Remember those shows ‘Opportunity Knocks’ and then of course ‘X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’? All had hundreds if not thousands of what could loosely be called, ‘tribute acts’ with obsessive fans of the stars living vicariously through impersonating them to appalling and often unintentionally hilarious effect. Many were deliriously unaware of the travesty they were perpetuating and that many of these impersonators were just a nervous twitch away from being sectioned. Most popular amongst the tribute acts is Elvis yet its never the lithe gyrating sex symbol of his 50’s heyday but always the bloated sweaty rhinestone trouser suited wreck of his latter Vegas years. There are, of course, other tribute acts and ‘Song Sung Blue’ is about Neil Diamond’s and here it’s Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) or as he prefers to call his act, ‘Neil Diamond interpreter’.
But Sardinia is a divorced former alcoholic Vietnam vet with a heart problem, the sort of fatal combo that would seem more likely to wear military fatigues and commit a shopping mall atrocity than banging out ‘Sweet Caroline’ in a silk shirt and spangly waistcoat. But when we first meet him it’s on the tribute act circuit with him performing under the moniker ‘Lightening’ (possibly as a tribute to the street drinkers favourite, White Lightening, because that’s what they’re usually clutching when slurring their through whatever song they’re crucifying as they bowl down the high street) along with other tribute acts that include Buddy Holly, James Brown and Patsy Cline (Kate Hudson). It’s that last act that he hits it off with right from the start and form the Neil Diamond tribute band ‘ Lightening and Thunder’ and form a romantic bond too, that sees them getting married.
Based on a little seen 2006 documentary of the same name this is a true story that follow the real life couple becoming hugely successful and much loved as they perform throughout Milwaukee in the 1990’s. In fact so successful that Pearl Jam asked them to be a support act on their tour. Their story is almost unbelievable and a dramatic left turn to their story half way through is something of a gut punch when it happens.
Jackman and Hudson are terrific with a real chemistry between them and whilst Jackman’s screen presence and all around ability is known the film is a reminder of just how good Hudson is. There’s a notable performance too from Ella Anderson as Hudson’s screen daughter, Rachel and her friendship with Jackman’s screen daughter Angelina (King Princess) is underplayed and deserved exploring further.
If it wasn’t a true story Song Sung Blue would come across as a soap opera but it plays out as a refreshingly cynicism free look at the pair’s story and both leads are on top form making this a crowd pleasing feel good film to start the new year.
related feature : Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin & Kevin Feigh introduce Deadpool & Wolverine
related feature : A new Bros doco? / Luke Goss hits Paydirt / He talks bad guys & Bond!
Here’s the ‘Song Sung Blue’ trailer……..
