Reviews
Song Sung Blue
Casting Hugh Jackman in a musical after one of my biggest guilty pleasures, The Greatest Showman, automatically ensures that I will be sat, even if that musical is about a Neil Diamond tribute act. Perhaps the most surprising thing about Song Sung Blue is that it is based on a real life story which, given some of the things that occur, feels quite frankly preposterous. Still, just because there are some outrageous turns of events, it does not mean Song Sung Blue is an automatic slam dunk this Christmas season.
Inspired by a documentary of the same name, Song Sung Blue has been adapted for the big screen by co-writer and director Craig Brewer. It tells the remarkable story of Mike and Claire Sardina, whose act Lightning and Thunder propelled them into relative stardom, particularly in their hometown of Milwaukee during the 80s and 90s. It is far from plain sailing for either of them though, as they juggle the many setbacks that plague their journey, taking audiences on an emotional rollercoaster that mirrors what they themselves endured.
Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) is a middle aged Vietnam veteran who has struggled with severe addiction issues since returning home, most notably alcoholism. We meet him at one of the many Alcoholics Anonymous meetings we see throughout the film as he celebrates his twentieth year of sobriety before heading off to his nightly gig performing as a musical legend at the Wisconsin State Fair. Plagued by the feeling that he is capable of more than life as a fair performer and obsessed with his Lightning persona, Mike has lofty dreams that are further ignited when he meets Claire (Kate Hudson). She is about to perform as Patsy Cline, and their instant chemistry soon leads to them teaming up as a Neil Diamond tribute act humorously named Lightning and Thunder.
As both their personal and working relationship begins to blossom in front of our eyes, even they could not have predicted the journey ahead. Starting out in small pubs, word quickly spreads about the duo’s performances, particularly their rendition of the phenomenon that is Sweet Caroline, which would be an instant viral hit today. The first half of the film which shows their meteoric rise from relative nobodies to local superstardom, culminating in them being asked to open for a young and upcoming Pearl Jam, is where Song Sung Blue is undoubtedly at its most enjoyable. It is ridiculously cheesy at times, but it is also charming, and that’s even coming from someone like me who isn’t really a fan of Neil Diamond beyond Sweet Caroline.
Just as both the film and their lives seem to be on the up, tragedy strikes their newly formed family. Claire suffers a devastating accident that results in an amputation, leaving Mike to care for his step-children Rachel (Ella Anderson) and Dayna (Hudson Hensley). As he struggles to make ends meet, Claire’s mental health also deteriorates rapidly as she attempts to recover from the catastrophe. Unfortunately, this is also the point where Song Sung Blue begins to decline, slipping into a box ticking exercise that hits many of the familiar musical biopic tropes audiences have grown accustomed to.
It is in this second act that the film loses almost all momentum and rushes through several key issues. Certain family struggles are hammered home relentlessly and take up far too much screen time, while others, such as Rachel’s unplanned pregnancy, are introduced and resolved almost within the same scene. The result is something that feels both chaotic and sluggish at once, with the goodwill and energy built in the first half nearly evaporating as the film marches toward an ending that feels inevitable from the opening moments.
As the tonal whiplash of the second half builds and the duo eventually return to the road, yet more so called unexpected tragedy strikes, leaving me wondering when it would finally end. That said, the final performance does provide a much needed spark, especially for Neil Diamond fans, and is likely to leave a smile on your face as some of his greatest hits play out. Even so, it is not quite enough to elevate Song Sung Blue to the level I expected going in.
Despite its long list of faults, there is still a lot to like about Song Sung Blue, particularly the performances from Jackman and Hudson. Their on screen chemistry is among the most believable of the year and even when working with fairly mediocre material, they manage to elevate it. Jackman is no stranger to musical roles like this, but he still manages to surprise here. For me though, it is Kate Hudson who stands out most, delivering yet another genuinely stellar performance.
Song Sung Blue may not be the undeniable slam dunk I hoped for this holiday season. Still, despite its predictability and tendency to drift into overly familiar territory, it offers a relatively entertaining family movie going experience. It highlights several key societal issues while providing a sentimental look at a duo who, for a time, took Milwaukee by storm, particularly for devoted Neil Diamond fans.
