It’s not often that a film genuinely and movingly captures those on the outskirts of fame with as much heart as Song Sung Blue. Based on an inspiring true story that most people aren’t aware of, Song Sung Blue focuses on the struggles of a couple of cover artists who perform at state fairs, crowded bars, and even a Thai restaurant. Fame’s not the goal. Instead, they’re chasing the transformative feeling of singing in front of an audience.
The music-driven film, named after Neil Diamond’s 1972 hit, opens with the introduction of Mike Sardina (Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman), a musician who goes by the stage name “Lightning.” When we first meet Mike, he’s describing his stage persona as a mix of Chuck Berry, Barry Manilow, and The Beatles – a rocking god. It’s only after he lets his performance persona slip that we meet the real Mike: a divorced man celebrating 20 years of sobriety at an AA meeting, struggling to find a way to pay his mortgage, and trying to be a stable father for his daughter.
Mike’s life finds its rhythm when he meets Claire (Oscar nominee Kate Hudson). Hudson plays Claire – a Patsy Cline stylist and part-time hairdresser – with a grounded, luminous warmth that feels incredibly lived-in. Their meet-cute isn’t a sizzling encounter; it’s a quiet, flirtatious conversation backstage where she suggests he stop doing the Don Ho covers he loathes and start channeling Neil Diamond.
Mike’s immediate reaction is to dismiss the idea; he holds Neil Diamond in high regard and doesn’t feel worthy. However, when Claire suggests that he “interpret” Neil, Mike realizes she’s on to something.
The chemistry between Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson is the film’s heart and soul. Mike and Claire’s romance isn’t flashy; it feels like two real people who have been through the wringer and finally found a partner who shares the same dreams. When they eventually join forces as “Lightning & Thunder,” you aren’t just rooting for their act; you’re rooting for them to succeed and find happiness as a blended family. Part of the film’s strength, and why it makes its way into the most cynical of hearts, is the quiet dignity Jackman and Hudson give to these characters based on real, decent people.
Tribute artists are too often unfairly maligned, but that’s not the case with Song Sung Blue. It would have been easy to toss in a few lighthearted jabs at a guy so unfailingly committed to his Lightning persona to the point of sporting one on a fake tooth. The movie treats Mike and the other tribute artists’ passion with total respect. There’s a fantastic sequence where Lightning & Thunder end up opening for Pearl Jam, and seeing Mike’s earnest, sequined Neil Diamond persona win over a grunge crowd is really moving. It reminds you that good music transcends genres and that demographics aren’t set in stone.
The film doesn’t stay in the feel-good zone since its plot is based on the emotional roller coaster of the true story. The real Mike and Claire’s lives took a few incredibly bleak turns, and Song Sung Blue shows them dealing with sudden tragedy, followed by the desperation of handling massive medical bills and the grueling reality of physical and mental recovery. It’s in the movie’s more heartbreaking moments that Hudson and Jackman really deliver.
Hudson’s portrayal of Claire’s descent into depression following a devastating, life-altering accident is raw and painful to watch. And Jackman’s performance as a father and husband desperately trying to hold his family together while hiding his own failing health is equally poignant. When Mike describes singing the songs people need because they are the songs he needs, Jackman delivers the line with an honesty that perfectly encapsulates the film’s message.
The entire ensemble is terrific, with standout performances from Michael Imperioli (The White Lotus) as a Buddy Holly impersonator who’s instrumental in helping Mike and Claire book gigs and Mustafa Shakir (Love Hurts), utterly engaging as a James Brown impersonator. Ella Anderson (Suncoast), Hudson Hensley, and King Princess (Nine Perfect Strangers) are impressive as Mike and Claire’s children who make up the blended family. Fisher Stevens (Succession) is entertaining as a dentist/Lightning & Thunder’s manager, and Jim Belushi (The Chronology of Water) has a handful of fun scenes as a tour bus driver with casino connections.
John Beckwith (Three Women) appears in the small but pivotal role as Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and nails it.
The costumes are outstanding, capturing Lightning & Thunder’s take on Neil Diamond’s wardrobe and vibe. Of course the soundtrack’s impressive since it’s full of Diamond’s catchiest tunes, including “Sweet Caroline,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Cherry, Cherry,” and “Play Me.” You can’t go wrong with a Neil Diamond playlist. The real Mike was a huge fan of Diamond’s lesser-known song “Soolaimon,” and audiences are going to have a tough time getting that single out of their heads thanks to the film’s multiple performances of it.
Song Sung Blue, written and directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow), manages to balance humor with the heavy reality of addiction and loss. It suggests that lightning can strike twice, sometimes with good fortune and sometimes with devastating tragedy.
Song Sung Blue is a soul-stirring, bittersweet tribute to the “interpreters” of the world who keep going, no matter the hardships or challenges thrown their way. By acknowledging the power of music, the film conveys the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of following your dreams, and the beauty of finding a second chance at love.
GRADE: A
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
Release Date: December 25, 2025
The post ‘Song Sung Blue’ Review: Jackman and Hudson Shine in This Heartfelt, Soul-Stirring Musical Drama appeared first on ShowbizJunkies.
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