Can a major Hollywood star have another breakthrough role later in life? Because that's what it feels like watchingKate Hudsonas a talented Midwestern pop-rock singer in "Song Sung Blue."
Inspired by a popularNeil Diamondtribute act, director Craig Brewer's sentimental drama (★★½ out of four; rated PG-13; in theaters Dec. 25) isn't your average music biopic − even though it, in many ways, plays like others we've seen, for better or for worse. In the case of "Song Sung Blue," the performances overshadow a tonally imbalanced, straightforward life story. Fortunately, Hudson andHugh Jackman, in total showman mode, make up for the narrative shortcomings as the '90s dynamite duo Lightning & Thunder.
Mike Sardina (Jackman), an alcoholic Vietnam vet 20 years sober, is a Milwaukee singer who likens his Lightning persona to a rock god "like Chuck Berry, Barry Manilow and the Beatles, all rolled into one." But he hasn't found the right musical fit and is trying to get out of singing Don Ho songs at the state fair when he meets Claire Stengl (Hudson).
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She's a part-time hairdresser with dreams of performing as well – she can sing the heck out of a Patsy Cline tune, by the way – and she immediately hits it off with fellow divorcé Mike. He hatches the idea to be a Neil Diamond "interpreter" rather than an impersonator ("I've gotta be Neil, but I've gotta be me," Mike figures) and she signs on as his partner, in music and romance.
With the help of a couple of managers (Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi) and Mike's old guitarist friend (Michael Imperioli), Lightning & Thunder becomes a local hit that keeps getting bigger (almost too quickly for believability). By the time they open for Pearl Jam – at Eddie Vedder's request – the pair is a full-fledged phenomenon.
Meanwhile, Mike and Claire get married and combine their families. However, every time they begin to have professional success, life smacks them down – for example, Claire getting run over by a car while gardening in their front yard – and they have to find a way to come back stronger together.
But the whiplash is real as the movie bounces from feel-good numbers in the Neil Diamond songbook to just utter heartbreaking tragedy. The first half of "Song Sung Blue" sparkles so much that, when it takes a serious turn and then tries to come back from the brink, it rings bittersweet rather than rousing. While it's ultimately an inspirational tale of two passionate musicians, the film doesn't sugarcoat anything.
Brewer, best known for "Hustle & Flow," crafts varying performances − from intimate duets in the living room to huge stage numbers with a band and choir – that make the most of his two leads' musical skills. Jackman is a Broadway star who's tailor-made for roles like this, where his rock-star flair and charm seem effortless as he croons "Soolaimon" while the wind blows through his well-coiffed hair and silky shirt.
Singer and songwriter Neil Diamond's music career spans five decades, marked by beloved hits and global acclaim. A look back at his years in music ahead of the Diamond-inspired movie "Song Sung Blue," starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Here, Diamond is seen in London for his first British concert during a tour of Europe in 1971." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The musician concentrates during a chess game in 1972." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond relaxes with his guitar in 1979, shortly before making his film debut in a remake of "The Jazz Singer."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond, left, and Waylon Jennings, second from right, get makeup while shooting a video in Nashville on Jan. 16, 1996, for their duet "One Good Love." The tune appears on Diamond's "Tennessee Moon" album." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amanda Peet and performer Neil Diamond arrive at the premiere of "Saving Silverman" on Feb. 7, 2001, in Westwood, California. Diamond makes a cameo in the movie." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond performs on the "Today" show on May 6, 2005, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond sings the national anthem prior to Super Bowl XXI between the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 25, 1987, in Pasadena, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond performs on Day 3 of Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, on June 29, 2008." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond (left) and Jeremy Piven attend Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals during the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 12, 2009, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Faith Hill and honoree Neil Diamond perform at the MusiCares Person of the Year tribute at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 6, 2009." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond on the Mount Rushmore float as it makes its way down Seventh Avenue through Times Square during the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York Nov. 24, 2011. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The five recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors pose with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (left) and former President Bill Clinton (right) following a dinner at the State Department on Dec. 3, 2011, in Washington. Front: Sonny Rollins and Barbara Cook. Back: Yo-Yo Ma, Meryl Streep and Neil Diamond." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond performs during the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 22, 2011, in Las Vegas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond performs during the 26th anniversary Carousel of Hope Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Oct. 20, 2012, in California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond (left) and George Clooney perform during the Carousel of Hope Ball." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond attends a ceremony honoring him with the 2,475th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Aug. 10, 2012." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond sings "Sweet Caroline" during a game between the Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox in the 8th inning at Fenway Park on April 20, 2013, in Boston." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond performs during A Capitol Fourth, an Independence Day concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol on July 4, 2013, in Washington." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond performs on NBC's "Today" at Rockefeller Plaza on Oct. 20, 2014, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond performs at the 84th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 30, 2016, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond performs at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, on April 26, 2017." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond signs autographs at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th annual induction and awards dinner at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 14, 2018, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond hoists his award during the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond attends the 24th annual Keep Memory Alive Power of Love Gala benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 7, 2020, in Las Vegas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond and wife Katie Diamond attend the 39th annual Carousel Ball at Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center on Oct. 11, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Diamond, inspirational lifetime achievement award recipient, performs during the 39th annual Carousel Ball in 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See Neil Diamond and his career in music ahead of 'Song Sung Blue'
Singer and songwriter Neil Diamond's music career spans five decades, marked by beloved hits and global acclaim. A look back at his years in music ahead of the Diamond-inspired movie"Song Sung Blue,"starringHugh Jackmanand Kate Hudson.Here, Diamond is seen in London for his first British concert during a tour of Europe in 1971.
The bigger headline, however, is: Man, Kate Hudson cansing. She has performed in movies before (like a number in the 2009 musical "Nine"), but between this andher 2024 album "Glorious,"Hudson proves to be a true powerhouse with vocals as rich as a plate of Wisconsin cheese curds. She has strong musical chemistry with Jackman, and also makes the most of a couple of solo numbers, including an emotional version of Diamond's "I've Been This Way Before."
This movie isn't just for fans of "The Jewish Elvis." Mike keeps trying to make the point that the legendary Diamond is more than just "Sweet Caroline" – no one even sings it until the 45-minute mark. The movie nicely deep dives into the songwriter's playlist, from "I Am … I Said" and "Forever in Blue Jeans" to "Cracklin' Rosie" and "Crunchy Granola Suite."
Even if the storytelling doesn't totally impress in "Song Sung Blue," the musicianship will, with Jackman and Hudson doing justice to an American icon.
When is 'Song Sung Blue' coming out?
The musical drama "Song Sung Blue," starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, is in theaters Dec. 25. It has a run time of two hours and 12 minutes and is rated PG-13 by theMotion Picture Association"for thematic material, some strong language, some sexual material and brief drug use."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Song Sung Blue' review – Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson make magic
