Review of The Sapphires (2012) by Panta O — 10 Jun 2013

What a gorgeous Australian movie, based on the 2004 stage play of the same name which is loosely based on a true story. Engaging story about four indigenous women, Gail (Deborah Mailman), Julie (Jessica Mauboy), Kay (Shari Sebbens) and Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell), who are discovered by a looser musician working as a talent scout (Chris O'Dowd) will grab you from the first beat and take you to the end with such an ease, that you'll think that movie is much shorter than 1h 39 min. I enjoyed well developed characters in the story in which The Sapphires are travelling to Vietnam in 1968 to sing for troops during the war. Of course, everything was made for masses, to be likeable and easy to digest.

The Sapphires made its world premiere at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May 2012 during its midnight out of competition screening. It has the right combination of dorky-dirty warmth (especially at the last part) and excellent performance energy which keeps the show going regardless the holes in the script. Charismatic and pleasant to watch feel-good movie.