The harmonies they strike in this reality-inspired charmer are sweetly sublime.
- Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post, April 05, 2013
You could drive an Abrams tank through the film's plot holes, but you'll likely be too busy enjoying yourself to bother.
- Michael Posner, Globe and Mail, April 05, 2013
"The Sapphires" feels like a movie you've already seen, but it's nonetheless thoroughly enjoyable, like a pop song that's no less infectious when you know every word.
- Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times, April 04, 2013
"The Sapphires" sparkles with sass and Motown soul.
- Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 04, 2013
Sapphires is hardly a cinematic diamond mine. But this Commitments-style mashup of music and melodrama manages to entertain without demanding too much of its audience.
- Linda Barnard, Toronto Star, April 04, 2013
It's pure joy.
- Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic, April 04, 2013
It's a sweet little tale, and that co-writer Tony Briggs is the son of one of the real-life singers adds to the heart-tugging. In the end, though, it's not quite enough to sustain a feature-length film.
- Rafer Guzman, Newsday, April 04, 2013
The Sapphiresshouldn't gleam as brightly as it does. The up-from-struggle story follows the predictable form of movies like these, from Dreamgirls to The Commitments. But there's such a sense of joy ... that it's hard not to be won over.
- Cary Darling, Dallas Morning News, April 04, 2013
Let's trivialize a legacy of cruelty and denigration, in a country where indigenous people suffered from centuries of human rights abuse! And let's make the carnage of Vietnam look like a paintball game!
- Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer, March 28, 2013
[A] genial, entertaining, cliché-ridden showbiz story from Australia.
- J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader, March 28, 2013
"The Sapphires" illustrates how the same old story - in this case, the one about a 1960s girl group and its struggles - can be freshened up through the novelties of place and characterization.
- Ty Burr, Boston Globe, March 28, 2013
A very conventional story of a '60s Australian girl group gains extra power from its context and setting in this fact-based story set to the beat of Motown soul.
- Nell Minow, Chicago Sun-Times, March 28, 2013
The performers improve it, or save it, depending on your viewpoint.
- Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, March 28, 2013
"The Sapphires" is a bit like a puppy you're trying to house break. It may have its bad cinematic moments but it's just so darn appealing that you have to love it.
- Charlie McCollum, San Jose Mercury News, March 26, 2013
Why resist?
- , Village Voice, March 22, 2013
While the fish-out-of-water story remains a little overused, the sweet soul music still provides a terrific hook.
- Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger, March 22, 2013
For the most part Aussie director Wayne Blair's feature debut is snappy and fresh.
- Sara Stewart, New York Post, March 22, 2013
A solid, stirring song sung with more sincerity than polish.
- A.O. Scott, New York Times, March 21, 2013
Despite some predictable facets, The Sapphires shines brightly.
- Claudia Puig, USA Today, March 21, 2013
You could call it an Aussie Dreamgirls. I'd call it a blast of joy and music that struts right into your heart.
- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone, March 21, 2013
