Song Sung Blue
The brief
Craig Brewer brings his signature music-fueled energy to this feel-good crowd-pleaser that somehow makes Neil Diamond tribute acts genuinely moving. Hugh Jackman leans hard into his musical theater charm while Kate Hudson matches his energy with a surprisingly grounded performance that keeps things from getting too saccharine. The 133-minute runtime feels a bit bloated for what's essentially a straightforward redemption story, but the musical numbers have real heart and the chemistry between the leads sells the romance. Perfect for anyone who loved "A Star is Born" but wishes it had more sequins and less tragedy.
The verdict
If you're a sucker for musical theater charm and don't mind your feel-good stories served with extra sequins, this Neil Diamond tribute act romance delivers genuine heart alongside Jackman and Hudson's infectious chemistry. If you prefer your dramas lean and gritty or can't stomach 133 minutes of crowd-pleasing musical numbers, you'll find this too bloated and saccharine for your taste.
Watch with
- 👫 Perfect date night for musical theater fans
- 👨👩👧👦 Great family viewing for teens and up
- ⚠️ Skip if you're allergic to earnest sentiment
Heads up
- Brief alcohol use and financial struggles (brief)
- Some mild language and adult themes (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Craig Brewer
- Cast
- Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess
Official synopsis
Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Walk the Line (2005)
Both explore musicians finding redemption and love through music against odds.
Total runtime: 2h 13m + 2h 16m = 4h 29m
