Song Sung Blue (2025) review

Don Ho impersonator Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) falls in love with hairdresser and singer Claire (Kate Hudson) and convinces her to join him as part of a Neil Diamond tribute act, which he calls "Lightning & Thunder" - at first, they have a difficult time landing gigs, then find some success, but a series of unfortunate events get in the way: Mike, a recovering alcoholic, has problems with his ticker (which is telegraphed early on) and then Claire is struck by a vehicle and loses the lower half of her left leg, which sends her into a depressive spiral.  This is based on a true story - and, more specifically, a 2008 documentary by Greg Kohs - and both Jackman and Hudson are decent as the leads (Hugh really gravitates to projects in which he can sing), but like the Bruce Springsteen biopic from 2025 the scenes where music isn't being played are rather dreary ... and, unlike The Boss, neither are exactly struggling with their "creative side" (since Mr. Diamond took care of that for them).  The idea of two "outsiders" finding their purpose in life by performing is quaint, but the finale is mawkish, as Mike has a cardiac episode, cracks his skull on the bathroom sink and then does One Last Show instead of seeking medical attention ... and then there's the funeral (you know, to try to coax out tears).  Incidentally, singer-songwriter Mikaela Mullaney Straus - better known as King Princess - plays Mike's daughter, and even though it's a small role for her, she holds her own.