Song Sung Blue
Twenty years sober Vietnam vet Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) plays in a Three Dog Night tribute band and is the only white member of The Esquires, but he refuses to impersonate Don Ho at a Legends gig at the Wisconsin State Fair. That's where he notices Claire Stengl (Kate Hudson) and her impressive rendition of Patsy Cline and, wanting to do more of his own thing, suggests teaming up using his nickname of Lightning while dubbing her Thunder. But it is Claire who suggests mining the works of Neil Diamond, giving his songs their own spin in "Song Sung Blue."
Laura's Review: B
Writer/director Craig Brewer ("Hustle & Flow," "Dolemite Is My Name") caught Greg Kohs’ 2009 documentary about the Sardinas, also called "Song Sung Blue," and wondered how he'd never heard of this Midwest Neil Diamond tribute band who garnered such a following that Eddie Vedder (John Beckwith) contacted them to open for Pearl Jam when they stopped in Milwaukee. His resulting feature film is a joyous crowd pleaser about two people whose love of performance turned into love for each other. Jackman is fine as the part time mechanic who battles through setbacks before finally finding his niche with Claire, but the film belongs to a radiant Kate Hudson, whose Claire Stengl unites two separate families, then overcomes their biggest obstacle only to face another with grace. And Jackman and Hudson harmonize beautifully singing as well as acting.
It's amusing at first to see Hugh Jackman impersonating other acts in a bad wig, but Mike's conviction becomes evident when he has his dentist, Dr. Dave (Fisher Stevens), who also happens to be his manager, adorn a tooth with a lightning bolt, a detail Claire adores. Claire's teenaged daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson, TV's 'Henry Danger') isn't so easily won over, giving Mike the hairy eyeball, while the hair stylist's younger son Dayna (Hudson Hensley) proves an easier sell. Rachel is appalled when her mom arranges for her to spend time with Mike's daughter Angelina (King Princess), regarding it as an over-aged 'play date,' but when the two sit together on a swing set, they bond over their similar experience of having a parent chasing a particularly American dream. One of the film's more heartwarming aspects is how Rachel grows close to Mike, Claire's daughter the one he turns to for help with a debilitating heart condition when the show must go on.
A band is formed with their James Brown impersonator buddy, Sex Machine (Mustafa Shakir) and Buddy Holly impersonator Mark Shurilla ('The Sopranos'' Michael Imperioli) who becomes their guitarist and brings in manager Tom D’Amato (Jim Belushi), a warm-hearted guy full of enthusiasm if not the most prestigious rolodex. Once Claire convinces Mike that they really need to open with 'Sweet Caroline,' his preference for 'Soolaimon' nearly causing a riot in a biker bar, they build a fan base beyond their imagining. But just when they're soaring high, they face a life altering event, one which takes years to spring back from, Mike struggling as a karaoke DJ at a local Thai restaurant owned by the supportive Somechai (Shyaporn Theerakulstit).
Director of photography Amy Vincent ("Hustle & Flow") contrasts the everyday with the heightened magic of performance. Even when the couple are not on stage, Vincent creates an aura, particularly one of romantic intimacy when they first duet to 'Play Me' in Claire's living room. Costumes are appropriately sparkly and spangly, Jackson and Hudson's street wear looking sourced from the local K-Mart.
Brewer's filled out the Sardinas' story nicely, but can't resist a bit of third act dramatic license that goes too far, yanking us out of the lovely tale he's told, only to have his luminous leading lady pull him back from the brink. And if you think a movie about a Neil Diamond tribute band sounds too corny, you might just be in for a rewarding surprise. "Song Sung Blue" is a charmer.
Robin's Review: B+
In the late 1990s, Milwaukee-based Elvis impersonator Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman), is at a dead end professionally. Fellow impersonator Claire Stingl, who plays Patsy Cline, tells him he needs a new direction – as Lightning and Thunder: The Neil Diamond Experience in "Song Sung Blue."
In 2008, director-writer Greg Kohs made a documentary about Mike and Claire and their dedication to creating the Neil Diamond Experience, honoring the legendary singer. Director Craig Brewer takes the couple's story, stars Hugh Jackman, a known showman, and Kate Hudson (who is adorable, tragic and an inspiration) and creates the world not of impersonators but "interpreters" of Neil Diamond.
Words that I use to describe the present "Song Sung Blue" are; It is an old-fashioned, straightforward and honestly done biopic that invests the viewer into the lives, both professional and familial, of Mike and Claire. But, how the director and his actors get us there is the reason to watch. And, it does not hurt if you happen to like Neil Diamond songs – so good, so good, so good!
While Hugh Jackman – an actor known for "big" performances like "The Greatest Showman (2017)" – is the center character (notice, I did not say "central") in this story as a performer in conflict. He wants to be more than just an impersonator but cannot find the "hook" he wants and needs. This is where Claire comes into his life and is his inspiration.
The couple – yes, they marry – develop a local following in and around Milwaukee. They even, one day, get an invite to be the lead band for a Pearl Jam concert when they are in town and get to meet Eddie Vetter! Life is good for Mike, Claire and their two girls (from other relationships), Rachel (Ella Anderson) and Angelina (King Princess), and their son Dayna (Hudson Hensley). They buy a house and Claire brings color to their home by planting flowers.
Then, tragedy strikes. A driver loses control of his car and slams into Claire while she is gardening. She loses her leg. This is where the film and the story changes gears and real life intrudes on the family idyll. Claire gives up and Mike is overwhelmed by the challenge, as was I as I watched.
The tragedy, though, is only a part of the story. Mike, unknown to others, has a heart attack and does his best to cover it up. This, though, looms large in the story, which is better left to the viewer to watch unfold.
As expected, the stars are pros and give their all in creating Mike and Claire. There is great chemistry between Hugh and Kate and it comes through as you see an actual family coping with both the good and the bad in life. It is a story of ambition, dedication and resilience of a couple of average people who can sing.
Focus Features releases "Song Sung Blue" in theaters on 12/25/25.
