Song Sung Blue

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are luminous as not Neil Diamond impersonators, but Neil Diamond interpreters. Their sense of fun and drama is fantastic, and all of Neil’s greatest hits are at work here, worming their way into your brain on the mellifluous voices of Jackman and Hudson. It’s not all brightness and sunshine for this romantic couple and their kids, however, as drama rears its head to bring us back down to earth after soaring along to the sounds of Sweet Caroline. Both performances are great, and it currently has a 97% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Two huge Hollywood stars, very slightly dimming their imperishable glamour, in one of the most purely enjoyable films of the year, with heartfelt performances and joyous music.” -Nell Minow, Movie Mom
“You don’t have to be a Neil Diamond fan to like this movie–you don’t even have to respond to the callback in ‘Sweet Caroline.’ I loved it.” -Leonard Maltin, LeonardMaltin.com
“The stars’ charisma outshines the flaws of Song Sung Blue, a satisfying portrait of two Neil Diamond lovers who weathered hard times and sang their way into the hearts of others back then and now with this admirable film.” -Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
“We laugh, and then we cry at Song Sung Blue, because it’s inspiring to watch people doing the thing they love, random acts from the universe be damned.” -Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service
“It’s easy listening, easy watching. A sequin-saturated, warm and funny blast from the past with top notes of drama and tragedy.” -Nikki Gemmell, The Australian
“At its simplest, the movie is a flyover-state love story. You brace for condescension, but director Craig Brewer is better than that. Fun is had with the modest horizons of the semi-pro musician.” -Danny Leigh, Financial Times
“The determination to find greatness in the ordinary gives Song Sung Blue a magical, unforced luminescence that much more immodest films usually lack.” -Kyle Smith, Wall Street Journal
“Brewer creates a drama that is uplifting, heart-wrenching, and wondrous all at once.” -Kristy Puchko
“As absurd as their story is, it’s hard not to be won over by Lightning & Thunder. You will have ‘Sweet Caroline’ stuck in your head for what feels an eternity afterwards, though.” -Laura Venning, Empire Magazine
“The couple’s earnestness sounds mockable, but it’s not: They are too sincere, too joyful and too grateful to be doing the only thing that either of them ever wanted to do.” -Jeanette Catsoulis, New York Times

Song Sung Blue will open at The Clyde on Friday, January 16, and play Friday, Saturday, and Monday at 7:30, plus Sunday at 2:00. Yes, we were able to move this up a week to replace the second week of Avatar.