I have been a music fan since I was a kid, listening to a variety of genres that my three elder siblings played, especially during their teen years. So, I grew up hearing Neil Diamond’s music, among the many of those of a certain age or any generation for that matter. I say this because I saw the advance viewing of the film one evening and the next night, I went to hear a group of friends performing at a local restaurant. It was so amazing to see the scene in the film when the audience goes ‘wild” and ready to sing along to “Sweet Caroline” come to life right before my eyes, just as it had in the film. People stood up from the restaurant seats, singing along and fists in the air. The band plays a variety of music in English and Spanish – they are not a tribute band nor celebrity impersonators – but they do know their audience. This experience confirmed what I had thought after the film screening – the public is really going to enjoy Song Sung Blue and the nostalgia it likely will bring.
Directed and written by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Dolemite Is My Name, Coming 2 America). The film is a feature adaptation of the 2008 documentary “Song Sung Blue” by director Greg Kohs. The documentary follows the lives of Mike and Claire Sardina (played by Oscar nominees Hugh Jackman (The Greatest Showman) and Kate Hudson (Glass Onion, Almost Famous), In the late ’80s and ’90s they performed as Lightning (Mike) & Thunder (Claire). They created the duo after each had been a celebrity impersonator but decided to become Neil Diamond “interpreters” instead of “impersonators” as noted by Mike in the film.
They married and became a blended family. The three children are portrayed by Ella Anderson (Suncoast), Hudson Hensley, and King Princess (Nine Perfect Strangers) who are all impressive in their performances as they grow alongside each other, watching the parents perform in the greater Milwaukee area. They wear great costumes while they shine on stage as Lightning & Thunder, inviting the audience to partake of Neil Diamond’s music. Kate Hudson is nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
The chemistry between Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson appears to be authentic with the highs and lows of life. The script is a good balance of humor, and it does not stray from the reality of tragedy and ultimately, loss.
Additional Cast: Michael Imperioli, Mustafa Shakir, with Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, some strong language, some sexual material, and brief drug use. Running Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
SONG SUNG BLUE opens in theaters nationwide on Thursday, December 25.
Source: Focus Features
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