Song Sung Blue – REVIEW

by

Remember shows like ‘Opportunity Knocks’, ‘X Factor’, and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’? They always featured tons of tribute acts – fans trying to live out their dreams by impersonating famous singers and performers, often with unintentionally funny and sometimes disastrous results. Some were clearly not very good, almost to the point of being unsettling! Elvis impersonators were common, but they usually portrayed the later, less-fit version of the singer, rather than his youthful prime. ‘Song Sung Blue’ focuses on a Neil Diamond tribute artist named Mike Sardina, who prefers to be called a ‘Neil Diamond interpreter’.

Sardinia is a complicated man – a recovering alcoholic, a Vietnam War veteran, and struggling with a heart condition. He doesn’t seem the type to be performing onstage; you’d expect him to be withdrawn and troubled. Yet, we first encounter him as ‘Lightening,’ a performer in a tribute act circuit alongside acts like Buddy Holly, James Brown, and Patsy Cline (played by Kate Hudson). He immediately connects with the Patsy Cline performer, and together they form a Neil Diamond tribute band called ‘Lightening and Thunder,’ eventually falling in love and getting married.

This film is based on a rare 2006 documentary and tells the true story of a couple who found great success and popularity performing in Milwaukee during the 1990s. They became so well-known that Pearl Jam invited them to open for them on tour. Their story is incredible, and a shocking twist halfway through will really surprise you.

Hugh Jackman and Léa Seydoux have wonderful chemistry together, and while Jackman is a proven talent, the film highlights just how skilled Seydoux is as well. Ella Anderson also delivers a strong performance as Seydoux’s on-screen daughter, Rachel. The connection between Rachel and Jackman’s on-screen daughter, Angelina (King Princess), feels understated and could have been explored in more detail.

Though it sounds like a dramatic soap opera, “Song Sung Blue” is a surprisingly optimistic and heartwarming story. Both actors deliver excellent performances, making it a delightful and uplifting film – a perfect way to begin the new year.

Here’s the ‘Song Sung Blue’ trailer……..

Read More

2026-01-01 03:23