'Song Sung Blue' review:' Hugh Jackman channels Neil Diamond in glossy drama

Courtesy of Focus Features

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Have you ever wanted to see the true story about a husband-wife Neil Diamond tribute band? Well then “Song Sung Blue” is the movie for you. Hailing from “Hustle & Flow” director Craig Brewer, “Song Sung Blue,” based on Greg Kohs’ 2008 documentary, begins as all these movies do with a performer hungry to make a name for themselves in a business that’s long left them behind, only to then detour and swerve into some very strange and confusing directions. It has the benefit (and charm) of two more than capable lead performances from Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson who really shine playing these troubled souls who find themselves lost in the wilderness. The musical sequences are naturally where the movie shines brightest, but my goodness, the moment these two step off the stage, everything around the movie crumbles faster than a Lifetime movie. 

Opening in theaters Christmas Day, “Song Sung Blue” is undoubtedly a crowdpleaser and thanks to Hugh Jackman’s effortless swagger and charisma will no doubt bring in a certain underserved demographic to the movies. And those who appreciate a good Neil Diamond tune will also get their fill, especially from Jackman who is nothing if not a showman (perhaps, the greatest showman???).

He plays a single dad named Mike who, in the mid-1990s, meets a fellow single parent Claire (Hudson) both of whom are extremely passionate about performing on the stage and making audiences get swept up in their craftsmanship. Instead of writing their own songs (been there, done that), the duo decide to take their infatuation with Diamond to the next level and start a cover band, dubbing themselves "Lightning & Thunder.” They fall in love and get married, bringing their two families together under one roof. Everything, of course, at first, is going great, but as the duo’s stature and following being to rise, eventually booking bigger venues, tragedy befalls them, and their dreams are derailed. 

Overcoming adversity is nothing new to this genre, but Brewer handles everything off the stage without much gusto or moxy. Jacksman, who has won a Tony, can belt and hit the notes with bravado and immaculate stage presence. Even if you find yourself resisting his advances, it’s hard not to get swept up in Jackman’s abilities to belt Diamond’s most ardent tunes, including “Sweet Caroline," and “Holly Holy,” and Hudson feels like the movie’s secret weapon. Considering Jackman will probably get the lion’s share of attention, Hudson quietly elevates each scene she is playing the single mother yearning for more in her life and her children’s lives. 

In early scenes, as the two are getting to know each other, the romance and chemistry flies with ease. The two leads are very likable and easy to root for. Mike has been sober for 20 years though he’s still plagued with a series of heart issues, while Claire deals with her own anxiety and depression issues. The actors never really outshine the characters and are very much in “movie star” mode, but they are seasoned enough to understand the stakes and what’s been thrown at them. 

Even when Brewer throws some haymakers, including a specific challenge that befalls the family unit that requires a fair amount of patience and understanding that the movie sorely lacks. Without going into specifics, the execution of this moment and the aftermath is clumsy to say the least. Brewer has dabbled with the stress that comes with overcoming mental health issues and addiction, but “Song Sung Blue” never convincingly makes the leap between a somber character driven drama and upbeat, crowdpleaser. Every biopic cliche you can think off is maximized to their full potential, which, to be fair, is expected in a movie like this, but it never quite settles into a sustainable flow and therefore can’t withstand the heavier themes it's trying to articulate. 

The film also hastily rushes towards a finale that never earns its stripes, not to mention more tragedies that aren’t handled with the grace and maturity it should be. It’s kind of shocking this movie has almost the same amount of emotional instability as something like “Hamnet.” The movie gets by on the one-two punch of Jackman and Hudson lathering on the smolder, but I wished this one sang a better, more confident tune. 

Grade: C+ 

SONG SUNG BLUE opens in theaters Christmas Day.