Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) is celebrating his 20th sobriety birthday. He is a mechanic who really wants to make a living with his music. On this day, Mike is hired to perform “Tiny Bubbles” as Don Ho to cover for another tribute singer. But it’s his “birthday”, and he decides he just can’t do it. He wants to sing as his preferred alter-ego, Lightning.
When that is shot down, as he prepares to leave, he sees a beautiful lady doing a Patsy Cline act. Her beauty immediately takes him.
They are soon a couple, get married shortly after, and then become a singing duo. The new couple, Mike and Claire (Kate Hudson), decide to try something new. Building upon Mike’s love of Neil Diamond, they chose to be Lightning and Thunder, not a tribute act but the Neil Diamond Experience!
Mike’s friend (and dentist), Dr. Dave Watson (Fisher Stehens), hooks them up with a better manager. Tom D’Amato (Jim Belushi) runs a tour bus by day and manages Lightning and Thunder by night.
The backup band they gather includes Mark Shurilla (Michael Imperioli), who put together the event where Mike first saw Claire. The other band members are also tribute artists.
As with any true story about humans, there are highs and lows. In this film, the lows are extreme, but the highs make it a good watch.
Song Sung Blue is filled with talent and music. We all knew that Hugh Jackman could sing, but Kate Hudson is a fantastic vocalist! These two talents singing the hits of Neil Diamond are at the heart of this film.
This film is based on the true story told in a popular 2008 documentary of the same name. If you like Neil Diamond songs, you’ll love this film! Honestly, it’s been several days, and I am still humming and singing the movie’s songs!
Director: Craig Brewer
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi
MPA Rating: PG-13 (for thematic material, some strong language, some sexual material, and brief drug use)
Selig Rating: 4.5 Stars
Runtime: 133 Min.
Release Date: 12/25/2025
Language: English
Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Music, Musical
Official Site: SONG SUNG BLUE Official Site
Trailer: SONG SUNG BLUE Official Trailer 2
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.