I never quite know what to make of Neil Diamond.
Take the lyrics to his song, “I Am … I Said,” released in 1971:
“‘I am,’ I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair”
I didn’t know chairs had listening ears.
Clint Eastwood once talked to an empty chair on an arena stage.
The words and music of Neil Diamond’s songs have the minimalist punch of the acting and directing of Clint Eastwood’s films.
The lyric in “I Am … I Said” harks back to the dictum of French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650): ”I think, therefore I am,” and to Prince Hamlet, in the speech in the 1603 play “Hamlet” (Act 3, Scene 1) of William Shakespeare (1564-1616)): “To be or not to be.”
Compare Neil Diamond to René Descartes and William Shakespeare?
Preposterous you say?
The movie “Song Sung Blue” places Neil Diamond in a whole new context.
“Neil is so much more than ‘Sweet Caroline,’” says Hugh Jackman as Lightening, one-half of a duo with the other-half Kate Hudson as Thunder.
They sing Neil Diamond songs. Lightning (Hugh Jackman) is on lead vocals and guitar. Thunder (Kate Hudson) is on harmony, lead vocals and electric piano.
“Song Sung Blue” tells the story of Lighting and Thunder, a Neil Diamond tribute band.
The fictional movie is based on the real-life story of Mike “Lightning” and Claire “Thunder” Sardina, a real-life husband and wife group in Milwaukee, Wisc.
A 2008 documentary film about the couple was made by Greg Kohs.
“Song Sung Blue” captures the essence of Neil Diamond. We see and experience the enthusiasm of fandom, of a Neil Diamond acolyte, of someone who “gets” Neil Diamond and wants to tell the world about who he considers to be one of the world’s great contemporary pop music songwriters, singers and performers.
Hugh Jackman (Oscar nominee, actor, “Les Misérables,” 2013; also known for his role as Logan-Wolverine in “X-Men,” 2000; “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” 2009; “Logan,” 2017; “Deadpool & Wolverine,” 2024, and who was in “The Greatest Showman,” 2017), in song and acting in “Song Sung Blue,” makes a convincing case for Neil Diamond’s greatness.
Jackman, a bona fide Broadway performer (Tony Award, “The Boy from Oz”), sings with confidence and ease. Jackman is dynamic and larger than life in the role.
Jackson has humorous moments, as well as conveying a serious side to his role, as concerned father and devoted husband, no easy feat when you’re portraying someone nicknamed Lightning.
Kate Hudson (Oscar nominee, supporting actress, “Almost Famous, 2001) is a total charmer as Thunder. She arguably has the more challenging character arc. No spoilers here.
Hudson has the ability to portray a woman whose life has been shattered, but who rises like a phoenix from the ashes to soar in triumph.
Kate Hudson is nominated for an Oscar, actress, for her role in “Song Sung Blue.”
The on-screen chemistry between Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson is undeniable, wonderful and lovely to behold.
The supporting actors deserve mention, including Michael Imperioli (Mark, a Buddy Holly impersonator); Ella Anderson (Rachel, Claire’s daughter from her first marriage); King Princess (Angelina, Mike’s daughter from his first marriage), Hudson Hensley (Dayna, Claire’s son from her first marriage); Jim Belushi (Tom D’Amato, Lightning and Thunder’s manager) and Fisher Stevens (Dave Watson, a dentist).
Director Craig Brewer (director, “Hustle & Flow,” 2005; “Coming 2 America,” 2021; “Dolemite Is My Name,” 2019) successfully navigates the sadness and euphoria of the based-on real-life story of Lightning and Thunder. Brewer co-wrote the screenplay with Greg Kohs.
Working with Cinematographer Amy Vincent (“Hustle & Flow”) and Production Designer Clay A. Griffith (“Dolemite Is My Name”), Brewer re-creates the small-town life of firehouse social halls, restaurant karaoke and country fairs.
“Song Sung Blue” has a bevy of Neil Diamond songs, including the title song, and “Cherry, Cherry,” “I’m a Believer,” “Forever in Blue Jeans” and, of course, “Sweet Caroline,” with the audience singing along: “So good, so good, so good.”
The film brings out a surprising, or maybe not so surprising, spiritual aspect to Neil Diamond’s songs, such as the enigmatic and mysterious “Soolaimón,” and the unabashed rousing anthem, “Holly Holy.”
Neil Diamond, René Descartes, William Shakespeare.
See “Song Sung Blue,” then decide.
Moreover, “Song Sung Blue” is a fun film. It has sad moments, yes, but is ultimately uplifting.
If you’re a fan of Neil Diamond, Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, don’t miss it.
And while you’re at it, even tell the chair.
“Song Sung Blue,” MPA Rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13) for thematic material, some strong language, some sexual material and brief drug use; Genre: Docudrama, Biography, Musical; Run time: 2 hours, 12 minutes. Distributed by Focus Features.
Credit Readers Anonymous: “Song Sung Blue” was filmed, starting in October 2024, in Danville, Morristown and Old Tappan, N.J.
At The Movies: “Song Sung Blue” was seen in the regular format at AMC Center Valley 16.
Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, Jan. 30-Feb. 1: “Send Help,” the Sam Raimi-directed Psychological Horror film starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, opened at No. 1 with $20 million in 3,475 theaters.
2. “Iron Lung,” a Science Fiction Horror film by Mark Fischbach in his feature film directorial debut, $17.8 million in 3,015 theaters, opening.
3. “Melania,” a Documentary film about First Lady Melanie Trump, $7 million in 1,778 theaters, opening.
4. “Zootopia 2” dropped one place, $5.8 million in 2,880 theaters, $409.9 million, 10 weeks. 5. “Shelter,” an Action Thriller starring Jason Statham, $5.8 million in 2,726 theaters, opening. 6. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” dropped four places, $5.5 million in 2,800 theaters, $386.1 million, seven weeks. 7. “Mercy” dropped six places from No., 1 for one-week, $4.7 million in 3,468 theaters, $19.4 million, two weeks. 8. “The Housemaid” dropped four places, $3.5 million in 2,603 theaters, $120.6 million, seven weeks. 9. “Marty Supreme” dropped four places, $2.9 million in 1,703 theaters, $90.8 million, seven weeks. 10. “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” dropped four places, $1.6 million in 2,042 theaters, $23.6 million, three weeks. 17. “Song Sung Blue” stayed in place, $540,270 in 709 theaters, $38.2 million, six weeks.
Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Feb. 1 is subject to change.
Unreel, Feb. 6:
“Dracula,” No MPA rating; 2 hours, 9 minutes: Luc Besson directs Caleb Landry Jones, Christoph Waltz, Zoë Bleu and Matilda De Angelis in the Vampire Horror film. The 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker gets a new twist.
“Solo Mio,” MPA rated PG; 1 hour, 40 minutes. Charles Kinnane and Daniel Kinnane direct Kevin James, Jonathan Roumie, Alyson Hannigan and Kim Coates in the Romantic Comedy. A man is left at the altar and goes on his honeymoon alone.
“The Strangers: Chapter 3,” MPA rated R; 1 hour, 31 minutes. Renny Harlin directs Madelaine Petsch, Richard Brake and Janis Ahern in the Horror film. The masked killers are back and so is Maya.
Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of Feb. 1 is subject to change.
Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes
IMAGE: FOCUS FEATURESSo good: Kate Hudson (Thunder), Hugh Jackman (Lighting), “Song Sung Blue.”
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