The Sapphires (2013)
85%RT Audience Score: 76%
Awards & Nominations: 27 wins & 26 nominations
While it’s plenty predictable and sentimental, The Sapphires also has an irresistible feel-good vibe, winning music and charming performances to spare
If you’re looking for a movie that will make you feel good and tap your toes, then The Sapphires is the perfect pick. Sure, it’s a bit formulaic and has some plot holes you could drive a tank through, but who cares when you’re having this much fun? The music is infectious, the characters are lovable, and Chris O’Dowd is hilarious as always. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and let The Sapphires take you on a soulful journey.
Production Company(ies)
Stanley Kubrick Productions,
Distributor
Weinstein Co.
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for sexuality, a scene of war violence, some language, thematic elements and smoking
Year of Release
2012
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 43m
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Language(s):English, Aboriginal
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 2013 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 6, 2013
Genre(s)
Comedy/Musical
Keyword(s)
starring Chris O’Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell, Tory Kittles, directed by Wayne Blair, written by Keith Thompson, Tony Briggs, Comedy, Musical, PG-13, Rosemary Blight, Kylie de Fresne, Weinstein Co., box office gross $2.4M, reviewed by Francesca Steele, Joe Neumaier, Marjorie Baumgarten, Lisa Kennedy, Michael Posner, Jeff Shannon, PG-13 rating, music promoter, girl group, Australian singers, Vietnam, American troops, Aboriginal, racism, civil rights struggle, soul music, period music, feel-good vibe, uplifting, charm, performances, Motown
Worldwide gross: $20,423,628
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $26,330,640
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,600
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,871,389
US/Canada gross: $2,450,867
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,159,718
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,930
US/Canada opening weekend: $38,372
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $49,470
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,212
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $10,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $12,892,244
Production budget ranking: 1,566
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $6,942,474
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $6,495,922
ROI to date (est.): 33%
ROI ranking: 1,232
Deborah Mailman – Gail
Jessica Mauboy – Julie
Shari Sebbens – Kay
Miranda Tapsell – Cynthia
Tory Kittles – Robby
Director(s)
Wayne Blair
Writer(s)
Keith Thompson, Tony Briggs
Producer(s)
Rosemary Blight, Kylie de Fresne
Film Festivals
Cannes, Telluride, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
27 wins & 26 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (139) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (127) | Rotten (12)
This feelgood flick will almost certainly be an international hit and it is undeniably uplifting, the joyousness of soul music smoothing out the odd shifts in tone that arise as a result of the strange genre conflict.
August 11, 2017
Francesca Steele
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This charming Australian import has a groove much like other low-key, let’s-put-on-a-show indies such as Hear My Song and The Commitments, and never uses its social conscience as simply backbeat.
January 1, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Joe Neumaier
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
Exuberant but fairly formulaic.
April 12, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
The harmonies they strike in this reality-inspired charmer are sweetly sublime.
April 5, 2013 | Rating: 3/4
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
TOP CRITIC
You could drive an Abrams tank through the film’s plot holes, but you’ll likely be too busy enjoying yourself to bother.
April 5, 2013 | Rating: 3/4
Michael Posner
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
“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.
April 4, 2013 | Rating: 3/4
Jeff Shannon
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
Its got a great beat, and you can dance to it, so Ill give “The Sapphires” four out of four stars.
February 6, 2022
Joe Leydon
The Moving Picture Show
A mix of drama and dance, triumph and tragedy, it will take a hard-of-heart audience member not to be swept up by the story.
December 7, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz
…it is rare to come across a movie with such sweetness, a movie in which one roots wholeheartedly for the characters and wishes them only the best.
August 13, 2020
Joanne Laurier
World Socialist Web Site
Slightly lacklustre in drama but sassy and lighthearted, The Sapphires is an enjoyable film and is a pretty good platform to show the power of Motown.
November 25, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Katie Smith-Wong
Flick Feast
The Sapphires is a genuinely feel-good film that has grit as well as laughter, and some great music which packs enough emotional power to make the tears flow – in a good way.
August 27, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Alexa Dalby
Dog and Wolf
The Sapphires possesses all the necessary razzle-dazzle, shimmering sequin dresses and O’Dowd comic riffs to prove popular with audiences.
August 23, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Joseph Walsh
CineVue…
Plot
1968 was the year that changed the world. And for four young Aboriginal sisters from a remote mission this is the year that would change their lives forever. Around the globe, there was protest and revolution in the streets. Indigenous Australians finally secured the right to vote. There were drugs and the shock of a brutal assassination. And there was Vietnam. The sisters, Cynthia, Gail, Julie and Kay are discovered by Dave, a talent scout with a kind heart, very little rhythm but a great knowledge of soul music. Billed as Australia’s answer to ‘The Supremes’, Dave secures the sisters their first true gig, and flies them to Vietnam to sing for the American troops. Based on a true story, THE SAPPHIRES is a triumphant celebration of youthful emotion, family and music.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Chris O’Dowd plays the would-be music promoter who takes the girl group to Vietnam in The Sapphires.
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