Song Sung Blue

2025

Action / Biography / Drama / History / Music / Musical

16
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 78% · 199 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 97% · 2.5K ratings
IMDb Rating 7.3/10 10 14037 14K

wisconsin based on true story based on movie milwaukee wisconsin tribute band biographical drama

Director

Craig Brewer Photo
Craig Brewer

Top cast

Hugh Jackman Photo
Hugh Jackman as Mike
Kate Hudson Photo
Kate Hudson as Claire
Jeffrey Mowery Photo
Jeffrey Mowery as Pearl Jam Fan
James Belushi Photo
James Belushi as Tom D'Amato
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 1080p.WEB.x265 2160p.WEB.x265
1.18 GB
1280*694
English 2.0
PG-13
Subtitles us  es  fr  ro  
23.976 fps
2 hr 11 min
Seeds 54
2.43 GB
1920*1040
English 5.1
PG-13
Subtitles us  es  fr  ro  
23.976 fps
2 hr 11 min
Seeds 100+
1.19 GB
1280*692
English 2.0
PG-13
Subtitles us  es  fr  ro  
23.976 fps
2 hr 12 min
Seeds 100+
2.44 GB
1918*1036
English 5.1
PG-13
Subtitles us  es  fr  ro  
23.976 fps
2 hr 12 min
Seeds 100+
2.21 GB
1918*1036
English 5.1
PG-13
Subtitles us  es  fr  ro  
23.976 fps
2 hr 12 min
Seeds 100+
5.9 GB
3840*2074
English 5.1
PG-13
Subtitles us  es  fr  ro  
23.976 fps
2 hr 12 min
Seeds 100+

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by wvrent-329-317440 8 / 10

A Tribute to a True Love Song

Another mystery movie sneak preview, but going into it I was 99% confident it was going to be Song Sung Blue (secretly I was hoping for Marty Supreme)And I wasn't jazzed. I didn't know much about the movie, but I knew I really wasn't in the mood for watching Hugh Jackman play Neil Diamond in some biography for two hours and fifteen minutes. I think they even unknowingly played the trailer before, given that it was a mystery, and it just didn't speak to me.And as the opening credits rolled up came the words "Based on a true story". I scrunched up my nose. Wouldn't a biography be based on a true story? The last time this happened I was watching Twelve Years a Slave thinking it was Frozen.The opening scene started with Jackman at an AA meeting. I'm thoroughly confused by this point.It isn't until the second scene when you learn of the tribute band circuit and meet Hudson's spitfire of joy that it all starts to come togetherTo paraphrase Robert Downey Jr, Hugh Jackman playing a dude impersonating Diamond, I could be down with that.But that's just the vehicle, the real story is one of love at first sight, fast and true and deep, the kind that utilized their shared passions not only as kindling but also a ladder to the to lift each other up to best of times and a anchor in the excruciating worst. And the beautiful thing is how infectious that love becomes as it heals their broken families in the process. There aren't many punches pulled here, and the fact that it's based on real life events makes it absolutely thrilling to experience.I definitely caught myself tapping my toes, laughing out loud and gutted to tears in ways I never anticipated. I even had moments where I thought I was supposed to sing out loud. Some people did. Kudos!So good So good! 8/10Also, without a spoiler, one of the craziest ''cameos' by another musician that simply has to be seen to be believed.
Reviewed by masonsaul 7 / 10

Extremely emotional story

Song Sung Blue is an initially heartwarming but ultimately very emotional journey that is all the better for exploring the affection people have for Neil Diamond's music by showing the highs and lows of a more ordinary couple's life. There's a wholesomeness in watching Lightning & Thunder find love as they simultaneously start to fulfill their dreams in later life which exacerbates how almost overwhelmingly devastating it is when life deals them such an awful hand.Hugh Jackman instantly commands the screen in an endearingly sensitive way and makes his character so likeable thanks to his natural desire to perform and willingness to acknowledge his flaws. Kate Hudson brings an equally strong warmth and navigates her character's struggles with ample empathy. They only improve when they're sharing the screen and showcasing their sweet chemistry. It's their performances that prevent the film from feeling disingenuous.Craig Brewer's direction delivers the most devastating moments in a deliberately shocking fashion and is generally stronger in the first half. Amy Vincent's cinematography is capable of matching the energy of Lightning & Thunder during their most inspired creative moments and knows when to slow down when the film's at its heaviest. The soundtrack is an easy win and thankfully tries its best to limit the amount of times Sweet Caroline is used where possible.
Reviewed by ferguson-6 7 / 10

Sun and Moon

Greetings again from the darkness. 'Do what you love' and 'Pursue your passion.' That's the traditional advice we give youngsters, so they won't grow up to live a mundane life filled with regrets. Perhaps there is no better example of living your dream than the real-life love story of Mike Sardina and Claire Stengl-Sardina. These two Milwaukee residents not only found a path to sing on stage, they also found true love with each other.Writer-director Craig Brewer (the underrated DOLEMITE IS MY NAME, 2019) was inspired by watching the 2008 documentary by Greg Kohs with the same title and same subject. Speaking of inspired, the casting of Hugh Jackman as Mike (or as he prefers to be called, Lightning) and Kate Hudson as Claire certainly qualifies. Their harmony is obvious in both their singing and their acting. We first see Mike at an AA meeting, celebrating 20 years sober. He then heads to the Wisconsin State Fair where he is scheduled to take part in a musical legends program. Only he refuses to fulfill his duties as Don Ho, but does take notice of Claire and her performance as the great Patsy Cline.It's Mike who envisions the two being billed as Lighting (him) and Thunder (her), but it's Claire who pitches the idea of a Neil Diamond 'interpretation' ... as opposed to an impressionist. If you are fan, you know that Neil Diamond was a prolific songwriter with hundreds of songs from his career spanning more than five decades. Even if you aren't a Neil Diamond fan, you are likely to know many of the songs - especially "Sweet Caroline", which is a bit of a running gag in the film (and in real life as well).Filmmaker Brewer brilliantly mixes the pursuit of stage fame with the blended personal family life - two teenage daughters, Rachel (a terrific Ella Anderson) and Angelina (King Princess), and a young son, Dana (Hudson Hensley). The family moments ground the film and allow us to accept the human side of Mike and Claire - especially after tragedy and near tragedy strike. Other supporting work is provided by Jim Belushi, Fisher Stevens, Michael Imperioli, and Mustafa Shakir.There is an excellent sequence where Mike and Claire get to open for Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam when the grunge band's tour hits Milwaukee. This is one of the feel good moments - and there are a few of these, as well as a few that don't feel quite so good. Mental issues, physical issues, and personal issues all create obstacles for these folks, and yet the dreams stay alive. Hugh Jackman is all in as Mike, and yet it's Kate Hudson who is the memorable one with both her performance and her surprisingly elite singing voice. Ms. Hudson's performance in ALMOST FAMOUS (2000) will always be iconic, however, she built a career doing many films of which I'm not particularly fond. Her work here is awards-worthy ... or as Mike would say, "Huge". The film is a crowd-pleaser that's neither corny nor lame. Brewer includes a closing shot of the real Mike and Claire as the credits roll.Opens in theaters on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025.
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