Film Review - Song Sung Blue
Images courtesy of Universal Pictures.
If there is one musical artist in the world who has the ability to bring people together, it is Neil Diamond. Blast ‘Sweet Caroline’ at any bar or stadium and people will put aside all grievances and sing their hearts out in unison. Song Sung Blue, which follows a real-life Neil Diamond tribute band, is not only a testament to the artist himself, but more so the way music and love can bring purpose to life.
Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) is a Don Ho impersonator, who meets Claire (Kate Hudson), a Patsy Cline impersonator performing at the same venue. Looking for something more exciting, Mike quits after Claire suggests he go down the Neil Diamond route. The pair start seeing each other and as they fall in love, they also form their Diamond tribute act, Lightning and Thunder. After getting married, they have a lineup of successful shows and become quite the sensation in their city of Milwaukee. Lightning and Thunder continue to garner more acclaim, but Mike and Claire’s dreams are cut short when a devastating accident occurs and tears their entire career and family apart. As obstacles continue to pile on top of them and life gets in the way, their passion for music still remains, despite seeming completely out of reach.
A film about a Neil Diamond tribute act may not sound incredibly enticing on paper (some may have expected a biopic on the singer instead), but Song Sung Blue is a surprisingly moving and uplifting true story. The soundtrack features many of Diamond’s iconic hits, from the lesser known ‘Soolaimon’, to, of course, ‘Sweet Caroline’ (which Mike humorously hates singing because he believes there is way more to Diamond). While the film undoubtedly celebrates Diamond’s work, it is the love story between Mike and Claire that stands firmly at the film’s forefront and leaves Diamond secondary. Hugh Jackman proves he really is the ‘greatest showman’ with a riveting lead performance, and one of the best of his entire career. Hudson is equally excellent in what may be her best performance, as her character goes through a number of emotional highs and lows. Together, Jackman and Hudson are a match made in heaven, with their vocal abilities matching their dramatic ones. Ella Anderson, who plays Claire’s daughter Rachel, is undoubtedly the standout of the supporting cast. The story is as joyful as it is heartbreaking, and serves as a reminder to dream big and follow your passion, because lightning could strike at any time.
Song Sung Blue is sure to be the crowd-pleasing film of the New Year. It really is “so good, so good, SO GOOD!”.
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Song Sung Blue is screening in cinemas now. For tickets and more info, click here.