Song Sung Blue (2025) - A Heartwarming Musical Drama

I am an entertainer.

Song Sung Blue is a 2025 biography film about the real-life Milwaukee musical duo, Mike and Claire Sardina, and their rise to fame with a Neil Diamond tribute band, “Lightning & Thunder.” As they experience success, they undergo personal tragedy and family hardships in their personal lives.

Song Sung Blue is the perfect film to start the new year. This film is a refreshing take on the music-biopic genre. We’ve all had idols who inspired us. Song Sung Blue works both as a lively concert-style biography and as a mental health story. It reminds us that no matter what happens in life, the most important thing is to keep moving forward.

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are a spectacular duo as Mike and Claire Sardina. They light up the screen with electric chemistry, fantastic singing, and positive energy. They also sang live in the concert scenes. The duo’s passionate flair for music helps them in more ways than they realize.

Hudson is a strong actress. I like watching movies with her. I don’t think I knew she could sing. Claire encounters a bout of depression that affects her mental well-being. Hudson digs deep into her character’s mental health battle and shows the world how to continue when bad things happen.

While I am happy that Hudson merited a Golden Globe nomination, where’s Hugh Jackman’s nomination? He is equally amazing. Jackson has shown his expert singing abilities in Les Misérables (2012) and The Greatest Showman (2017). The scene where Jackson shines is an emotional and vulnerable moment where Mike makes a heartbreaking decision.

Credits include Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Hudson Hensley, King Princess, and more in supporting roles. Cecelia Riddett was hilarious in her small role as Grandma Stengl. Nothing impressed her.

After watching the 2008 documentary on Mike and Claire Sardina, Craig Brewer wanted to direct Song Sung Blue to tell their story to the world. This is not the first music story Brewer has told, directing films, Hustle and Flow (2005) and Dolemite is my Name (2019). Brewer said he has always been drawn to stories where people seek big dreams.

Brewer’s amazing attention to the concert scenes marvels in passion and the colorful world of an entertainer. He worked together with cinematographer Amy Vincent to create the concert-style. They used the documentary as a reference, and Vincent used color palettes for specific scenes.

The second half of the film completely changes in tone. The color drains. Claire has an incident that completely changes her life. Some scenes are hard to watch as Claire navigates difficult emotions, shouts hurtful things, and even has delusions.

Critics had mixed opinions, calling the film a melodrama. This is all important to the story. Brewer pays attention to the characters’ stories, the music, and mental health. Song Sung Blue is part concert and a mental health story. Mental health films are so important. Be honest about health. Mental illness is not a joke, and it’s okay to ask for help.

I watched this movie with a full audience who applauded, laughed, and enjoyed the film. I will never forget the gasp that echoed through the theater in one scene. At the end, my friend and I conversed with two older women about the music and the story. Movies bring people together. That’s my favorite part about movies.

I really enjoyed Song Sung Blue, and it made me feel hopeful. It’s a feel-good film. Movie theaters always enhance movies, which is why you must experience Song Sung Blue on the big screen.