Jeri Jacquin
Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Craig Brewer and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of love and music with SONG SUNG BLUE.
Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) is at a state fair to do a Don Ho impersonation when he meets Claire Stengl (Kate Hudson) who hits the state fair stage singing Patsy Cline. It is the 80’s and she suggests that Mike might want to be a Neil Diamond singer. Instantly, he finds himself drawn to her and, at the same time, decides that perhaps it’s time to try her suggestion. Meeting up with her again, they start to find their melody together.
Deciding to call themselves Lightning and Thunder, they become a Neil Diamond tribute band. They also marry and bring together Claire’s daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson) and son Dana (Hudson Hensley) with Mike’s daughter Angelina (King Princess). As their shows start to take off, they find themselves opening for Pearl Jam and joined on stage with Eddie Vedder. As fast as they rise, the faster they fall when Claire is hit by a car and all their lives begin to change.
While Mike is keeping his health issues a secret, Claire goes into a depression from the accident, and the kids don’t know exactly how to deal with the adults. When Claire can’t handle the situation any longer, Mike steps in and tries his best to keep the family together doing odd jobs. Once she realizes the effects all of this is having on her family, she urges Mike to bring Lightening and Thunder back to the stage once again.
Their biggest gig is about to happen with a dream of meeting their idol about to come true.
Jackman as Mike is a man who just wants to perform for audiences. When he meets Claire, his life changes in ways he never expected. Once the performances take off, Mike, Claire and the family are thrilled going from one experience to the other. Jackman gives the performance of a man who has his past issues but he sees a forever future with Claire. The performance is charming and fun.
Hudson as Claire is a mom with two kids who finds a connection with Mike and music. Together they are a duo that works but when her life is changed by an accident, she doesn’t know how to deal with her feelings. It is the needs of her family and the music that brings her back for a performance that is filled love and excitement.
Anderson as Rachel is a young woman struggling with the adults around her. There comes a moment when she is stuck between her own problems and handling a family that feel broken. Anderson does a spectacular job. Hensley as Dana is thrilled with Mike and his mother and is their biggest fan. Princess as Angelina wants what’s best for her father and, like Rachel, is her parent’s biggest supporter.
Other cast include Mustafa Shakir as Sex Machine, John Beckwith as Eddie Vedder, Jackie Cox as Babs, Fisher Stevens as Dave Watson, Cecelia Riddett as Grandma Stengl, Sean Krill as Buddy Holmes, Michael Imperioli as Mark Shurilla and John Belushi as Tom D’Amato.
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.
MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.
Bonus Features include Extended Performances, One Plus One Equals Three, Lightning in a Bottle, Eye For Style and Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Craig Brewer.
SONG SUNG BLUE is definitely an emotional film and one that Neil Diamond fans can embrace. The characters are so complex with each having issues that could make or break any family. It is the music that is the glue to the story with a great chemistry between Jackman and Hudson.
It is definitely a ride into the 80’s with clothing styles, hair, cars and even the houses looking a bit Brady Bunch. The added nostalgia is the television show the family watches like Richard Dawson in Family Feud (Google it kids!). Every song is a Neil Diamon hit and fun to watch Jackman and Hudson perform. The film is a mixture of memorable music and the story of those who embraced it.
In the end – inspired by a legend and bound by a dream!
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