Movie Review: ‘Song Sung Blue’

‘My Name is Dolemite’ director Craig Brewer returns to the blend of music and drama that served him well with ‘Hustle & Flow’, but with a real-life angle.

(L to R) Kate Hudson as Claire Sardina and Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina in director Craig Brewer's 'Song Sung Blue', a Focus Features release. Credit: Sarah Shatz/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

In Theaters via Focus Features on December 25 is ‘Song Sung Blue’, which sounds like it should be a Neil Diamond biopic, but is in fact the adaptation of a documentary about a couple who covered his tracks while dealing with difficult moments in life.

Writer/director Craig Brewer's new movie stars Hugh Jackman (‘Deadpool & Wolverine’), Kate Hudson (‘Almost Famous’), Ella Anderson (‘Suncoast’), King Princess (‘Bottoms’), Jim Belushi (‘The Whole Truth’) and Fisher Stevens (‘Motherless Brooklyn’).

Initial Thoughts

(L to R) Jim Belushi as Tom D'Amato, Ella Anderson as Rachel, Michael Imperioli as Mark Shurilla, King Princess as Angelina, Kate Hudson as Claire Stengl, and Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina in director Craig Brewer's 'Song Sung Blue', a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

We have had such a glut of music biopics in recent years, unleashed by the success of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ that you might roll your eyes at the idea that ‘Song Sung Blue’ delves into some aspect of crooner Neil Diamond’s life.

Instead, writer/director/producer Craig Brewer has unearthed Greg Kohs’ underappreciated 2008 documentary about a real-life couple who formed a Diamond tribute act, chronicling the highs and lows in their own family.

Script and Direction

Director Craig Brewer during the production of 'Song Sung Blue', a Focus Features release. Credit: Sarah Shatz/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Brewer certainly knows how to bring music to screens, and in ‘Dolemite Is My Name,’ he took an effective, funny look at a real-life person. With ‘Song Sung Blue,’ he combines those to largely winning effect, though it is sometimes hampered by what is invented (coincidence and convenience in the service of heartstring plucking) and suffers from what’s best described as ‘Return of the King’ syndrome –– multiple moments where there could be a natural ending, but the movie keeps going.

Still, Brewer has found a fantastic story here –– one that the trailer doesn’t fully address, and this is best enjoyed without knowing too much –– and draws superb performances from the whole cast, including Jackman and particularly Hudson.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina and Kate Hudson as Claire Stengl in director Craig Brewer's 'Song Sung Blue',, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

While it might seem to be Jackson’s film as Mike Sardina initially, it evolves to become much more of a two-hander, Hudson enjoying her best role in years.

Around them, the supporting cast work well without slipping too often into expected beats (tough when it’s a true story on display).

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina and Kate Hudson as Claire Stengl in director Craig Brewer's 'Song Sung Blue', a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

‘Song Sung Blue’ should entertain even those who don’t know their Neil Diamond from their 'Diamond Jim', proving to be a welcome dose of real sentiment in an awards season that has been in need of it.

‘Song Sung Blue’ receives 70 out of 100.

Kate Hudson as Claire Sardina in director Craig Brewer's 'Song Sung Blue', a Focus Features release. Credit: Sarah Shatz/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

What’s the story of ‘Song Sung Blue’?

Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams.