The cinematic year of 2026 kicks off with a heartfelt, if occasionally saccharine, offering in Song Sung Blue, a film based on the remarkable true story of a Midwestern couple performing as a Neil Diamond tribute act. Helmed by writer-director Craig Brewer, this crowd-pleaser boasts impressive lead performances from Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, who handle their own vocals, but its narrative sometimes struggles to hit the right notes.
A True Story of Love and Music
Hugh Jackman portrays Mike Sardina, a good-natured, blue-collar troubadour from Wisconsin who found sobriety after returning from the Vietnam War. By the mid-1990s, he has been clean for two decades, touring bars and clubs as part of a troupe of singing impersonators. The ensemble includes a 'James Brown' (Mustafa Shakir) and a 'Buddy Holly' played by a brilliantly cast-against-type Michael Imperioli, far removed from his Sopranos mobster days.
Mike's life changes when he meets Claire (Kate Hudson), a part-time hairdresser with a Patsy Cline act. Their romance blossoms quickly, and they soon merge their talents to form the duo Lightning and Thunder, dedicated to performing Neil Diamond's classic songs. They build a modest but devoted following, even landing a coveted slot opening for the rock band Pearl Jam.
Charm, Chemistry, and an Abrupt Turn
The film's considerable watchability in its first half stems largely from the authentic chemistry between Jackman and Hudson. Their domestic life, where Mike works to win over Claire's two children from a previous relationship, is portrayed with warmth. The couple marry, and their respective daughters (Ella Anderson and King Princess) form a heartwarming bond, seemingly smoothing over any potential family friction.
For a significant stretch, the story coasts on this buoyant charm, with the only minor conflict being Mike's stubborn preference for opening with Diamond's deeper cut, 'Soolaimon', over the crowd-demanding 'Sweet Caroline'. However, the plot requires a more substantial thorn amongst the roses. An abrupt and profound catastrophe strikes, shifting the film's tone from sustained curiosity to a more conventional triumph-over-adversity dynamic that feels necessary for its crowd-pleasing ambitions.
Verdict: A Cheesy Yet Poignant Start to the Year
Inspired by a 2008 documentary of the same name, Song Sung Blue is a film of contrasts. It possesses genuine poignancy and features stellar performances, with Kate Hudson already securing a Golden Globe nomination for her whole-hearted turn. Yet, it is undeniably cheesy, with a runtime of two hours and 13 minutes that feels excessive. Some misjudged elements, including slapstick and an over-the-top supporting performance by Jim Belushi, occasionally tip the balance towards the sickly.
One scene, involving a teenage mother handing over her newborn, has been criticised as offensively glib. Ultimately, your enjoyment may depend on your mood; it could be the perfect holiday hangover remedy or an experience that leaves you feeling worse. Despite its flaws, as a vehicle for its two magnetic leads and the timeless music of Neil Diamond, Song Sung Blue offers a pleasant, if flawed, beginning to the 2026 movie calendar. The film is in cinemas now.
