Chris O'DowdThe Sapphires

I know what DVD I'll be giving at Christmas this year - The Sapphires! I don't think I ever heard of this movie. I came across it accidentally while looking for another film.In a way, it is similar to 'The Commitments,' an Irish film that finally bursts into soulful Motown music, bringing the viewer to the dance floor, even when there is no room to dance. Hearing the Irish actor Chris O'Dowd speak with his Irish accent clinches the deal, even though he was not in the Commitments, which was made in 1991. That film is a cult film now and worth seeing again and again. The Sapphires deserve to be a cult film, too.I appreciate the themes woven together in The Sapphires: Australian racism, American racism, the cruelty of the Vietnam war, the sense that we were fighting a war on the other side of the world and how many young men (and women) fought there in a foreign culture, exposing themselves to danger, at the same time they took over someone else's country with deadly weapons. I lived through those years. The boys I dated in high school and my own brother had to face the draft and possibly be sent to fight. It was a cruel and frightening lottery for a kid graduating from high school to face.Watching this film made me think that covid-19, a natural virus much like any other infectious agent that attacks humans, is the worst thing that has happened in the 2020 year, and it is no one's fault. We blame anyone we don't happen to like (the Chinese, the President, the big drug companies, etc.) but it is a natural event, much like the flu pandemic of 1918. A friend of mine is very elderly and I reminded her that her own mother and father went through that flu pandemic and survived to raise a family and live long lives. My friend did not remember that catastrophic time ever being mentioned or discussed in her large family. So much for that catastrophe - as far as she was concerned.Instead of natural catastrophes, The Sapphire presents the viewer with what we already lived through - vividly, affecting our lives and emotions - and it makes our complaints about the government and President seem ridiculously weak in comparison. We lived through a time when going to school meant you learned you might have to hide under your desk immediately if we were bombed (Bay of Pigs), and a tremendous amount of public violence and mayhem happened right in front of the eyes of the viewing public (so convenient that the shock and entertainment value of the drama led to conspiracy theories):- a President was fatally shot and his elegant wife covered in his blood. On television. This was a man who was reviled and adulated, both intensely.- his assassin was shot (Lee Harvey Oswald) by Jack Ruby.- his brother was assassinated (Robert F Kennedy)- Martin Luther King was assassinated- Malcolm X was assassinatedAll of these things spanned years and yet I believe Americans generally consider themselves to be a peaceful citizenry and it is the other emerging economy countries that have serious problems. We don't think that all the riots we've experienced are much more than memories now. They prove we have problems (but we're working on them) and life goes on. It does go on!All the more reason to love The Sapphires. In reality, two of the singing girls group did not go to Viet Nam because they opposed the Viet Nam war. The movie makes some adjustments to the narrative - and does not try to make war feel like random violence which is all controlled very well by the professional military. It is chaotic. As the Sapphires make their way to the next gig, traveling in a truck, you see the our soldiers guarding prisoners by the side of the road, with sacks over the heads of the prisoners. Just another night at war. We also watched a lot on television in those days - and learned of the My Lai massacre. The war was on the news every night. Every night!In the midst of all of this, which we don't worry about as being particularly meaningful to our lives today (unless you lost someone to the war or in street violence at home while riots took place), these girls trusted a white Irish man to shepherd them through a strange country with the threat of violence always waiting somewhere. They sang and enjoyed singing and brought enjoyment to people who wanted to hear something live and lively. Or sad and soulful. Or just worth dancing to.What a great story! For the most part, a true story, which makes it even greater. We went through so much at that time - but even some of the protest marches had a joyful aspect. 2020 has the coronavirus, which is terrible, but a natural scourge. We had all of the above listed violence and turmoil, and survived, like the Sapphires.

good entertainment

Love the Vietnam era music and plot. Based on a true story and don't want to give plot away but this movie made me fall in love with Chris and his talent and charm. Saw it at before "Bridesmaids" came out and I don't think it made the big screen in the US as it was about in Australia. Ms. Maupin belts out a tune with soul and the frequent musical performances take me back to the music of the 1960s. A feel good love story set in with some drama. I've worn out one copy and had to replace it!

