Song Sung Blue

Another mystery movie sneak preview, but going into it I was 99% confident it was going to be Song Sung Blue (secretly I was hoping for Marty Supreme)

And I wasn't jazzed. I didn't know much about the movie, but I knew I really wasn't in the mood for watching Hugh Jackman play Neil Diamond in some biography for two hours and fifteen minutes. I think they even unknowingly played the trailer before, given that it was a mystery, and it just didn't speak to me.

And as the opening credits rolled up came the words "Based on a true story". I scrunched up my nose. Wouldn't a biography be based on a true story? The last time this happened I was watching Twelve Years a Slave thinking it was Frozen.

The opening scene started with Jackman at an AA meeting. I'm thoroughly confused by this point.

It isn't until the second scene when you learn of the tribute band circuit and meet Hudson's spitfire of joy that it all starts to come together

To paraphrase Robert Downey Jr, Hugh Jackman playing a dude impersonating Diamond, I could be down with that.

But that's just the vehicle, the real story is one of love at first sight, fast and true and deep, the kind that utilized their shared passions not only as kindling but also a ladder to the to lift each other up to best of times and a anchor in the excruciating worst. And the beautiful thing is how infectious that love becomes as it heals their broken families in the process. There aren't many punches pulled here, and the fact that it's based on real life events makes it absolutely thrilling to experience.

I definitely caught myself tapping my toes, laughing out loud and gutted to tears in ways I never anticipated. I even had moments where I thought I was supposed to sing out loud. Some people did. Kudos!

So good So good! 8/10

Also, without a spoiler, one of the craziest ''cameos' by another musician that simply has to be seen to be believed.

Much better than your typical "based on a true story" movie. Kate Hudson really delivers an incredible performance adding a palpable extra dimension to her character on screen. Well balanced story telling, character development and a great cast quickly get you engrossed in the story and wishing for more.

This highly entertaining and unique musical story gives both Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson the opportunity to shine in complex character roles. While the theme, script, and direction occasionally feel a bit cheesy, the film ultimately delivers an authentic sense of realism as it explores the struggles of this family and their triumphant connection to music. (Your kids may also become Neil Diamond fans and you will probably find yourself pulling up his greatest hits on you Apple Music account on the drive home from theater.)

The director weaves in several interesting musical and historical elements in this biopic centered on a Neil Diamond impersonator. There is a fair amount of tragedy, a strong dose of well-crafted singing, and a genuine heart at the center of the film-one that has already earned Kate Hudson a Golden Globe nomination.

Somewhat surprisingly, Hudson often outshines Hugh Jackman, which is no small feat. Jackman remains authentic and committed in his singing, though his vocal range isn't as broad as Neil Diamond's, nor as strong as it was in The Greatest Showman. His performance here is more reminiscent of Les Misérables, reaffirming his status as an incredibly versatile singer-actor who brings depth and humanity to the role.

Glad to see this in the theater where the sound and singing come alive fully.

I'll admit, I walked into the theater with the wrong expectations. I expected a deep dive into the musical genius of Neil Diamond; instead, I was met with a love story that is strikingly real, raw, and human. While the music of Neil Diamond provides the soul of the film, the heart belongs to Mike and Claire Sardina.

Hugh Jackman is electric as the charismatic but haunted Mike "Lightning" Sardina, while Kate Hudson delivers a grounded, beautiful performance as Claire. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it's their portrayal of "Lightning & Thunder" navigating life's cruelest tragedies that truly resonates. This isn't just a movie about a tribute band; it's about a love so fierce it transcends physical and emotional trauma to knit a fractured family together. It's a tear-jerker, yes, but it's also a profound reminder of how one couple's bond can inspire an entire community.

A man, Lightning, and a woman, Thunder, find love and a chance at their dreams in together creating a tribute "experience" to Neil Diamond. They are working class people--and I expect there to be a wink by the filmmakers, a bit of condescension, "isn't this goofy?" tone. There is NO SUCH THING. This is a fun and uplifting and sincere and dramatic and refreshing film. Both Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson have tremendous voices and stage presence galore. Everybody else is great, too. Writer/director Craig Brewer is to be congratulated for turning his vision into great cinema. Great? Great!!!