Movie Review - The Sapphires

The Sapphires (2013)

Starring Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, and Miranda Tapsell 

Directed by Wayne Blair

***This film is currently streaming on Netflix***

There's something very generic about The Sapphires, an Australian import about a quartet of Aboriginal teens and twentysomethings in the 1960s who, after singing together their whole life, form a Motown-style music group.  It's Dreamgirls-lite, if you will.  However, despite the fact that it certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, I enjoyed my time getting to know the true story of these ladies and their musical journey which takes them to Vietnam during the war in order to entertain the troops.

Chris O'Dowd is the only "name" in the cast and he takes on the role of Dave Lovelace, manager to this quartet of ladies -- three sisters and a cousin.  O'Dowd provides the humor, but he also is a bit of a father figure to the young group who come to him for advice that he's not afraid to dole out in the slightest.  The actresses that make up the quartet are unknowns to me with Deborah Mailman playing the oldest sibling Gail, nicely embodying the "mother" role.  Gail starts as the lead vocalist for the group, but when Dave pushes the ladies to take on the Motown sound he soon comes to the realization that the youngest sister Julie is the true star which certainly causes a bit of tension amongst the group.  Julie is played by Jessica Mauboy, an Australian Idol finalist, and she's got one heckuva voice.  Acting-wise, she's not asked to really do much beyond sing, so I'll reserve judgment until we see something else from her, but she certainly does a fine job with what she's given.

The Sapphires really isn't anything special, but there's something calming and heartwarming here despite its simplicity.  Considering it's streaming on Netflix, if you're looking for something "nice" or are in the mood to hear some great 60's music, you could certainly fare worse.

The RyMickey Rating:  C+