The advertising for the movie Song Sung Blue features Hugh Jackman, singing Neil Diamond songs, while dressed in an approximation of Neil Diamond, at least to the point where I get the sense that some are under the impression that the film’s a full-on Diamond biopic.
It’s a biopic of a Neil Diamond tribute singer, Mike Sardina, a Vietnam veteran and recovering alcoholic who performed with his wife Claire (Kate Hudson) as a tribute act called “Thunder & Lightning” in the 1990s and early-2000s. They were from Wisconsin—though the film was mostly shot in New Jersey—and each had daughters from their previous marriages. Diamond, it appears, cooperated enough to allow the use of his entire catalog.
The real-life duo, which was the subject of a documentary of the same name in 2008, had a more success than tribute acts typically do, even once opening (and performing with) Pearl Jam. They weren’t, I gather, nearly as good-looking as either Hugh Jackman or Kate Hudson. But the couple also suffered serious adversity, including an accident for one of them and heart trouble for the other; Mike frequently suffers minor heart attacks and quickly recovers, much like Chris Farley in the old “Da Bears” sketches. Plus, even the most successful of tribute bands don’t make much money.
Song Sung Blue was directed by Craig Brewer, the director behind Hustle & Flow and Dolemite is My Name, films that’ve focused on underdog performers; he also made the Coming to America sequel and the Footloose remake. This goes in about the middle of his filmography, although he knows his way around a musical performance. The film, for its first and third acts, is an inspirational, fun story of these adorable underdogs, cheerfully singing Diamond tunes to adoring audiences, with Hugh Jackman doing a lot of heartfelt singing. The second act is a dark parade of miseries. There’s a lot I liked here, but the film has trouble juggling those divergent tones. And there’s the odd teen pregnancy subplot involving Jackman’s daughter (Ella Anderson), which resolves itself comically easily.
Hudson’s the highlight of the film, giving one of her best performances, Wisconsin accent and all. It’s a turn that doesn’t give the impression that she’s going all-in to win an Oscar. Jackman’s trying to recapture the magic of the last Christmas release in which he sang (2017’s surprise hit The Greatest Showman).
The supporting cast consist of the suddenly ubiquitous-again Jim Belushi and Michael Imperioli. The guy playing Eddie Vedder looks and sounds nothing like him, but at least his shirt is accurate. The Diamond songs are mostly well-chosen and well-presented, although “America” is not featured, in case you were looking for a shot of nostalgia for the Dukakis ’88 campaign.