I’m Trevor with the Sasquatch Movie Minute taking a look at SONG SUNG BLUES, directed by Craig Brewer, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as a couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band and their life journeys.

 

3.5 out of 5

 

I was dreading seeing this movie. I’m not a big fan of music biopics (the format was permanently broken by the excellent parody WALK HARD), and I don’t know Neil Diamond’s music. But this is a smart film and it dodges the biopic label by being the story of 2 Neil Diamond IMPERSONATORS, not the man himself. I knew more Neil Diamond music than I thought and I have always adored Craig Brewer’s deep love of music (plug for BLACK SNAKE MOAN). The story is sweet, but surprisingly turns into a couple different films around its mid-point that I was unprepared for. It messes up the momentum, plus there is some narrative sloppiness that distracts, but the music and acting carry the wholesome feeling through the end.

 

Best Scene. There is a karaoke sequence in a dim sum restaurant that was excellent. Kate Hudson needs to perform and dazzle the audience with her light, but she also needs to show that she is not quite fully comfortable there on stage. She treads this line extremely well in this scene, and that delicate performance really opened up a whole spring of empathy for her character.

 

Performance. Ella Anderson as the daughter was a find. It’s a role we have seen a million times, the angsty daughter of divorce, but Anderson gives the role shades of pragmatism and loyalty that make her stand out. Obviously, Hugh Jackman can deliver in the songs, but he also really kills it in a late scene at the kitchen table. Kate Hudson is very good, for her, not quite sure its as strong as her work in ALMOST FAMOUS or as good as Reese Witherspoon in a similar role in WALK THE LINE.

 

A delightful, if oddly paced film. See it for some damn good music!