The Sapphires Reviews
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
St. Paul Pioneer Press
"Sapphires," which was inspired by a true story, is propelled by a strong sense of music's power to connect people and change lives.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Film Racket
Fires on all cylinders when it drops all pretense and allows its talented cast to simply belt out a series of pure, unfiltered slices of ear candy.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
Cinemalogue.com
A rousing soundtrack helps to compensate for some of the historical embellishments in this Australian crowd-pleaser.
Boston Herald
'Sapphires' got heart and soul
Full Review
| Original Score: A-
Screen It!
It might not possess the exuberant innocent fun of 'That Thing You Do!' or the overall brilliance of 'The Commitments' but 'The Sapphires' shines enough in its own right. (Complete Content Details for Parents also available)
Reeling Reviews
If you love the music of Motown and enjoy a feel good success flick, then "The Sapphires" fits the bill.
Full Review
| Original Score: B-
Top CriticLet's trivialize a legacy of cruelty and denigration, in a country where indigenous people suffered from centuries of human rights abuse! And let's make the carnage of Vietnam look like a paintball game!
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/4
Orange County Register
Delirious surprises crowd out the clichés in this thoroughly disarming movie.
Full Review
| Original Score: A-
[A] genial, entertaining, cliché-ridden showbiz story from Australia.
"The Sapphires" illustrates how the same old story - in this case, the one about a 1960s girl group and its struggles - can be freshened up through the novelties of place and characterization.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
A very conventional story of a '60s Australian girl group gains extra power from its context and setting in this fact-based story set to the beat of Motown soul.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
The performers improve it, or save it, depending on your viewpoint.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
RedEye
Mauboy has one hell of a voice, and the Sapphires' vocal performances speak to the endless power of great soul songs.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
Film-Forward.com
Irresistibly feel good, sound good movie, wears hearts and social relevance on its sparkly sleeve. . .Fun and racial tolerance amidst war [with] sterling aborigine talent.
Full Review
| Original Score: 7/10
NECN
The most affable, innocuous outing ever set in a war zone.
Full Review
| Original Score: B-
"The Sapphires" is a bit like a puppy you're trying to house break. It may have its bad cinematic moments but it's just so darn appealing that you have to love it.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
The Playlist
With O'Dowd in the lead, and a hit-soundtrack-ready selection of tunes from the Stax and Motown catalogs and more, The Sapphires is popcorn entertainment, with some earned laughs and a genuine heart.
Full Review
| Original Score: C+
Leonard Maltin's Picks
It helps that the leading actors are so skillful and appealing, beginning with Chris O'Dowd as a roguish Irishman who becomes the girls' manager...
Reeling Reviews
You've seen this type of tale many times before...but the inspired-by-a-true-story Aboriginal slant adds interest, the actresses create unique characters and Chris O'Dowd really shines.
Full Review
| Original Score: C+
