‘Song Sung Blue’ Review: Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson Form a Neil Diamond Tribute Band in a Different Kind of Faith-Based Movie

The genre of faith-based cinema, typically associated with evangelical stories of crisis and salvation, is radically reinterpreted in Craig Brewer's "Song Sung Blue." This film transfers its sense of devotion to the secular fellowship of Neil Diamond fans. It follows the true story of Mike and Claire Sarina, a Milwaukee couple portrayed by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, who found fame in the late 80s and 90s with their tribute act, Lightning & Thunder. Moving beyond its initial kitschy setup, the movie evolves into a deep meditation on the comfort and community built around musical adoration.

We meet the protagonists in a shabby casino where they perform as deceased music legends. Claire, as Patsy Cline, gives a moving performance of "After Midnight," while Mike—worn down from his Don Ho routine—refuses to sing "Tiny Bubbles" again and walks out. Both are marked by life's struggles: Mike is a Vietnam veteran and mechanic fighting to maintain his twenty-year sobriety, and Claire is a single mother and hairdresser barely making ends meet. Their mutual desperation inspires them to create a Neil Diamond tribute that goes beyond mimicry, aiming instead for a spiritual communion with the music and their audience.

Director Craig Brewer, whose previous work includes the Oscar-winning "Hustle & Flow" and the lauded biopic "Dolemite Is My Name," approaches this material with deep sincerity, celebrating what is often termed Karaoke Culture. This cultural trend, visible everywhere from local pubs to televised talent shows, is rooted in the belief that ordinary people can channel a star's essence through performance. As cultural historian Dr. Lena Moss notes, "Tribute artists don't just imitate; they facilitate a shared, almost sacred experience where the audience connects directly with the mythology of the music." Brewer presents Mike not as a mere impersonator but as a genuine conduit for Diamond's artistry. Jackman, himself a seasoned vocalist, delivers musical numbers that perfectly capture Diamond's iconic resonance and heartfelt delivery.

The chemistry between Jackman and Hudson provides the film's emotional foundation. Jackman embodies a gritty resilience, while Hudson radiates a grounded, steadfast charm, making their on-screen romance feel authentic and tender. With help from a booker played by Jim Belushi, they build a dedicated following on the Midwest casino circuit. Their career hits an improbable peak when Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder—whom Mike initially mistakes for a jam salesman—invites Lightning & Thunder to open for his band in Milwaukee. This leads to an onstage collaboration that serves as a powerful affirmation of their artistic mission.

Just as their ambitions seem within reach, a sudden, devastating tragedy strikes, pushing their partnership and personal faith to the brink. It is here that "Song Sung Blue" adopts some conventions of a classic redemption arc, a narrative choice that may broaden its appeal. While the pacing stumbles in this section, Hudson’s raw and heartbreaking depiction of grief gives the story a powerful center. The couple's deepening reliance on each other—and on Neil Diamond's music—as a source of healing becomes increasingly moving. Tension mounts as Mike's ignored health issues and a frantic, glue-assisted effort to treat a head wound before a pivotal comeback show lead toward a climactic, sweltering August night performance.

In the end, "Song Sung Blue" astutely differentiates between two types of Neil Diamond fans: the purists, like Mike, who find soulful depth in lesser-known tracks such as "Cherry, Cherry," and the celebrants who lose themselves in the collective joy of anthems like "Sweet Caroline." The film is a loving homage to the latter group and to anyone who discovers transcendence through shared musical passion. The finale features a solo performance by Mike at Milwaukee’s historic Ritz Theater, where he sings the Arabic invocation of "Soolaimon." Beginning as a mysterious whisper and swelling into a glorious, cathartic release, the scene is like a brilliant diamond emerging from the dark—a fitting symbol for the film’s moving tribute to fandom, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.