Film Review: The Sapphires

This film was a first in more ways than one.

For starters, it was a generally happy film. The main location, the mission in the country wasn't bleak, it was welcoming, a place you'd want to go to and stay with the people who live there.

The story is set in Australia, in 1968, and therefore against the backdrop of racial inequality and ignorance. Even so, the main characters of the story, sisters and cousin, Gail, Julie, Cynthia and Kay (portrayed by Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell and Shari Sebbens, respectively) are all talented singers, determined and most importantly, passionate about their life and family.

Their journey starts with a talent show in town, which is unfairly judged and the compere of the event is a very drunk/hungover Dave Lovelace (portrayed by Chris O'Dowd) who recognises their obvious talent and declares that he will help them. With the proviso that they stop singing country and western songs and sing soul instead.

Quite literally, as it turns out.

Considering his aforementioned state, the girls are quick to doubt him, but the youngest is keen and quick to spread the enthusiasm.

Before long, the girls are heading to Vietnam, to entertain the troops. Many lessons are learnt along the way and it is a journey that you feel honoured to accompany them on.

This story is hopeful, sad, a marvel. It has love, loss, family, friends. Many laughs and there will be tears but it is a truly memorable Australian film and well deserving of the AACTA awards that it won.

What really makes this film special, just to add to the list, was that it is based on a true story.

This film is an instant classic and hopefully, will be the first of many.

Comments

  1. Film & TV Commentator19 February 2013 at 02:57

    “Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush has been appointed president of the new Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) to “celebrate screen excellence" Down Under. The King's Speech star helped to launch the Academy in Sydney on Thursday and announced that the inaugural Aacta Awards would take place at the Sydney Opera House in January.
    During the launch, Rush also unveiled a gold statuette, featuring a base made of polished tiger iron, which will be presented to the winners of Australia's version of the BAFTAs next year. The veteran actor said he was "honoured to represent our industry" and insisted it was time to celebrate “the brilliance and originality” of Aussie talent. He added, "(Aacta will) galvanise the craft and talent this country endlessly produces.” Australia is about to join the Oscars and BAFTAs in the big league of awards with the formation of our own Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.
    The so-called AACTAs will replace the AFI Awards and move into the all-important January slot, where they can become a part of the international conversation and influence the end-of-season prize giving.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Film & TV Commentator19 February 2013 at 03:01

    This quote comes from another film that is also based on true events, a little sad but also makes you laugh.
    “Margaret 'Toots' Brawne: [explaining to the bookseller why her sister Fanny wants to get John Keats' latest poem book] My sister has met the author and she wants to read it for herself to see if he's an idiot or not.”

    And the second comes from another classic film:

    “Timon: Gee. He looks blue.
    Pumbaa: I'd say brownish-gold.
    Timon: No, no, no. I mean he's depressed.
    Pumbaa: Oh.”

    ReplyDelete

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