For a film concerned with the tale a of “tribute” artist – that is a singer who makes a living performing the songs of and in the style of another (probably more well-known artist) – writer/director Craig Brewer’s Song Sung Blue is less a light-hearted guy from nowhere gets his big shot story (e.g. Mark Wahlberg in 2001’s Rock Star) than it is an attempt to portray the same as an American fable of sorts.
Hugh Jackman stars as an underemployed musician named Mike who just can’t seem to catch anything resembling a break. That is, until he meets Claire (Kate Hudson), another musician who performs as Patsy Cline. Once they meet, they not only develop a personal relationship, but decide to work together as a duo and perform with Mike headlining as Neil Diamond.
As their act gains momentum, they draw the attention of none other than Eddie Vedder (John Beckwith) who enlists them to open for his band – Pearl Jam – at their upcoming concert. Then, just as they appear on the cusp of achieving success, the couple are faced with hardship that forces their relationship to serve as the ballast that keeps both of them grounded to support one another.
Ostensibly based on a true story, the script, penned by director Brewer is less a gritty behind-the-scenes look at the music business the pair are trying to break into and more of an honest portrayal of a complicated couple trying to maintain a relationship despite the numerous pitfalls placed in front of them. In this respect, it plays more as a feel good film than anything else, and that proves to be its strength.
While the film doesn’t boast the grit and bombastic narrative of Brewer’s earlier films like Hustle & Flow (2005) or Black Snake Moan (2006), it does work much better as a rags-to-riches tale than does his remake of Footloose (2011) or the ill-fated sequel Coming 2 America (2021).
Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman in “Song Sung Blue.” Photo by Courtesy of Focus Features © 2025 Focus Features, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
As Mike, Jackman is the emotional anchor of the film and he communicates his love of music – particularly that of Neil Diamond – admirably. Remarkably he does a fine job as a Neil Diamond impersonator as well. So too does Kate Hudson as his paramour to be. Other face such as Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi show up and deliver some understated work as supporting players moving Mike’s story along.
Overall, the film has a clean and often familiar look. It is obviously a story that has been told before and will probably be told again – and probably not too soon. But it is one that is driven by the likability of the actors involved and the relationship built between them in their short time together. For this reason, Song Sung Blue deserves to be viewed as something heartfelt and honest.
| Producer: | Craig Brewer, John Davis, John Fox |
| Release Date: | December 25, 2025 |
| Running Time: | 133 minutes |
| Starring: | Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Ella Anderson, Hudson Hensley, King Princess, Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Mustafa Shakir, John Beckwith, Jayson Warner Smith, Cecelia Riddett, Sean Allan Krill |
| Writer: | Craig Brewer |
| MPAA Rating: | PG-13 (for thematic material, some strong language, some sexual material and brief drug use) |
| Director: | Craig Brewer |
| Distributor: | Focus Features |
| External Info: | Official Website |
