The Sapphires (2012)
Average Rating: 6.9/10
Reviews Counted: 123
Fresh: 114 | Rotten: 9
While it's plenty predictable and sentimental, The Sapphires also has an irresistible feel-good vibe, winning music and charming performances to spare.
Average Rating: 6.9/10
Critic Reviews: 28
Fresh: 25 | Rotten: 3
While it's plenty predictable and sentimental, The Sapphires also has an irresistible feel-good vibe, winning music and charming performances to spare.
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Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 4,240
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Movie Info
Inspired by a true story, THE SAPPHIRES follows four vivacious, young and talented Australian Aboriginal girls from a remote mission as they learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group The Sapphires entertains the U.S. troops in Vietnam in 1968. Cynthia (Tapsell), Gail (Mailman), Julie (Mauboy) and Kay (Sebbens) are discovered by Dave (O'Dowd), a good-humored talent scout with a kind heart, very little rhythm but a great knowledge of soul music. As their manager, Dave books
Cast
-
Chris O'Dowd
Dave Lovelace -
Deborah Mailman
Gail -
Jessica Mauboy
Julie -
Shari Sebbens
Kay -
Miranda Tapsell
Cynthia -
Tory Kittles
Robby -
Eka Darville
Hendo -
Lynette Narkle
Nanny Theresa -
Kylie Belling
Geraldine -
Gregory J. Fryer
Selwyn -
Donald Battee
Myron Ritchie -
TJ Power
Lt. Jensen -
Tanika Lonesborough
Young Gail -
Nioka Brennan
Young Kay -
Tammy Anderson
Evelyn -
Miah Madden
Young Julie -
Ava Jean Miller-Porter
Young Cynthia -
Koby Murray
Baby Hartley -
Hunter Paige-Lochard
Stevie Kayne -
Meyne Wyatt
Jimmy Middleton -
Judith Lucy
Merle -
Annette Hodgson
Noelene -
Tom Whitechurch
Young Tommy -
Georgina Haig
Glynis -
Rhys Muldoon
Uncle Ed -
Barry Southgate
Singing Sailor -
A. Spencer Davis
Singing Sailor -
Rodney Todd
Ed's Bass Player -
Eric Rasmussen
Ed's Guitarist -
Julian Bel Bachir
Ed's Drummer -
Amy Miller Porer
Vera -
Clarence Thane
Bruce the Handyman -
Merelyn Anderson
Major Wicks -
Kim Quyen
Myron's Girl -
Hai Thao
Seamstress -
Hoang Hiep
Seamstress's Son -
Cleave Williams
Duggie -
Martin Farrugia
Max -
Ben Rodgers
Fish -
Jasper Sarkodee
Pinky -
Stuart Christie
Government Official -
Quan Tran
Vietcong Commander -
Wayne McDaniel
Lou McGarrick -
Beau Brady
Marine Sergeant -
Sam North
Young Marine
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All Critics (123) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (114) | Rotten (9)
The harmonies they strike in this reality-inspired charmer are sweetly sublime.
Top CriticYou could drive an Abrams tank through the film's plot holes, but you'll likely be too busy enjoying yourself to bother.
"The Sapphires" feels like a movie you've already seen, but it's nonetheless thoroughly enjoyable, like a pop song that's no less infectious when you know every word.
"The Sapphires" sparkles with sass and Motown soul.
Sapphires is hardly a cinematic diamond mine. But this Commitments-style mashup of music and melodrama manages to entertain without demanding too much of its audience.
It's pure joy.
By-the-numbers in every sense of the word, the film tracks a tried-and-true sort of triumph while featuring renditions of soul classics so bursting with energy and joy you won't care that the originality meter is leaning on empty.
Even when it seems contrived The Sapphires is a feel-good movie in the most positive meaning of that term, thanks to the Motown music and O'Dowd's cheeky charm. Like the Temptations, I loved every sugar pie, honey bunch moment. I can't help myself.
Unfortunately, it has been turned into a routine and uninspiring movie, following a tired, old formula the entire way.
A surefire crowdpleaser with all the ingredients for the type of little-movie-that-could sleeper success that Harvey Weinstein has nurtured in years and award seasons past.
You've seen this story before, but never pulled off with so much joie de vivre.
They can put a song across just like the Dreamgirls. What's not to like?
Exuberant but fairly formulaic.
Doesn't always mix its anti-prejudice message and its feel-good nostalgia with complete smoothness. But despite some ragged edges it provides a reasonably good time.
Director Wayne Blair -- another veteran of the stage show -- finds his footing during the film's many musical numbers.
Despite the prosaic plot and reserved approach taken by Blair, Briggs, and Thompson, it's tough to get cynical about such a warmhearted picture that strives to tell so uplifting a story.
A movie with enough melody and camaraderie to cover up its lack of originality.
Draining most of the blood, sweat and tears from a true story, this music-minded movie capably covers a song we've heard a hundred times before.
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Foreign Titles
- Les Saphirs (FR)
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