The Sapphires Review
RYAN: Hello, The Sapphires! This movie is kind of coming out of nowhere. It’s not a major release. It hasn’t sparked too much buzz and in a year without any musicals, here it is and I love, love, love this movie!
CAROLINE: Ok, breathe. Tell me all about it.
RYAN: It’s based on the story of four real-life women who are Australian Aboriginals that became a famous girl-group, singing to the troops in Vietnam in the late 1960’s.
CAROLINE: So the music must be good – all oldies?
RYAN: Some of the best. I already bought the soundtrack. These are not girls anyone will know here but they can sang! They’re feisty, clever and fun. And the movie works on every level – emotionally it scores high points for humor and for sadness. I teared-up, I LOL’d, I was completely invested and literally, my face hurt from smiling so much during it. It’s just the best Australian movie I’ve seen since Muriel’s Wedding in 1994.
CAROLINE: We love that movie. That says a lot.
RYAN: Really. It’s most exciting because I just love musicals and I haven’t seen any slated to come out this year after having a fair few last year. This pops up and really hits the spot.
CAROLINE: We do love a good musical.
RYAN: The first song in the film is incredible. The girls are just, you know, chillin at home and they start to harmonize and it’s magical. It’s a very strong script and well acted, and that includes Chris O’Dowd.
CAROLINE: I love him. He’s the cop boyfriend from Bridesmaids.
RYAN: Yes. He’s the lead and he’s terrific. You know, it reminds you a bit of Dreamgirls but with a happier vibe. But some of it is quite harsh – specifically all of the racism these women faced. The discrimination is terrible but they develop thick skins.
CAROLINE: Yeah and it wasn’t that long ago things were that bad. There’s even the whole Stolen Generation that happened then in Australia. Terrible.
RYAN: That’s a part of the story. So the stakes are high and this movie holds you in the palm of its hand. There’s even a great dance montage when they’re learning choreography that’s fun.
CAROLINE: That’s cool. What’s your bottom line?
RYAN: War movies are the one genre that I really dislike and though this does involve some war aspects, it’s really a musical comedy. I’d love to see a stage adaptation and I’m sure I’ll see this movie many more times. If you like a good, fun musical – you’ll love this as much as I did.
