Written by Andreas Babiolakis

Craig Brewer has frequently tiptoed the line of award season hopeful and mainstream cinema megahit while never quite reaching these heights. Dolemite is my Name is quite a good look at the Blaxploitation star that somehow got shut out of many awards. Brewer reunited with star Eddie Murphy on the lacklustre sequel Coming 2 America that was all but a whimper of a film. Well, the tides turned for Brewer in 2025 after his latest film, Song Sung Blue, appeared to be quite the hit. It has done reasonably well at the box office, and seems to be picking up awards season steam. This film — based on the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina, professional impersonators (sorry, interpreters) — has all of the signs of a traditional Oscar-bait film that you'd expect by now, but that doesn't mean that it is bad. It's decent and a surefire crowd pleaser, and I suppose that's what people needed this holiday season when they've spent an entire year flustered and uncertain. Like the music of Neil Diamond (especially "Sweet Caroline"), guaranteed heart-warmers are usually what the doctor ordered, even if they won't change your life.

Mike (Hugh Jackman) is a recovering alcoholic who is struggling to get by as a singer. He comes across Claire (Kate Hudson) during a gig and they catch on like a house on fire. It doesn't take long for Claire — who is a Patsy Cline "interpreter" — to inspire Mike to take on the works of Neil Diamond. They form the duo "Lightning and Thunder" and slowly pick up work. They seem to have a good thing going professionally and in life; they marry and combine their lives (including children) as one. The film is matching the promotional trailers note for note, until it pulls off its Million Dollar Baby moment when disaster strikes: Claire is hit by a car outside of their house and gets a leg amputated; she begins to struggle with addiction to pain meds while Mike struggles to keep going alone (the family is in enough debt as it is). The film continues to hit some predictable notes, but this is also the film full of people expecting "Sweet Caroline" and not the many other great Diamond standards; these plot points will be expected and welcomed by its intended audience.

*Song Sung Blue* is a little corny, but it has enough heart and drive to overcome most of its conventions.

Jackman tries his best but he occasionally wanders into that territory of overacting that he has become far too comfortable with; his characters lose sight of being human when they all act like the world is a stage. The biggest surprise for me was Hudson, who I feel like similarly feels uncompelling as an actor usually (outside of Almost Famous) but has turned in some of her strongest acting to date; somehow, when she gives that "for your consideration" Oscars moment, I buy it more than Jackman's. However, I do think that they need each other, as it is Hudson's tenderness that makes Jackman feel a bit more human, and it is Jackman's extremities that push Hudson further. They truly are Lightning and Thunder. Song Sung Blue doesn't give way entirely to kitsch, but it does come marginally close as to appeal to those who love theatrics and cheese (this is a film about celebrating Neil Diamond's music, amongst other things). I feel like Brewer and company do enough to honour the real people the film is based on while trying to get this story to reach more people (Brewer was inspired by the original documentary of the same name from 2008, but I'm sure people are already aware of this story because of that film). The documentary got the Sardina family recognition. Brewer's Song Sung Blue turns them into superstars; it may result in a so-so film, but this is quite an honourable and touching achievement.

Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.