Movie: Song Sung Blue (2025)
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson
Review by: Kirk Dulin
Review Type: SPOILER FREE

---

How I Accidentally Became a “Diamond Head”

I never wanted to watch this movie. From the moment I saw Hugh Jackman’s wig in the movie trailer, I proclaimed: “NOPE”. Why? There’s not an iota of emotional connection I have with Neil Diamond’s entire discography (that’s right, Sweet Caroline is fun, but if I’m not at a wedding, I couldn’t care less).

My humbling moment? I requested an early screening link (somehow) and I was mandated to review it. What a first world problem…

So I clicked play to “get it over with”, and my entire perspective was changed within the first 30 seconds of the film. 

OPENING SCENE:

EXTREME CLOSE UP. Hugh Jackman lightly strumming his guitar (unseen) and speaking at the front of a group. “Basic”, I thought.

EXTREMELY SLOW ZOOM OUT to reveal Hugh Jackman’s entire body. BUT before we do, and while we are still tight on his face, he smiles. And he’s missing a tooth. “Whoa. Where is THAT going?”, I thought. 

From that moment, I was hooked.

---

BEAUTIFUL NOISE

Song Sung Blue (2025), ironically, isn’t about Neil Diamond. FUN FACT: This marks the SECOND film (that I know of) to have Neil Diamond as a major plot point, but not be a direct biopic of the musician himself (see Saving Silverman (2001)). Instead, we follow the journey of Mike and Claire, each at their own crossroads in life, join together to form a musical team. They are very intentional on not being a “Neil Diamond Tribute Band.” Instead, they agree on “A Neil Diamond Experience.” 

Director and Co-Writer Craig Brewer – Hustle & Flow (2005), Black Snake Moan (2006), Dolemite is My Name (2019) – masterfully intertwines the characters’ present day obstacles while weaving in actionable exposition of their past. This has been a HUGE problem for films in 2024 and 2025, and both Brewer and his writing partner Greg Kohs – who wrote and directed the documentary of the real life couple in Song Sung Blue (2008) – absolutely school modern day screenwriters, showcasing a carefully crafted screenplay digestible for audiences. 

Hugh Jackman, last seen by audiences in his blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), takes on a completely different form as an ambitious singer/performer. The Academy Award Nominee displays his laser sharp focus for immersing himself in a character, and pouring his heart through the screen for us to practically taste the sweat from his concert costumes. Costumes that are perfectly crafted for our characters. 

This charming film also features Kate Hudson (Glass Onion (2022)). Often cast aside for a whimsical, male-gaze comedienne, Hudson turns heads in a refreshing lens, offering a uniquely grounded (and eccentric) character, with the most difficult story arc in the cast. Gracefully, she pulls us forward in our seats while floating harmonies and solos against Jackman. 

Supporting our leads is one DEFINITELY to watch: Ella Anderson. Former Nickelodeon star (Henry Danger (2014-2020)) Anderson plays Hudson’s daughter with her skepticism dialed up to eleven. She experiences her own celebrations and hardships that are equally unexpected in the grander story of these people’s lives, reminding us all that we are stronger than we may believe, especially when someone believes in us.

---

SONG SUNG BLUE

In Neil Diamond’s beloved song, his lyrics are sneakily poetic:

“Song sung blue
Everybody knows one”

and later

“Funny thing, but you can sing it with a cry in your voice
And before you know, it get to feeling good,
You simply got no choice”

Diamond’s lyrics remind us that we all go through trials in our lives, and that whatever pain that might bring, is that we are hardwired to “feeling good”. Falling in love with a Neil Diamond tribute…er…experience band is so specific of a story that it can only sink or swim with audiences. Conceptually, I cannot fathom how to market this story to an audience.

Somehow, the creative team delivers audiences true storytelling with the vibrant color palette, explosive camera movements circling our stars and the concert spaces, and perfectly captured moments between both strangers and friends celebrating life when life doesn’t make sense to celebrate. 

I encourage you all to see this beautiful film…it’s huge. 

Score: 9.5/10 kernels

Review by: Kirk Dulin

---

SONG SUNG BLUE releases in theatres on December 25, 2025.

Film Production Credits: