Song Sung Blue

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!!!

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.

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.

This movie should be seen by everyone whether you love Neil Diamond or not. It has tremendous heart, charismatic and brilliant performances, great chemistry between Kate and Hugh. You'll laugh and prob cry but never a dull moment or false note. The young actors were all great and so fun seeing Michael Imperioli, Jim Belushi, Fisher Stevens . Look out for the oscar noms on this one!!

From alcoholic baseball fans who won't stop singing "Sweet Caroline" even when you tell them to for just one inning to that old guy in your building who still plays and quietly weeps to his cherished vinyl of "The Jazz Singer," except for "Saving Silverman" and that part you generally skip in "The Last Waltz" this is the ultimate film for Neil Diamond fans. As Milwaukee Neil devotee Mike, Hugh Jackman trades his Logan lamb chops for that amazing Neil hairdo you usually only see on Mexican detention officers to sing Diamond's hits with a true showman's devotion; his maniacal, Wolvie-like intensity just makes one wish that proposed 'Klaus Kinski as Wayne Newton' biopic had gotten off the ground. And Kate Hudson with her usual 'entitled python about to devour a litter of kittens' charm just shines as his fellow devotee and wife Claire. They truly are Lightning and Thunder, and they got the way to move me. This is going to be the monster hit of the holidays, and they come to America (only to be shipped right back) for "Song Sung Blue."