“Based on a true love story,” as well as the award-winning 2008 doc of the same name, the appeal of the somewhat manipulative “Song Sung Blue” (Focus) expands beyond the world of Neil Diamond fans into the realms of substance abuse recovery, tribute bands, and blended families.
Spanning a period of about 10 years, it tells the alternately inspiring and depressing story of mechanic and singer/musician Mike (an over-the-top Hugh Jackman) who encounters hairdresser and Patsy Cline-impersonator Claire (Kate Hudson) at the Wisconsin State Fair. They hit it off, and before you can say thunder and lightning, they become a musical duo known as Lightning & Thunder, performing as a Neil Diamond tribute act.
However, it’s not that simple. Both are just barely getting by financially. Claire is a divorced mother to daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson) and son Dana (Hudson Hensley). Mike, who is in recovery (sober 20 years when they meet), is a divorced father to Angelina (queer singer/songwriter King Princess).
Surrounded by people who see something special in the duo, including Mike’s manager/dentist Dave (Fisher Stevens), Tom (Jim Belushi), a trolley-tour driver with connections in casinos “from Chicago to Branson,” music and Buddy Holly impersonator Mark (Michael Imperioli) and Johnny (Jim Conroy) and Babs (drag queen Jackie Cox aka Darius Rose), a couple of gay guys who work with Claire and know a thing or two about hair, makeup, and wardrobe, everything clicks. So much so that Lightning & Thunder land a gig opening for Pearl Jam in Milwaukee, at which they are joined onstage by Eddie Vedder (John Beckwith).
Just as their stars rise, and not long after they get married, Claire is hit by a car while gardening in her front yard and loses a leg. Making matters worse, Mike, who has been experiencing debilitating chest pains, has a heart attack at the hospital while Claire is being treated in the ER. More financially strapped than ever, Claire becomes addicted to painkillers. Behaving irrationally, she accuses Mike of being unfaithful at his new job, hosting karaoke and doing Neil Diamond at a Thai restaurant.
After a stint in rehab, Claire makes a remarkable return, and Lighting & Thunder returns to performing. More popular than ever, they are booked for a headlining gig by Buddy (out actor Sean Allan Krill) and then learn that Neil Diamond wants to meet them after his local concert. In keeping with the pair’s bad luck streak, there is more to come.
It seems unlikely that Hudson will take home the Oscar for which she was nominated this year, although her performance is notable. Also noteworthy is that 20 years have passed since her previous Academy Award nomination (for “Almost Famous”). Additionally, it’s not shocking that Hudson can sing (her parents Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson of The Hudson Brothers fame, are both musical). What was somewhat surprising is how well she maintained her Wisconsin accent throughout, deserving of Oscar love just for that. You betcha!
Rating: C+
