Movie Number One of 2026
The Movie: Song Sung Blue
The Cinema: Hoyts Victoria Gardens
Runtime: Two hours twelve minutes
Stars: 4
Part of me did not want to see this. It's the part of me that has been going to Victoria Gardens shopping centre, as I do most days, only to hear Sweet Caroline sung loudly from the cinema screens above the food court. Sweet Caroline at karaoke or weddings, you know, once in a while is fine. Every day, and loud, for months on end, not so much.
Anyway, after not seeing a film for a week, I decided to give this a go, even if it was to get the angst of hearing Sweet Caroline out of my system.
And I'm really glad I did, even with Hugh Jackman's dodgy haircuts. And him running around in baggy dad underpants in a couple of scenes.
Actually, it was really entertaining, quite emotional and musically wonderful. And yes, for me, a bit nostalgic as being a child of the seventies, Neil Diamond was everywhere and I remember this. I think my parents had some of his records on vinyl.
Song Sung Blue is based on the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a couple from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who created a Neil Diamond tribute show. Mike (Hugh Jackman) is a Vietnam vet, a long-term recovering alcoholic who's hobby job is singing and playing in local bands. He's a man of principle. He's also a battler, and you have to love him for that. His stage persona is Lightning, as he does a good line in Elvis songs as well.
Hugh Jackman was born to play this role. As the quintessential triple threat, there's nobody else who could play Mike Sardina with the same aplomb.
Then Mike meets Claire (Kate Hudson) at one of these shows. They hit it off, get married and start the Neil Diamond tribute band, Lightning and Thunder and their star starts to rise.
Yet it wouldn't be a biopic without adversity, or which there is a lot. The couple have no luck whatsoever. Just as you think they're getting somewhere, something huge happens, and on it goes. But the couple and their kids Rachel (Ella Anderson), Dana (Hudson Hensley) and Angelina (King Princess) battle forward as battlers do. Despite having cringy parents - Claire is described by her daughter as a lot, Mike by his daughter in a similar manner - they are a loving family unit.
The performances in Song Sung Blue are wonderful. Kate Hudson is fantastic as the fragile Claire. The supporting cast are also fantastic. Ella Anderson is going to be one to watch. I loved seeing Michael Imperioli, who you're used to seeing in mob films is wonderful as Mark, Mike's supportive friend (and a Buddy Holly impersonator - he was great on the screen.) Other small roles from Jim Belushi and Fisher Stevens were good too.
I went into this film with few expectations and walked out very happy. If you're a Neil Diamond fan, you'll love this. And if not, this is a very solid based on real life story that's been brought to the screen in a great way.
This was a good way to start 2026. Better than invading Venezuela, anyway.
No comments:
Post a Comment