Song Sung Blue

*SPOILERS*

I’m not a Neil Diamond fan – let’s be clear on that. Not a fan at all. But I think Hugh Jackman is great and I usually like Kate Hudson so when my mom said to watch Song Sung Blue (“even though it’s sad”) I watched it on the airplane to San Diego. I knew this movie was going to break my heart and it did – into a thousand pieces.

Based on the incredible true story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a couple who fronted a Neil Diamond tribute band in Wisconsin in the 90s, the movie has more highs and lows than the average viewer is designed to handle. A recovering alcoholic with a teenage daughter, Mike has been on the music impersonation circuit for a while before meeting Claire – a single mother with two kids – and it is definitely love at first sight. After quickly figuring out how much singing means to both of them, they get married, combine their families, and decide to focus their talents on performing Diamond songs as Lighting and Thunder.

All is going pretty well – they have a solid band, garner a local following, and even get a call to open for Pearl Jam which was such a fun surprise! But Mike’s recurring heart problem (which he can’t afford to go to the doctor to treat) continually gives him scares and then, out of nowhere, Claire gets hit by car while gardening in front of their home. The result is her losing her leg below the knee and Mike suffering a heart attack – a sequence of scenes that are so intense and horrifying they are difficult to describe. What happens next is brutal, sad, and life-altering as this sweet couple take five steps forward to take ten detrimental steps back.

Hudson’s performance as Claire – a woman dealing with depression, severe pain, and addiction to pain medications because of her accident – is worthy of the Golden Globe and Oscar nominations she earned. Meanwhile, Mike is beyond heartbroken and, after watching his wife suffer a psychotic episode on their front lawn, he brings her to a mental hospital to recover. The anguish on Mike’s face as he asks the front desk nurse if he’s doing the right thing for Claire is heart-wrenching because he loves her and their family so much. Speaking of which, where was Jackman’s nominations for this movie?

Mike clearly makes the right call and eventually Claire recovers physically, emotionally, and mentally – so much so that they get the band back together. It’s another triumphant high as the group headlines a sold-out show at the Ritz in Milwaukee the same night Neil Diamond is playing a sold-out show at a nearby venue. After agreeing to do the gig, they find out that Diamond wants to meet them in person! But because this couple can’t catch a break, Mike has another heart attack prior to the show, gets through it, and then dies in the car on the way to meet Diamond. I can’t. If this wasn’t a true story I wouldn’t believe it.

While the chemistry between Jackman and Hudson is undeniable, and the band members are fun and bring lots of much-needed humor to the story, the kids really steal the show. Mike’s daughter Angelina is played by King Princess and Claire’s kids Rachel and Dayna are played by Ella Anderson and Hudson Hensley with such kindness and understanding. Every blow their parents suffer hits these kids twice as hard and they have no choice but to pick up the pieces. Their performances are devastating and there’s no question that the three young actors are on their way to something great.

So now the question is whether or not I recommend Song Sung Blue. This movie is so incredibly sad that I want to say no but the love story is out of this world. These two people make a life for themselves and their kids and do the very best they can with what they have. Their love for each other, their kids, and music is undeniable and is a big reminder to live each day the best we can.