Starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as a Milwaukee couple who find unexpected success with their Neil Diamond tribute band, “Song Sung Blue,” now available in 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD, is the kind of film that feels good.
Mike Sardina is a Vietnam War veteran and former alcoholic who hasn’t had a drink in twenty years. The guitarist and singer, known by his stage name Lightning, earns a meager living playing in various musical groups, but knows that his dreams of glory are behind him at his age. One day, he meets Claire Stengl, a single mother of two children, a hairstylist, and a Patsy Cline impersonator in her spare time.
Sharing the same passion for music, they decide to form a Neil Diamond tribute band. Despite a rocky start, they eventually gain some recognition after being invited to open for Pearl Jam. The duo falls in love and gets married. They enjoy perfect happiness until the day Claire is hit by a car while gardening in front of her house. Will Mike’s unwavering support help his wife overcome the amputation of her left leg and return to the stage?
At first, as I am not a big Neil Diamond fan, I wasn’t particularly drawn to “Song Sung Blue,” but I must admit that the film pleasantly surprised me. Inspired by a true story (and the documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs released in 2008), the film presents itself as a biographical drama, a musical comedy, and a love story different from what is usually seen in cinemas, as the two main characters are in their fifties, which is refreshing. The screenplay immerses us in the world of musical impersonators, artists who may not have found their own voice and do not compose the songs they perform but have enough talent and passion to cover the songs of others. The resilience of ordinary people, the desire to shine, even on a small scale, or the power of music, capable of sublimating the most miserable of existences, are also showcased.
Director Craig Brewer’s (“Hustle & Flow” and “Coming 2 America”) realization works particularly well when focusing on the communal and almost artisanal aspect of Mike and Claire’s career. The improvised rehearsals in the garage, the concerts in bars or local fairs, as well as the enthusiasm of the audience, give the film an irresistible charm and authentic emotion. Hugh Jackman (Mike) reveals another facet of his talent here, showing vulnerability in several scenes. He shares obvious chemistry on screen with Kate Hudson (Claire), and the duo performs all the Neil Diamond songs heard in “Song Sung Blue.” The rest of the cast, including veterans like Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi, also deliver strong performances.
The high-definition version of “Song Sung Blue” includes the film on a Blu-ray disc, but does not include a code to download a digital copy, as is often the case. As for additional material, the edition offers a commentary track by director and screenwriter Craig Brewer, the full versions of two Neil Diamond songs performed by the actors, and three short featurettes. The first one has Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson discussing the partnership they developed during filming, which was necessary to make the film believable. The director discusses his fluid approach to directing inspired by jazz in the second one, while the last one is dedicated to Ernesto Martinez’s flamboyant costumes.
“Song Sung Blue” is a sincere tribute to the anonymous artists who continue to sing, regardless of the size of the stage, and it is not necessary to know or appreciate Neil Diamond’s repertoire to be enchanted by this touching film, which warms the heart upon viewing.
Rating: 7/10
“Song Sung Blue” Director: Craig Brewer Screenplay: Craig Brewer and Greg Kohs Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Ella Anderson, Hudson Hensley, King Princess, Michael Imperioli, and Fisher Stevens Duration: 131 minutes Format: Blu-ray Languages: English, French, and Spanish
