SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Ever since watching this film, the catchy tunes of Neil Diamond have been playing on repeat in my mind. If the filmmakers aimed to make Diamond’s music unforgettable, then “Song Sung Blue” hits the mark perfectly.

Contrary to the usual biographical music films that flood cinemas around awards season, “Song Sung Blue” stands out. Typically, these films feature top-tier actors morphing into iconic musicians, often stirring Oscar buzz—like last year’s Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan or this year’s Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen. However, this movie doesn’t chronicle Neil Diamond’s life. Instead, it tells the genuine tale of Mike and Claire Sardina, a Midwest duo so inspired by Diamond that they formed a tribute band called Lightning and Thunder.

The Sardinas’ story is vividly portrayed by the talented Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Jackman, in particular, shines with infectious enthusiasm, embracing the chance to perform these legendary hits, suggesting he should delve more into musicals than superhero flicks. Yet, it’s Hudson’s portrayal of Claire that steals the spotlight, delivering a performance that is both poignant and deeply moving—arguably her best in recent years.

Sadly, the screenplay doesn’t quite reach the same heights as the actors’ performances. Although it draws from a true story and a documentary about the Sardinas, the narrative glosses over the family’s—especially Claire’s—trials. The events unfold abruptly and are scarcely examined, with the focus predominantly on Mike’s viewpoint. This is unfortunate, as it paints Mike as somewhat flawless.

Mike’s past hardships are touched upon briefly, portraying him as an impeccable figure who everyone relies on to resolve issues. This portrayal lacks the complexity that Claire’s character demands. Additionally, the film skirts around Claire’s challenges, failing to delve into her experiences. She fades into the background for much of the second act, only to reappear seemingly transformed. Her struggles are briefly acknowledged upon her return, but, once again, it is Mike who is seen as the savior, leaving Claire’s journey largely unexplored.

The film also struggles to balance its tone. In some scenes, it’s an emotional family drama before launching into a sparkling musical number. It’s enough tonal whiplash to make your head spin.

The film is directed by Craig Brewer, who is no stranger to music in film. His previous works include the Memphis-set drama “Hustle & Flow” and the 2011 remake of “Footloose.” The next film he’s set to direct is a biopic of rapper Snoop Dogg.

Brewer directs this film’s musical sequences with passion and flair. He knows audiences are coming for the tunes of Neil Diamond and those scenes are easily the highlights. The songs are also performed in their entirety, which is refreshing to see in a music biopic and adds a lot to Jackman and Hudson’s excellent performances.

“Song Sung Blue” is a crowd-pleaser, for better and for worse. Fans of Neil Diamond and newcomers to his music alike will find a lot to enjoy in this film if they’re willing to look past some massive script and tone issues and focus on the excellent work of the film’s central performers. Just be aware that you will be humming both the title track and “Sweet Caroline” the whole way home and for some time after you see the film. I didn’t love it but there is a lot to love.

Overall Rating: 2 stars out of 5

“Song Sung Blue” opens in theaters nationwide on December 25th.