REVIEW: ‘Song Sung Blue’ Is Part Lightning, Part Thunder, And A Lot Of Heart

Kevin Verma
1 hour ago
3 min read

Song Sung Blue © Focus Features — *Song Sung Blue* © Focus Features

A musical biopic about a Neil Diamond tribute band sounds like the ultimate safe Christmas movie formula. You expect the sequins, the "Sweet Caroline" sing-alongs, and the standard rags-to-slightly-nicer-rags trajectory. But Song Sung Blue, directed by Craig Brewer, actually manages to be something much grander and more affecting than the plot suggests. It’s a surprisingly charming and emotional flick that stops just short of being great, but it’s definitely worth the price of a ticket this holiday season.

At its heart, this is a love story about Mike and Claire Sardina (the real-life "Lightning & Thunder"). Hugh Jackman is absolutely adorable as Mike. He plays him with this stern yet sweet "working-class dad" persona that makes you instantly fall in love with him, even when he's being a bit thick-headed. Then you have Kate Hudson, who genuinely gives one of her best performances in years. She plays a struggling wife, mother, and singer who goes through an absolute ringer of emotional and physical trauma. Together, their chemistry is electric; you really buy into them as two broken people finding a second act together.

Song Sung Blue © Focus Feature — *Song Sung Blue* © Focus Feature

What surprised me most was Craig Brewer’s direction. We’ve seen him do the "music as salvation" thing before with Hustle & Flow, and here he finds a way to sidestep the most eye-rolling biopic clichés. On paper, this movie is a formulaic minefield, but the script has this ability to surprise you and hit you right in the gut when you least expect it, especially if you don’t know the story. The story is an incredibly sweet one moment and then it goes somewhere totally outrageous or tragic the next. It strikes a really impressive balance between genuine laughs and heavy-duty emotions.

The production value is solid across the board. The makeup and hair are fantastic, and the costumes feel authentic to that specific grit. Though the supporting cast doesn’t get a lot to do and is just there to support the story of our leads, Ella Anderson stands out and is super impressive as Claire’s daughter; she holds her own against two massive movie stars. Although it feels like the right decision not to go on unnecessary tangents with the supporting characters, and keep the focus on our leads.

All that said, the movie isn’t perfect. It does feel a little glossy at times, but the ‘Hollywood’ treatment of the story does mostly work. While we see the characters struggle, the film doesn’t always go deep into their psychological dark places. It gives you enough to sympathize with their pain, but it stays in the shallow end of the pool emotionally. It also lacks a spark or a really big, ambitious swing that would have turned it from a good time at the movies into a masterpiece.

That said, the singing sequences are impactful, and the pacing keeps things moving so you never feel the runtime. I’m not even a Neil Diamond fan, but the film serves as a beautiful tribute to his catalog. By the time the credits roll, you might find yourself sobbing (bring tissues), but the movie makes you smile way more than it makes you cry. Is it a groundbreaking piece of cinema? No. Is it a heartfelt, charming, and surprisingly real story about people chasing a dream that most of the world would find silly? Absolutely. It’s the perfect vibe for this time of year — warm, a little messy, and full of heart.