Directed by: Craig Brewer
Written by: Craig Brewer, based on Greg Kohs 2008 documentary
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, King Princess, Ella Anderson, Hudson Hensley, and Michael Imperioli
Runtime: 133 minutes
‘Song Sung Blue’: Jackman and Hudson are ‘So Good! So Good! So Good!’
Neil Diamond, 84, has sold over 130 million albums worldwide, and this singer-songwriter legend has countless hits to his name, including, “Song Sung Blue”, “Cracklin’ Rosie”, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”, “America”, “Cherry, Cherry”, “Holy Holy”, and, of course, “Sweet Caroline”.
Neil retired from touring in 2018, but his music continues to thrive in the public consciousness, on music streaming services, in local pubs, and sports stadiums (i.e., “Sweet Caroline”).
On the West Coast, a Neil Diamond tribute band, Super Diamond, out of Northern California, has been playing live for decades, and this critic finally began to appreciate Mr. Diamond after first catching this band live during the late 90s/early 00s.
(Yes, Mom and Dad, you were right. Sorry for arriving late to the party.)
Director/writer Craig Brewer’s (“Hustle & Flow” (2005), “Dolemite Is My Name” (2019)) “Song Sung Blue” is a biopic about another Neil tribute band, one based out of the Midwest. Lightning & Thunder, from Milwaukee, became a hit during the 1980s and 1990s. Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) is Lightning, and Claire Sardina (Kate Hudson) is Thunder, and this devoted married couple passionately enjoyed playing Mr. Diamond’s music in front of thrilled (and when they started out, a few not so thrilled) audiences for years.
Director/writer Greg Kohs’ documentary, also titled “Song Sung Blue” (2008), chronicled Mike and Claire’s marriage and musical career, and one might ask why a tribute band would merit a documentary.
This critic didn’t catch the 2008 doc, but after watching Brewer’s 2025 film, it’s easy to see why.
The 2025 “Blue” is an inspiring story about passion for music and also commitment in the face of stark adversity.
First, let’s focus on the former.
Jackman and Hudson share delightful chemistry on and off-stage as an on-screen husband and wife and co-performers. Jackman’s musical background is well-chronicled, including a 2004 Best Actor Tony for “The Boy from Oz” and on the big screen with “Les Miserables” (2012) and “The Greatest Showman” (2017).
Kate Hudson’s singing career is more commercially recent with the release of her 2024 album, “Glorious”, although she’s famously linked to director/writer Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” (2000) as a Stillwater groupie, Penny Lane. (Although Penny Lane refers to herself as a band aide, not a groupie.)
Mike and Claire are dynamite – along with their band - at performing ND favorites. Hugh and Kate look like they are having a blast, and their infectious, positive energy is bound to reach movie theatre audiences as well. Cinematographer Amy Vincent captures Mike and Claire’s joy in close quarters during rehearsals and gorgeous, colorful feels from the front row of their concerts.
It seems like our two talented actors have been performing Neil Diamond songs for a decade.
(This critic watched a screener at home, but there’s no doubt that yours truly will see “Song Sung Blue” in a theatre during the holiday season, and let’s face it, I would throw down a sizeable chunk of change to catch Hugh and Kate on tour. Is there a taped two-hour performance of the real-life Mike and Claire out there as well?)
To avoid spoiling which Neil tunes they sing, the tracks will not be revealed in this review, including the single that Mike insists should always be their opening song.
Good things come to those who wait, right?
Here’s the good news: The “Song Sung Blue” soundtrack – in which, yes, Hugh and Kate sing - is available now (to stream), but do yourself a favor and wait until after watching the movie to listen.
Not only do the pair impeccably play the legendary sequined star’s hits, but Mike and Claire display a lovely dating courtship, where these on-screen 30-somethings flourish like college-aged romantics.
They just fit together.
Claire gives Mike direction. She’s intuitive and perceptive, and Mike appreciates her muse-like qualities. He thrives off her vibes, thoughts, and companionship.
For example, this is clearly demonstrated when they begin forming their band.
Claire says, “You don’t want to be a Neil Diamond impersonator. You want to be a Neil Diamond interpreter.”
Mike responds, “I was looking for the right way to say it, and you just came right out and said it.”
Mike, in turn, is Claire’s rock. Even though he isn’t very financially stable, he has good intentions, a home, and Mike is a caring, thoughtful light for Claire and her children. He has an ardent heart, even though our on-screen co-lead suffers from heart trouble.
From the get-go, this couple is exceedingly easy to cheer on for everlasting success, and Hugh and Kate seem to exude love and support for the real-life Mike and Claire.
We’re hooked.
We’re bought in, and admittedly, without these two recognizable stars leading the way, audiences would probably not be as enamored with this story if a pair of up-and-coming or working actors played Mike and Claire.
Granted, it’s terrific to see Fisher Stevens, Michael Imperioli, and Jim Belushi in lovely supporting roles, but Jackman’s and Hudson’s charm and dazzling showman/showwoman gifts elevate the movie’s appeal.
In fact, during the film’s first act, “Song Sung Blue” seems too lightweight. Even Mike’s daughter Angelina (King Princess) is BFFs with Claire’s daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson), and Claire’s young son (Hudson Hensley) looks up to Mike as a supportive, loving father.
Craig, Hugh, and Kate don’t offer difficulties in this blue-collar fairy tale, until they do.
No couple is adversity-free, and Mike and Claire are not an exception. A real-life incident the size of nearby Lambeau Field rocks the Sardina household, and the healing will not commence overnight.
The film’s tone drastically changes, and a significant portion of the 133-minute runtime dwells on hardship. In effect, the shift in ambiance feels overly melodramatic, like a middling Hallmark plot device. If one didn’t know “Song Sung Blue” is a biopic, groans, frustration, and impatience could quickly build like a drawn-out avalanche of barnacles methodically gluing themselves on a ship.
Instead, due to Jackman and Hudson’s charisma and dedication to the material, authentic empathy rather than exasperation will flow through invested moviegoers.
Will the good times come storming back for Lightning & Thunder, or will a cold reality permanently rain on Mike and Claire’s hit parade?
Well, we’re hoping that their good times are always “So good! So good! So good!”
Jeff’s ranking
3/4 stars
