Song Sung Blue
A movie about a Neil Diamond tribute act could easily have descended into a vat of cheese, but there’s more than meets the eye (or premise) to Song Sung Blue. Based on the titular 2008 documentary, Craig Brewer’s latest offering is a touching look at the lives of Diamond devotees Lightning and Thunder.
Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman), ie “Lightning”, is in recovery for alcoholic dependence, celebrating his 20th sobriety birthday. The Milwaukee musician regularly performs alongside a group of misfits and fellow impersonators, including his pals Mark Shurilla (Michael Imperioli) as Buddy Holly and Sex Machine, aka James Brown (Mustafa Shakir). After falling in love with the effervescent Claire (Kate Hudson), initially a Patsy Cline imitator, he finds new meaning as a Neil Diamond impersonator. Except, Mark doesn’t view it that way: he is a self-styled Neil Diamond “interpreter”, complete with the hairdo and snazzy garb. Claire becomes his performing partner, and thus Lightning and Thunder are born.
What starts as a fairly by-the-numbers tale of a small-town band’s ascent to fame (Lightning and Thunder even have the opportunity to perform alongside Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder) succumbs to an emotionally wrought second act. The couple is hit by tragedy, and at this point, the tone of the film turns from feel-good musical to realist drama. Jackman and Hudson are fantastic at navigating this jarring tonal shift. Mike goes from an indefatigable optimist to a man lumbered with medical debt, leading to him working as a karaoke host in a Thai restaurant. Meanwhile, Claire retreats hopelessly into the home the couple shares with their blended family, with her daughter, Rachel (a wonderful Ella Anderson), becoming parentified as both her carer and provider.
An anti-jukebox musical of sorts, the film shows the stark reality of living with a debilitating medical condition. Writer-director Brewer admirably goes against the Hollywood template by showing that disability is not something to be cured, but rather, another aspect of the characters’ lives. But equally, it’s an uplifting tale of the transcendent power of music, bringing joy and meaning to people’s lives.
Though the music of Neil Diamond may not be everyone’s cup of tea, Song Sung Blue has universal appeal: it’s ultimately a moving love story about one man’s unrelenting devotion to his wife. Jackman and Hudson bring vigour and heart – and their impressive pipes – to this triumphant tribute to a remarkable musical couple.
Antonia Georgiou
Song Sung Blue is released nationwide on 1st January 2026.
Watch the trailer for Song Sung Blue here:
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