Lightning had no taste for “Sweet Caroline.” Well there’s a sentence I never imagined myself saying. And yet, such aptly describes how musical Neil Diamond acolyte Mike (aka “Lightning”) feels about reducing his personal God to one overplayed song most often heard from drunks at Fenway Park. Bomp bomp bomp.
Our period of movies-with-big-aspirations continues today with Song Sung Blue, which is not only a terrible name for a movie; it is also a terrible name for a song. However, this particular Song is Sung by former Blue-out drunk Mike (Hugh Jackman) on every anniversary of his sober tour. Of course, if I’m at AA when this guy shows up with guitar, I’d really wonder if I deserved what was coming.
After giving us his soft side celebrating 20 years sober, Lightning then gives up his hard side – the musical chameleon refuses to sing “Tiny Bubbles” at the state fair because he “looks nothing like Don Ho.” This 100% true but does not endear him to the promoter. Overhearing his dilemma, Patsy Cline impersonator, Claire (“Thunder” to be named later) is intrigued. Well, gosh, maybe these two can work together, huh?
But what do they both like?
The answer, of course, is Neil Diamond. And Thunder and Lightning, a Neil Diamond Experience, is born.
Two immediate thoughts:
1) Whoa, hey, these guys are not bad. Both Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson (Claire) have more musical talent than I would have guessed.
2) Neil Diamond also has more musical talent than I’d have guessed.
Huh. Where does that leave us? Oh, this is a “making the band” movie, isn’t it? Except these bandmates are both hella old. In fact, both have adult daughters (Kudos to Ella Anderson, who isn’t ‘ella old, but gives a ‘ella good performance here) which kinda spoils the “kids feeling out their power” vibe. As
does Mike’s insistence that Thunder & Lightning begin each show with “Soolaimon,” a song guaranteed to impress only the pickiest of Neil Diamond fans.
You probably can guess neither how high nor how low this film gets. Let’s just say there are most definitely adult milestones ahead. I cannot say it was a great ride, but for a biography it surely wasn’t predictable.
Not unlike Lightning & Thunder themselves, Song Sung Blue is like a Best Picture cover band. It’s clearly not a Best Picture, but if you drink too much, then squint and turn your head sideways, you can kinda make out the Best Picture material somewhere in there. A little. Not much. Don’t be silly. I don’t expect any awards out of this one, but I’d be much happier seeing this mediocrity with hardware than Marty Supreme.
There once was a man who sung Neil
It improved every way that he’d feel
He got a partner in tow
And they’d both sign for show
I’d have a punchline, but this ain’t a big deal
Rated PG-13, 132 Minutes
Director: Craig Brewer
Writer: Craig Brewer, Greg Kohs
Genre: All Neil all the time
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Neil Diamond fans
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: If you don’t like Neil Diamond, stay far away from this one