Took a chance on this movie. With it being a "down under" film I decided to tolerate the language difference being only used to the American vernacular. This film is a hidden sleeper. What's a sleeper? Finding an obscure film and being totally surprised by how magical it is. It happens, somehow or another but I had no clue about this film and it turned out to be an incredible watch. I won't go into great details but it's a feel good, romantic deeply moving human adventure. I can't say enough but give yourself some personal time to chill, get your favorite snack and loved one and be prepared to be blown away.

My wife has watched this movie five or six times since we got it in the mail, and has watched it several times when she can find it on TV.Chris O’Dowd is one of my favorite actors. He should get an award for this role.If you get a chance watch “The IT Crowd” with Chris O’Dowd. It’s a great comedy series.

After initially reading the reviews that cited the Anchor Bay packaging of "The Sapphires" I was a little skeptical of the critics' sensitivity. Having now seen the film I will concede they have a point. Racist may be an extreme description but the distributors may have been a little misguided. My sense is they were selling this as a vehicle for Chris O'Dowd who has made his screen presence known in "Bridesmaids" and "This is 40" but in my mind hasn't achieved star status just yet. Some say his role is a supporting one but that is misleading because he is the lead male of the film and the winsome lasses playing the Sapphires are his co-stars. It is a little food for thought when O'Dowd's face is front and center on the case with the Sapphires clearly in the background bathed in blue and white light to obscure their true complexion. The film itself is above average. It keeps to the age old formula of rags to riches with a few potholes along the way. The Sapphires perform the standard Motown/Stax repertoire that are the stock in trade of films of this kind and do it with buoyancy. I believe the actress who played Julie, Jessica Mauboy, was either a contestant or winner of "Australian Idol". Truth be told I thought they were at their best singing the Merle Haggard song and I'm not a Country and Western fan. I recommend this film because it sheds light on the plight of the Aborigines as it existed not so long ago and may exist to some degree today. Primarily, though, I was floored by the performance of Deborah Mailman who played Gail the eldest of the Sapphires. In a brassy turn Mailman possessed poise, brains, and beauty and felt that she held the screen terrifically. If everything were fair and equal she deserves to be a star.

Unexpectedly great movie! True story about aboriginal young women from Australia who learn to sing soul music for the troops during the Viet Nam War. The music and the story line make it fun. Yet the tragedy of the war and racism is always present in the background.

All good true story!

It is loosely based on a true story. I though that it is good movie. I just wish that it was a true. But still enjoy the story and the actors were great.

Un excellentissime film qui n'a pas eu le succès qu'il méritait.Il est issu du cinéma d'auteur australien. Présenté comme cela, ce n'est pas vendeur.Mais vous trouverez dans ce film une époustouflante bande son 100% soul, avec la reprise de nombreux standards.La B.O. mérite à elle seule le détour.Le film a beaucoup d'humour, et les actrices emportent rapidement la sympathie.Bref, un excellent film que je vous conseille vivement!

