Song Sung Blue sees Hugh Jackman taking a wide diversion away from big box-office superhero movies like Deadpool And Wolverine to play Mike Sandina, an 20 years sober alcoholic, who impersonates Don Ho on stage – someone I’d never heard of before this, but at a gig with other tribute acts – such as Elvis and Buddy Holly, a chance meeting with Claire (Kate Hudson – Running Point), singing as Patsy Cline, leads to the start of them being the love of each other’s lives, and given how he’s getting tired of his current direction, she suggests he divert into singing Neil Diamond songs, instead.
As they become a couple and join up to become a Neil Diamond tribute act in band form – as “Lightning and Thunder”, the rarely seen Jim Belushi (Salvador) makes a welcome appearance as their manager, Tom D’Amato. Where’s Jim been?
One annoying thing: I didn’t realise this film is actually based on a true life story, and as such, why didn’t writer/director Craig Brewer state what year this begins? Claire lives in a house that’s still decorated like it’s the ’70s, but aside from the 4:3 CRT TV showing what looked like gameshows from the same decade, the tech shown dates it as some time later.
Turned out, it was around 1993/94 – something I worked out when not only is Pearl Jam mentioned, but also that frontman Eddie Vedder (portrayed by John Beckwith) wants to appear onstage with them to join in a performance.
Mike’s also sick of the song Sweet Caroline, as I have been for some time. For him, it’s because he feels there’s far more to Neil Diamond than that song, even though it’s a fan favourite, and he’d rather start each gig with the lesser-known Soolaimon. For me, I’ve long since tired of it, especially with the more recent and annoying addition of the repeated use of “so good, so good, so good” during the chorus.
Interestingly, while I thought it was something that started with UK rugby crowds, it actually originated at Boston Red Sox games at the Fenway Park Ballpark in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1997. Hence, there’s some artistic licence used in Song Sung Blue when the crowd shout back to them, given that it’s set a few years earlier.
Give me Forever In Blue Jeans over that one any time. Far better!
Song Sung Blue introduced me to a few Neil Diamond songs I’ve never heard before, such as Play Me, but there while there are some elements to the plot I wasn’t expecting, including some things that come out of the blue, it’s been a while since I’ve seen Kate Hudson onscreen. The daughter of Goldie Hawn, she been around for a fair while, but she’s now fitting very well into the ‘mumsy’-type roles.
As a film, this has clearly been given a New Year’s Day release date in advance of expected Oscar buzz, but there’s been no buzzing at all, which is a shame as it’s quite a decent drama. It won’t set the world on fire, but the two leads work very well together with great chemistry, it doesn’t outstay its welcome too much at just over two hours, and it’s better than Marty Supreme.
Money-wise, Song Sung Blue has a low budget of $30m, but so far, has only taken $32m, so won’t be making a profit yet, especially with the heavy pre-Xmas promotion it had, but it’s just steered clear of being a box-office bomb. At least Brewer hasn’t wasted our time, as he didwith 2021’s Coming 2 America.
Song Sung Blue is in cinemas now, and is available to pre-order on Blu-ray and DVD.
NOTE: There are no mid- nor post-credits scenes.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 99 minutes
Release date: January 1st 2026
Studio: Focus Features
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Cinema: Odeon Trafford Centre
Rating: 7/10
Director: Craig Brewer
Producers: Craig Brewer, HH Cooper, John Davis, John Fox
Screenplay: Craig Brewer
Based upon the ocumentary: Greg Kohs
Music: Scott Bomar
Cast:
Mike Sardina: Hugh Jackman
Claire Sardina: Kate Hudson
Rachel: Ella Anderson
Dayna: Hudson Hensley
Angelina: King Princess
Mark Shurilla: Michael Imperioli
Dr. Dave Watson: Fisher Stevens
Tom D’Amato: Jim Belushi
Sex Machine: Mustafa Shakir
Eddie Vedder: John Beckwith
Earl: Jayson Warner Smith
Grandma Stengl: Cecelia Riddett
Buddy Holmes: Sean Allan Krill
Johnny: Jim Conroy
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.