‘Song Sung Blue‘ is not just a biopic about who musicians, although it has as heroes a couple of people who make music, and it is not just a musical film, although it is rich in musical numbers. The movie directed and co-written by Craig Brewer is first and foremost about the passion for music and the role that music plays in the lives of people who work in this industry without necessarily being big stars. Inspired by a documentary film whose heroes are a couple of musicians from the heart of the United States, the film respects the authenticity of the environment it describes not only in the script but also in the rendering of the atmosphere and especially in the empathetic approach to American popular culture, including the passion for music.
Mike and Claire Sardina met in the ’80s as musicians specializing in performances in which they imitated popular singers of America. This type of entertainment was very popular in those years, perhaps it still is today. Mike was carrying the trauma of the Vietnam War with him and had struggled to recover from alcoholism. Claire had also gone through enough trials, raising a teenage daughter and an adorable son (played by Hudson Hensley – a formidable child actor who deserves a great role). The two are united by their passion for Neil Diamond’s music and decide to create a show together that would pay tribute to him. They don’t imitate the great singer, they interpret him, they say. Their show starts off slowly, but it gains popularity. They choose the stage name ‘Lightning and Thunder’ for their couple. The Neil Diamond music that the two sing resonates with the part of America where they appear on stages or in bars. Just when they had gained some fame (including an appearance as the opening act for a Pearl Jam concert), after they get married and have hopes of overcoming material difficulties, fate strikes without mercy. But Mike and Claire will not be defeated easily.
Behind an impressive true story, ‘Song Sung Blue‘ asks a question worthy of debate about the boundaries between art and entertainment. To what extent is a show based on imitations art, and are the artists who perform in such shows truly musicians? I came away from this film convinced. The passion and respect for the original win the audiences and give them the opportunity to enjoy music whose original they have little chance of ever seeing. What these two (and many other musicians like them) do is prolong the ephemeral life of beloved songs and singers. The performances of the two actors in the main roles are exceptional. Hugh Jackman conquers, being one of those actors who manages to change his facial expression several times a second, and Kate Hudson radiates light, love and passion for music. Both of them also sing their roles and do it perfectly. The story is melodramatic, but it’s one of those cases where melodrama works really well on screen, especially when we know that the story happened (with the necessary deviations) in reality. ‘Song Sung Blue‘ is only a movie for now, but I bet the Broadway musical won’t be long in coming. And Neil Diamond lives in and blesses this wonderful film with his music.