Movie Review: Song Sung Blue

To say that 2026 has been off to a rocky start would be something of an understatement, and with the near constant barrage of upsetting news, we could all use a little uplift. For the first half of Song Sung Blue, it felt like it was just the movie we needed right now, reaching ever-greater heights of pure joy and keeping a smile plastered on every viewer’s face. I guess it wouldn’t be that interesting of a story though if it was all “good times”, and the real lives of Mike (Hugh Jackman) and Claire Sardina (Kate Hudson) which the movie is based on are full of some shocking tragedies.

The couple are both working as musical impersonators when they first meet at the Wisconsin State Fair and instantly feel a spark of connection. Before long, they are working together as Lightning and Thunder, with Mike singing as his idol Neil Diamond and several of their friends from the local circuit backing them up. Their first performance doesn’t go all that well, but Diamond’s music is nothing if not catchy, and soon enough they begin to make a name for themselves.

But just as everything seems to be going their way, disaster strikes, and their act needs to be put on indefinite hiatus. As a result, Claire becomes addicted to painkillers, which not only makes their comeback seem less and less likely, but also puts immense strain on her relationship with Mike (himself an ex-alcoholic with cardiac issues) and her children. They’ll all have to work together to salvage their family before it’s too late.

It’s admittedly jarring to go through such a tonal shift midway through the movie, but it’s also surprisingly effective. Writer and director Craig Brewer has so capably brought us to the same emotional highs that the couple, their family, and bandmates were likely feeling that when fate intercedes it’s as much of a punch in the gut to us as it probably was for them. Jackman and Hudson give remarkable performances as the two leads, navigating the story’s emotional whiplash with remarkable clarity and compassion. Ella Anderson, King Princess, and Hudson Hensley also shine as the children caught in the crosscurrents of their parents’ lives.

There are some pacing issues, with the very beginning lagging slightly and at least two moments I can recall in which fairly significant emotional shifts were too abruptly handled, but the compelling story, convincing performances, and infectious music keep the audience fully engaged. This isn’t a showy movie, but not everything needs to be. Instead, Brewer and crew have delivered a genuine crowd-pleaser that will have viewers laughing, crying, and tapping their feet (if not outright singing along). It touches on some problems that face many Americans, most notably our malfunctioning healthcare system, but more than anything it is about the value of family, the power of a dream, and the near-magical ability of music to get us through almost anything. ★★★★