Song Sung Blue

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson shine as two troubled souls drawn to each other as much as they are to their shared love of Neil Diamond in this joyous musical drama from Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Dolemite is My Name).

In the mid-1990s, ageing Milwaukee single dad Mike (Jackman) meets single mother Claire (Hudson); both of them are passionate about performing, despite their inability to write their own songs. Enamoured of Neil Diamond, the man behind hits like ‘Sweet Caroline,’ Mike talks Claire into starting a Diamond cover band, calling themselves Lightning & Thunder. They quickly fall in love and get married, blending their families and building an audience with their propulsive live performances. But personal tragedy awaits, threatening to dash their dreams.

The Tony-winning Jackman is unsurprisingly terrific belting out Diamond’s demonstrative tunes, nicely mimicking the artist’s strident, emphatic voice. Hudson, who released her debut album last year, more than holds her own, providing a lilting counterpoint to Jackman’s powerful baritone.

Screening at Luna Leederville from January 1.