Die Geschichte von vier Mädels die, während des Krieges, nach Vietnam gehen um dort für die Amerikanischen Truppen zu singen ist eine gute Story und zudem eine wahre Geschichte! Natürlich ist sie entsprechend für das Filmpublikum Aufbereitet und hat entwas Märchenhaftes an sich.Die Geschichte beginnt im Hinterland von Australien Mitte der 60ger Jahre. Zwei Schwestern, Gail und Cynthia sowie ihre Kusine Julie nehmen an einem kleinen Talentwettbewerb in einem Pub teil den sie allerdings verlieren, nicht weil es ihnen an Talent mangelt, sondern weil sie den Aborigines, den Australischen Eingeborenen angehören. Im Pub lernen sie den etwas herutergekommenen Dave Lovelace kennen, der für sie ein Probesingen bei den Amerikanern arrangiert, die Showacts für Vietnam suchen. Er probt mit den Mädels die Verstärkung durch ihre Cousine Kay, eine hellhäutige Aboriginie die als Kind von den Behörden der Mutter wegnommen wurde um als weiße Aufzuwachsen ( zur damaligen Zeit eine gängige Praxis in Australien). Er schweisst sie zu einer Truppe die sich fortan "The Sapphires nennen" zusammen. Schließlich bekommen sie ihre Chance in Vietnam zu singen, doch dort ist alles etwas anders als sie es sich vorgestellt haben.Ein alter Streit zwischen Gail und Kay eskaliert, Kay verliebt sich in einen schwarzen GI, Gail und Dave verlieben sich ineinander, Cynthia lässt die Sau raus und Julie, die Jüngste, die ihr Kind in der Obhut ihrer Tante zurückgelassen hat um Karriere zu machen und für sich und ihr Kind eine gesicherte Existenz zu schaffen hat Angst vor dem Krieg der um sie herum stattfindent und mit dem sie unweigerlich konfrontiert werden als das Camp wo sie sich Aufhalten angegriffen wird....Das dieser Film in Australien alle Filmpreise des Jahres 2012 gewonnen hat ist wahrlich nicht verwunderlich. Auch International hat der Film einige Preise abgestaubt. Verdanken hat das der Film der Darstellerriege, der Geschichte und der Hammermäßigen Stimme von Jessica Mauboy! Ich würd da glatt noch einen Stern drauflegen!Zur DVD: Gute Ausstattung, leider keine englischen Untertitel nur deutsche (würde es wirlich ein Vermögen kosten das zu Untertiteln???) Dafür ein paar Extras: Ein Making of, ein Interwiev mit der Original The Sapphieres Truppe durch den Sohn von Laurel Robinson (Julie) und ein Interview mit Jessica Mauboy über sie Lieder im Film!Fazit: Kaufempfehlung!

good movie

Wenn Dave Lovelace(Chris O'Dowd) etwas hat, dann ist es Selbstvertrauen. Das war es dann aber auch schon. Dave klimpert ein wenig auf der Orgel herum und betreut Talentwettbewerbe im Australien des Jahres 1968. Auf einem dieser Wettbewerbe trifft er auf die Aborigine Schwester Gail(Deborah Mailman), Julie(Jessica Mauboy) und Cynthia(Miranda Tapsell). Die Mädchen können singen und Dave lässt sich breit schlagen für sie eine Nummer anzurufen, die für die US-Truppenbetreuung in Saigon Künstler sucht. Zum Vorsingen stößt die vierte Schwester Kay(Shari Sebbens) zur Truppe und tatsächlich erhalten die Schwestern den Zuschlag. Kurze Zeit später sind sie in Saigon und ein aufregendes Abenteuer beginnt...Ja, das ist ein bisschen wie die -Dreamgirls-, aber doch ganz anders. Wayne Blair hat seinen Film -The Sapphires-, inspiriert durch eine wahre Begebenheit, mit Lastwagenladungen voller Herzblut auf die Filmrolle gebannt. Es gibt phantastische Musik, eine Handlung, die lustig und berührend zugleich ist und eine Aborigines-Familie, die fürs Kino geradezu erfunden wurde. Nebenbei zeigt der Film, unter welchen Bedingungen die Aborigines seinerzeit gelebt haben und zieht Parallelen zu den Verhältnissen zwischen Schwarz und Weiß in Amerika.Nicht zu vergessen ist Chris O'Dowd. Selten wurde ein Loser sympathischer dargestellt. Dazu vier toughe Schwestern, die wissen was sie wollen und unglaublich starke Musik machen. Für mich war das ein echter Film-Leckerbissen der im Jahr 2012, zu Unrecht, etwas unterging. Aber man kann das heute ja nachholen. Ich lege ihnen diesen Streifen jedenfalls ans Herz, denn genau dort gehört er hin.