Based on real events and set in the extraordinary world of low-rent music tribute acts, Mike (Hugh Jackman), part-time singer and recovering alcoholic, meets single-mother Claire (Kate Hudson), and they develop a Neil Diamond 'experience' alongside their personal relationship, with a shock mid-point tragedy that moves the film into darker territory and explores their personal struggles and triumphs. The film smartly reflects the strange duality of the tribute act, simultaneously knowingly artificial but striving to providing an authentic experience of the artist. With Neil Diamond's music providing the core of the film, one banger after another reminds us of the power and joy of his back catalogue which is deployed beautifully here. Both Hudson and Jackman are utterly charming, heartbreaking and likeable here in a film which certainly gives them range to convey, using their easy-going chemistry to good effect and both leaning into their now-more-mature star personae for their characters that works very well. Song Sung Blue is a sweet musical romantic drama that blends its darker moments and heartwarming comedy in a way that is ultimately entertaining and uplifting
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