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The Sapphires

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The Sapphires

PG-13

Released Mar 22, 2013

1h 43m

Musical

Comedy

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

138 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A would-be music promoter (Chris O'Dowd) sees something special in a girl group of four Australian singers and takes them to Vietnam to perform for American troops.

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Critics Consensus

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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Francesca Steele

Independent (UK)

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.

Aug 11, 2017

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Joe Neumaier

New York Daily News

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.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2014

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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Exuberant but fairly formulaic.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 12, 2013

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Oti

For Your Reference Podcast

A heartwarming blend of light and shadow, beautifully juxtaposing joyous-soulful music with the era's stark realities.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 8, 2024

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KT Mahe

For Your Reference Podcast

The Sapphires is a solid entry into Indigenous cinema from so called Australia. There is a considered balance to addressing topics like the Stolen generation with the levity of music, love and family.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 8, 2024

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a mostly affable yet entirely generic endeavor that benefits from its solid performances and rousing musical numbers...

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 13, 2023

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Susan R

Totally sentimental guff 🙄 Jesus anymore sugary I would become a diabetic! Sorry Chris I do love you in Vienna dropping the snow globe! , go there again ??

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/01/25

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Jacqueline M

One of the most feel good cheesy Glorious, funny. Sad films I've seen for a while .engaging from the start to the end Beautiful women, beautiful voices, wonderful story line . Definitely will watch again

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/20/24

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chris l

This is a great movie! The music and the true story are amazing!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/23

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Roy V

There's something in the Australian water, in her wild environs, in her wastelands, in her history, that allows for both aboriginals and convicts to forge a character that's inimitable! Her actors and producers are tier one!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/16/23

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steven c

Not quite as good as the Commitments, but a similar type of story. Chris O'Dowd is hilarious and the four girls are terrific singers and actresses. The story pulls you along with lots of laughs and some very thoughtful insights into the plight of the Australian Aborigines. In particular, the tragedy of the separation of children from their culture and families was new to me. The connections between the Australian situation and the plight of blacks and First Nations people in North America was brought home in a clever way using the Stolen Generation and the Vietnam War as a backdrop. But despite this, the movie is not preachy or depressing. It's a thoroughly enjoyable flick that sends you away hopeful, laughing, and thinking; a very nice accomplishment.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Although some fairly horrible stuff happens in this movie, it's the one I turn to when I need to feel better. I've watched it at least 6 times. The story comes across as sincere and true to life, and I love the music. One-two-three, one-two-three!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Wayne Blair

Director

Chris O'Dowd

Dave Lovelace

Deborah Mailman

Gail

Jessica Mauboy

Julie

Shari Sebbens

Kay

Miranda Tapsell

Cynthia

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Synopsis

A would-be music promoter (Chris O'Dowd) sees something special in a girl group of four Australian singers and takes them to Vietnam to perform for American troops.

Director: Wayne Blair
Producer: Rosemary Blight, Kylie de Fresne
Screenwriter: Keith Thompson, Tony Briggs
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Goalpost Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Sexuality|A Scene of War Violence|Smoking|Some Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 43m

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