I admit to having a bit of a soft spot for Chris O’Dowd so I was happy to review The Sapphires in which he plays a prominent role. Based on a true story, this feel-good comedy follows the dreams of four soul-sisters struggling to make it big in 1960s Australia and is being released in time for Mother’s Day.
The synopsis is as follows: talented sisters Gail, Cynthia and Julie, and their wayward cousin Kay, have killer voices and attitudes to match. Performing in a talent show contest they catch the attention of Dave Lovelace (Chris O’Dowd), a down-on-his-luck Irish musician with a penchant for whisky and a passion for soul music.
It may not sound like a match made in heaven but Dave notices a sparkling talent in the girls and realises with a few changes they could be something special….they just need the right man to help them. Billing the band as the successors to ‘The Supremes’ Dave secures the girls their first real gig and flies them to Vietnam to sing for the troops.
As they embark on a hilarious journey of highs and lows, courage and commitment, friendship and family, they discover that all you need to succeed is a little heart….and a lot of soul.
I loved this film. Chris O’Dowd is brilliant, I recognised a lot of the songs and the film gave a really interesting insight into Australia in the late 1960s – which is why it would be the perfect Mother’s Day gift for my mum!
The DVD includes some special features, including the Making Of, Character Profiles: Dave (Chris O’Dowd), Gail (Deborah Mailman), Julie (Jessica Mauboy), Cynthia & Kay (Miranda Tapsell and Shari Sebbens), interview with the original Sapphires and featurette: Shooting in Vietnam.
The Sapphires is out on DVD from 4th March (RRP£15.99)
