SONG SUNG BLUE (2025)

Based on a documentary of the same name, SONG SUNG BLUE is the story of Lightning and Thunder a duo who made waves being an interpreter of the music of Neil Diamond. Hugh Jackman plays Mike Sardina, aka Lightning, and Kate Hudson is his wife Claire Sardina, aka Thunder.

And before you think you know how this goes, you don't. There are the sort of twists that only life can throw at us and have us believe it, because it's true. I mention this because I know a number of people who have gone into the fim thinking they knew where it was going only to find they didn't (they hadn't seen the documentary or knew the story).

Hugh Jackman is great as Mike. He is playing into his strengths being able to sing and act and play to the crowds. This is peak Jackman. Kate Hudson is amazing as Claire. Its a complex role and she nails it.  I'd like to see her do another musical.  The rest of cast is also excellent, and I do need to mention Jim Belushi who again shows that he is now one of the great character actors working today.

My feelings for the film are all over the place.  There are some glorious moments in this film. I mean there are some the best moments you'll experience at the movies all day. The mix of story and song and performance mix together to create something special. At the same time way the story doesn't always work. What seems to be a simple story becomes something complex in the second half and I'm not sure if director Craig Brewer modulates the shift correctly. The tone in the second half didn't feel right. I'm not sure if it's the director or the script which speeds up some of the events. I was moved at times, but I was also disconnected at others.  The best way to describe it is as if the film wants to use a crowd-pleasing Hollywood framework to tell a story that is much too complex for that sort of telling.

I also need to mention that the one thing that haunted me about the film from early on. Even though I loved a lot of the film the one thing I kept thinking was "why are they telling me this story." While I know it's a great showcase for the performers, I never had a sense of there being a reason for this story to be told. What does the film do that the documentary didn't do? I'm not sure.

I know I sound cranky and that I hate the film, but the truth is I do like the film, but I wanted to love it.

Definitely worth a look- but be aware your mileage will vary.