Love on the rocks

FILM REVIEWS SACHIN CHATTE

Film: Song Sung Blue

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Ella Anderson

Directed by: Craig Brewer

Duration: 2 hours 12 minutes

Rating:  * * *

Song Sung Blue is inspired by the music of Neil Diamond but it is not a biopic of the famed singer. Rather, it presents a biographical narrative of the individuals who established a tribute band dedicated to Neil Diamond. The documentary featuring Mike and Claire Sardina shares the same title as this film and acts as a source of inspiration for the storyline.

The result is a mixed bag. The nostalgia part with the music works well. It will be hard to get the title song or ‘Sweet Caroline’ out of your head easily but when it comes to the story, there are a few potholes and bumps on this road. The length also acts as a deterrent – clocking well over two hours, as it struggles to stay afloat.

But as Claire Sardina (Kate Hudson) says in the film, “Nostalgia pays”, and who wouldn’t sing along to ‘Sweet Caroline’, ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’, ‘Song Sung Blue’, ‘Cherry Cherry,’ ‘Soolaimon’, among others, featured in the soundtrack?

The film opens with the statement that it is ‘based on a true love story,’ introducing us to Mike (Hugh Jackman), who has maintained sobriety for several decades. He possesses a commendable singing voice but primarily performs as an impersonator of various artistes. When asked to perform Don Ho’s iconic Hawaiian song ‘Tiny Bubbles’, he decides to quit because he thinks he is suited for something better. Soon, he encounters Claire, who excels at singing Patsy Cline’s songs. It becomes evident that Mike’s past was more illustrious, and Claire recalls watching him perform ‘Sharp Dressed Man’ by ZZ Top during his prime.

Their connection deepens, leading them to become romantically involved, and with little help from their friends, they form a tribute band named Lightning and Thunder, with Mike being the lightning part and Claire representing the other half. His manager, who also serves as his dentist, provides him with a replacement tooth engraved with a lightning motif. The journey appears to be smooth for both the film and its characters, as their popularity begins to rise. Notably, Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam not only invites them to be the opening act but also joins them while performing ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’.

Claire and Mike both have children from their previous marriages – she has a young boy and a young adult daughter named Rachel (Ella Anderson), while he has a daughter of a similar age.

Most films that feature singers or singing include a tragic element, and this one is no exception. Also, it gets bogged down, starts limping and nearly descends into a coma. Jackman and Hudson perform admirably to keep it afloat, but they receive little support from the screenplay and editing. The narrative also veers into melodrama and becomes somewhat illogical (why would one not seek medical attention after experiencing a heart attack
inside a hospital?).

Domestic issues emerge, creating tension within the family; however, but since this is a “true love story”, things have to get back on track before we have more music and the finale.

The film tries hard to bring out the emotional quotient in the middle and latter portions. You do empathise with the characters but you also want the story to move on. All heard and seen, this is a trip down the memory lane which also gives you the blues – but then you can take the blues and make a song and sing them
out again.