SONG SONG BLUE follows its main characters, Mike and Claire, through both marriage and dream, wearing its heart openly, never pretending to be smarter than it is.
The story follows Mike (Hugh Jackman) and Claire (Kate Hudson), a married couple from Wisconsin who perform in a Neil Diamond tribute show under the name Lightning and Thunder. Mike is loud, hopeful and driven by the joy of performing. Claire is rational and more guarded, shaped by past disappointments and real life responsibilities.
Their act gains attention, especially when Mike receives a call from Eddie Vedder to perform the opening act for a Pearl Jam concert. Personal challenges begin to pile up. Money troubles, health issues and emotional distance all creep into their relationship. The movie, directed by Craig Brewer, The movie, directed by Craig Brewer, is based on a real life love story and is rooted in music, marriage and survival.
Brewer handles the music scenes with confidence, giving them a loose, grounded feel rather than polishing them into spectacle. On the surface, it may look like an feel-good music film, but it slowly reveals itself to be something more fragile and unsteady.
The performances are the film’s biggest strength. Hugh Jackman brings warmth and vulnerability to Mike and keeps the role from turning into a caricature, even when it does comes close to it at time. Jackman captures the essence of a performer who lives for applause and fears silence.
Kate Hudson delivers a brilliant, restrained performance, and it works in the film’s favour. Her Claire feels grounded and real, someone who has learned to protect herself whilst still seeking social connection. The chemistry between the two feels natural especially when Hugh Jackman’s character comes to her home for the first time, and is introduced to her son and daughter.
The supporting cast help to build a believable world around the central relationship. The film succeeds not because it dazzles, but because it tries to bring real life to the screen as it is lived, sung and survived…..and who can resist humming along to some of Neil Diamond’s classic songs.
