The Sapphires 2013

As the sun sets over 1968 Australia, sisters Gail and Cynthia embark on a journey to the town square, their voices harmonizing in perfect sync as they prepare to take the stage at a talent contest. But their younger sibling Julie, burdened by the weight of her own responsibilities, is forbidden from joining them, a decision rooted in her youth and the reality of her already being a young mother. Undeterred, she employs cunning to secure a neighbor’s assistance, and soon finds herself shoulder-to-shoulder with her sisters at the very same contest.

Meanwhile, Dave Lovelace, an Irish talent scout reeling from a hangover-fueled morning, is summoned by his boss for an impromptu meeting. Despite having merely rolled out of bed mere feet away from their office, he’s taken to task for his tardiness - a habit that stems from the very same nocturnal rituals that have become an all-too-familiar ritual. As fate would have it, this chance encounter with the Lovelace boys sets him on a collision course with Gail and Cynthia, whose stunning performance fails to yield the recognition they so richly deserve. The judges’ scathing critique: “Pack it up, girls - you’re not cut out for the big leagues.” Yet Dave, an aficionado of talent, recognizes the sisters’ innate gifts and sees an opportunity too good to pass up.

As word of their potential spreads, Gail and Cynthia are whisked away to Melbourne, where they’ll audition for a chance to perform for the troops stationed in Vietnam. The news is met with trepidation by their mother, who worries about the safety of her daughters on foreign soil. But the girls, fueled by determination and the promise of adventure, are resolute in their decision to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Back at home, whispers of their journey spread like wildfire, drawing the attention of family members and old friends. Among them is Kay, a cousin who’s spent the past decade in Melbourne, her experiences shaped by the government’s draconian policies towards half-white children - a painful chapter that would later become known as the Stolen Generations. Initially hesitant to join the girls on their quest, she eventually succumbs to the allure of family and music, meeting up with Gail and Cynthia at their uncle’s humble abode.

As the days tick by, The Sapphires - a name coined by Kay in a moment of inspiration, drawn from Cynthia’s now-defunct engagement ring - hone their craft, their collective talent blossoming like a rare flower. But amidst the camaraderie and shared triumphs, cracks begin to appear in the sisters’ otherwise unshakeable bond: Gail assumes the role of overprotective matriarch, while Cynthia finds solace in a newfound romance with a member of their military escort. Meanwhile, Kay struggles to reconcile her dual identities - those of her indigenous heritage and her experiences as a “half-caste” - amidst the whirlwind of courtship by an Army medic.

Julie, still reeling from the aftermath of her own personal crisis - the sudden dissolution of her engagement - finds it increasingly challenging to process the brutal realities of war. As The Sapphires’ popularity soars, Gail and Dave’s feelings for each other begin to simmer just below the surface, yet the former’s patience is pushed to its limits by his reckless behavior and a deeply personal secret.

As the Sapphires arrive at the highly anticipated venue, devoid of military accompaniment, Julie’s exceptional vocal prowess becomes the main draw for a prominent U.S. talent scout. Meanwhile, Cynthia’s discontent boils over, and she indulges in excessive revelry during the initial performance, much to the dismay of her bandmates. Gail intervenes, sternly reminding Cynthia that her erratic behavior will not be tolerated again. Just as the tension is palpable, Dave discreetly hands Gail a letter, instructing her to open it later. As they share a tender moment, poised on the precipice of a romantic gesture, the base is suddenly beset by attack.

In the aftermath of chaos, Dave prioritizes evacuating Gail and Cynthia to safety via helicopter. He then returns to rescue the remaining band members, only to be struck by gunfire. Gail bears witness to this harrowing event, her concerns for Dave’s well-being superseded by a desperate desire to reach his side. As they make their way to Saigon, Kay and Julie secure passage on Kay’s boyfriend’s medical evacuation helicopter, where they are met with an unsettling display of racial hostility from a dying white soldier.

Once safely in Saigon, Gail finds solace in Dave’s letter, only to realize that he had planned to propose to her. The gravity of their situation is tempered by the women’s invitation to perform that evening, following the tragic assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Gail takes center stage, her voice soaring as she copes with the crushing loss. Kay’s boyfriend arrives, bearing news of Dave’s recovery and a heartening prospect: a swift return to Australia, where the Sapphires will regroup and refocus.

As the group prepares for their next chapter, Gail and Dave announce their plans to marry to her family, amidst a backdrop of joyous celebration. The Sapphires reunite with friends and loved ones in the warmth of their own backyard, their harmonies intertwining as they perform a lively tribute to their shared experiences and triumphs.