Although the narrative for “The Sapphires” is sketchy, this
is an appealing true-to-life musical comedy. Aboriginal actor-writer Tony
Briggs has revised his 2004 stage play, which focuses on his own family
history, for the screen. Briggs’s mother, Laurel Robinson, was the lead singer
of an all-Aboriginal female soul quartet that bucked racial prejudice to tour
Vietnam in the last 60s, entertaining troops. Their names and many other
details have changed, but “The Sapphires” retains the story’s distinct cultural
and ethnic context. Jessica Mauboy, the ‘Australian Idol’ graduate and
platinum-selling recording artist, makes an impact via the film’s many bouncy
musical numbers, her voice a standout. However, much of the characterization is
fuzzy with the only clear characters being Chris O’Dowd’s boozy Dave and
Deborah Mailman’s tart Gail.
Sisters Gail (Mailman) and Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell) are on
their way to a local talent show, where their sweetly harmonized rendition of a
Merle Haggard favorite easily outclasses the competition, but fails to win over
the white judges. One man who is impressed, however, is the contest’s Irish
emcee, Dave (O’Dowd), an alcoholic would-be music promoter. When teen sister
Julie (Mauboy), the standout voice of the troupe but prevented from performing
by her protective parents, pleads with Dave to secure them an audition for a
gig entertaining US Marines in Vietnam, it’s not immediately clear why he
accepts. But the success of this movie is based on audiences not questioning
the logic of the narrative because in record time, Julie’s parents approve, the
girls recruit long-estranged half-caste cousin Kay (Shari Sebbens) as a fourth
member and Dave convinces the skeptical Gail that their calling lies in racy Motown
rather than sleepy country ditties. “The Sapphires” is an irresistible, if
unpolished, charmer from Aussie director Wayne Blair. 3/24/13
2 comments:
The true story is that only two of The Sapphires travelled to Vietnam, and only as backing singers for a New Zealand Maori band they met when performing in Melbourne, not as lead singers. Well only one went really. There were only three members originally, two who didn't make the trip. Laurel asked her sister who was not a member of the group to join her. And they were introduced to soul music by this band, not the fictional character Dave.
Briggs said in an interview in 2004 he told his mother and aunts that he had to change the story. Obvious why of course. The real story was not all that special, and is the reason these girls who are now being painted as superstars back in the 60's returned to obscurity when they came back to Australia. They were obscure, with not an ounce of fame in their real story.
Guess that's why the movie is inspired by a true story. It doesn't claim to be a true story. But it's entertaining, nonetheless.
Post a Comment