Film Review – Song Sung Blue (2025)

      **Song Sung Blue, 2025**

      Written and Directed by Craig Brewer

      Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Shyaporn Theerakulstit, John Beckwith, Cecelia Riddett, Jayson Warner Smith, Sean Allan Krill, Kena Anae, Darius Rose, Chacha Tahng, Faye Tamasa, Carey Van Driest, and Tom O’Keefe.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      Lightning and Thunder, a husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute duo from Milwaukee, face remarkable success and painful heartbreak throughout their musical journey together.

      The first portion of Craig Brewer's biopic, Song Sung Blue, which features a Neil Diamond tribute act portrayed by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, falls into familiar musician tropes, with a somewhat intriguing twist: these performers are cover artists. While this concept is already disappointing, the latter half takes a turn for the worse, cramming in unforeseen twists and subplots that are poorly handled. The emotional impact feels muddled due to the clumsy execution, leaving viewers puzzled rather than moved. A significant character suffers a tragic accident that results in a disability, yet the film glosses over it; for a stretch of about 30 minutes, it's overly sentimental, then virtually disregarded. At times, it becomes easy to forget what befell this character.

      Derived from Greg Kohs' documentary, the film's shortcomings go beyond Craig Brewer's inability to manage certain narrative elements with the necessary sensitivity and depth. The film attempts to address issues like alcoholism, heart problems, tragedies, and family dysfunction but does so through superficial scenes that lack any sense of authenticity or honesty. Even the highs that the characters experience seem forced and unrealistic (the inclusion of a young Eddie Vedder is simply absurd). Additionally, sad moments are delivered with comedic predictability. Song Sung Blue stands as an embarrassing attempt to lure award nominations, yet it could serve as an unintentionally comedic riff reminiscent of Walk Hard. The ending practically writes itself when it comes to mean-spirited jokes involving car accidents.

      Mike (Hugh Jackman), a veteran soldier, has maintained his sobriety for 20 years. While celebrating this milestone, he insists on singing Neil Diamond’s iconic song. When he is prevented from performing Neil's music at a small venue, he storms out, missing out on the paycheck. He then meets Claire (Kate Hudson), a Patsy Cline tribute artist, and they quickly develop an attraction. As they visit her home, he struggles to bond with her rebellious teenage daughter, Rachel (Ella Anderson). In an effort to connect, he brings in his estranged daughter Angelina (King Princess), whom he wishes he could see more often, hoping the two girls will become friends. Meanwhile, Claire's younger son Dayna (Hudson Hensley) is supportive of their romance and even encourages their rockstar vibe.

      With some charming dialogue that makes their developing relationship believable, Mike and Claire eventually become Lightning and Thunder. Despite Mike’s frustration over audiences wanting only “Sweet Caroline” or their unfortunate gig at a biker bar indifferent to Neil Diamond's music, they manage to find sporadic success. Eventually, they attract the attention of Eddie Vedder, which convinces Rachel that her potential stepfather might actually be cool.

      While these themes are already cliched, they do not even begin to prepare viewers for the misguided and tonally inconsistent lows that the band and family experience, which are presented in an equally clumsy manner. There are poorly executed time jumps that disrupt the pacing and emotional weight of several subplots, leading one to question if this was originally intended to be a three-hour film before being trimmed to just over two (not that I would want to endure such an extended version). Mike frequently experiences heart palpitations, serving as a repetitive signal that further tragedy is imminent. Still, the awkwardness of the worst moments written into the story is startling.

      Even if the events depicted here happened in reality, they are presented in a cinematic way that feels emotionally forced and hollow, as if Craig Brewer focuses solely on the major plot points instead of developing the characters involved. The performances (both the acting and musical renditions) and costumes are the only aspects of Song Sung Blue that remain intact.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★**

      Robert Kojder