Why I Loved 'Song Sung Blue'

An early screening of the new Neil Diamond tribute band film was more than simply a happy memory for Lisa M. Hendey.

Growing up in the relative safety of Orange County, California, in the 1970’s, I was permitted a certain amount of liberty that now shocks me a little as a parent and grandparent. I babysat at an early age, drove without a license, and had very few rules (probably because I was a really good little girl). But one of my favorite memories of that time was packing up my Barbie camper and pushing it the three blocks to my best friend’s house to spend weekend nights. We’d “set up” our Barbie community and then sleep near our encampments in her family’s formal living room.

When I think back on those years, the soundtrack I hear in my head is Neil Diamond’s greatest hits. My friend’s dad was a major fan and also a smoker who took to the garage to tinker and listen loudly to his favorite artist. He had Neil’s gravely voice and could belt out “Cracklin’ Rosie” in a way that always had me singing along. At our house, we loved Neil too. His was one of the eight-track tapes on regular rotation in our family motor home. Now that my nephew is a band member at the University of Notre Dame, one of my favorite moments at any home game is when the entire stadium bursts into “Sweet Caroline.” Neil Diamond's music brings back so many wonderful memories. I love that a whole new generation has discovered the glory of belting out “bum, bum, bum” in unison.

Craig Brewer’s Song Sung Blue

In Director Craig Brewer’s film, which opened in theaters nationwide on December 25, we meet Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) and Claire Stengl (Kate Hudson) when the two celebrity musical impersonators are brought together at a showcase of Midwest musicians. This movie is primarily based on Greg Kohs’ 2009 documentary Song Sung Blue, a gritty look at a husband-and-wife singing duo scraping by in life to live their dreams as “Lightning & Thunder,” a Neil Diamond tribute band. In the blockbuster version, which takes some dramatic liberties with the true story, Lightning celebrates his carefully maintained sobriety by singing a Neil Diamond song at his AA meeting. We learn that it was Sardina’s heroic military service in Vietnam that led to his alcoholism. At one point, someone close to Lightning quips that he simply traded one addiction for another. Gone is the drinking. In its place is the music.

The immediate chemistry between Mike and Claire is undeniable. The melding of their musical gifts leads to a love story that culminates in a wedding before hundreds of their fans at the State Fair. We see the band flourish, flying so high that they even share a billing and a duet with Eddie Vedder (John Beckwith). (Be sure to watch all the way to the end of the documentary if this interests you to see a totally cool Pearl Jam moment.)

Then, life happens. Tragedy strikes, and we witness Mike and Claire struggle to cope with the realities of a serious injury, financial struggles, and family drama. While Kate Hudson’s vocals initially blew me away, it was her acting in this portion of the film that truly grabbed me. “Thunder,” recovering from a terrible car accident, becomes addicted to pain medication and ultimately enters inpatient rehabilitation. My heart broke wide open during the scene when Mike is admitting Claire to the facility and begs the caregiver to tell him he is doing the right thing for his beloved wife. Anyone who has ever had to care for someone with mental illness knows the struggle of a situation like this.

Despite the hardships Lightning & Thunder endure, their mutual love for music always remains at the heart of their love for one another. If you are a Neil Diamond fan, you’re treated to 133 minutes of pure joy. Jackman and Brewer bring their own takes to all of the greatest classics. I literally had to put my hand over my mouth at one point to keep from singing along. What I loved most was how Brewer found a way to make Diamond’s music such an organic part of the story. After my screening, I watched the original documentary. Doing so gave me deeper insights into the real Mike and Claire, their familial context, and the challenges they faced in choosing a life dedicated to performing. This is not an easy story. The documentary captured scenes that Brewer’s film soft-peddles. But at the heart of both stories is the undeniable passion Mike and Claire share for performing.

I believe in the power of music to heal, to bring us together, and to help us to love one another. I believe in pursuing our passions. Our world needs the arts, literature, and music. Being a creator in today’s world is not easy. But it matters. Song Sung Blue combines a compelling plotline, heartfelt performances, and incredible music. While the film is filled with tragedy and burdens, these characters and their stories remind us that recovery and healing are possible with resilience, gratitude, and love. You may come for the music, but you’ll walk out of the theater inspired to live life to the fullest.

This film is rated PG-13 for thematic material, some strong language, some sexual material, and brief drug use.

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Copyright 2025 Lisa M. Hendey
Images: Focus Features