Don't Believe 97% on RT: This Musical Is a Critical Darling, but a Viewer's Nightmare
The story of a cover duo, which could have been touching and unique, is drowned out by predictability and creative laziness.
As awards season approaches, movies with high Rotten Tomatoes scores emerge, but these scores don't always reflect their actual artistic quality. This was precisely the fate of the musical drama Song Sung Blue, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.
Despite its impressive 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is a tedious, cliched, and emotionally empty imitation that mimics a biopic more than it is one.
What Is 'Song Sung Blue' About?
Based on real events and the 2008 documentary of the same name, the movie follows a married couple of cover singers from Milwaukee in the late 1980s.
Mike, a Vietnam veteran and former alcoholic, meets Claire, a cheerful single mother. After discovering their mutual love of music and talent, they form the duo "Lightning and Thunder," specializing exclusively in Neil Diamond covers.
Their career unexpectedly takes off, but a series of personal tragedies, from a devastating car accident to health problems, interrupts their path to success and tests their relationship and dreams.
'Song Sung Blue' Is a Dull Music Biopic That Adds Nothing New to the Genre
Director Craig Brewer, who demonstrated his talent in Dolemite Is My Name, plays it safe by imitating well-worn formulas.
Song Sung Blue resembles its main characters who perform other people's hits – the movie endlessly reproduces musical drama cliches about the rise and fall, offering neither an original perspective nor a fresh aesthetic.
Attempts to connect the creative journey with family dynamics feel forced. The idea that art has a healing power remains merely declarative and unsupported by a compelling script.
Consequently, viewers spend two hours with characters whose motives and experiences never become relatable or understandable.
Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson Performances in 'Song Sung Blue' Are Surprisingly Weak and Unconvincing
Given their Broadway and musical experience, it's unsurprising that Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson demonstrate excellent vocal talent. However, their acting is surprisingly weak.
They don't create a compelling onscreen partnership, and their characters seem like cardboard cutouts going through a series of memorized dramatic poses.
The intense awards campaign surrounding Hudson, which could earn her an Oscar nomination over much stronger competitors, is particularly puzzling.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Song Sung Blue'?
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Song Sung Blue has 78% from critics and 97% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.5/10.
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On Letterboxd, Song Sung Blue scored 3.4/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Song Sung Blue'?
Song Sung Blue is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
