Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson step into a remarkable real-life love story in Song Sung Blue, the upcoming musical drama inspired by Milwaukee couple Mike and Claire Sardina.
The pair rose to unexpected fame as ‘Lightning & Thunder’, a Neil Diamond tribute act that transformed their shared love of performing into something far bigger and more meaningful than they ever anticipated.
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Directed by Craig Brewer, the film brings their world to life with a rich supporting cast and a tone that captures the warmth, charm and slightly eccentric energy that surrounded the Sardinas throughout their years on stage.
What Is Song Sung Blue About?
At its core, Song Sung Blue follows two people searching for steadiness while holding tight to a lifelong dream. Hugh Jackman plays Mike Sardina, a divorced Vietnam veteran quietly proud of reaching twenty years of sobriety in the late 1980s.
It is in this moment of hard-won stability that he meets Claire Stengl, played by Kate Hudson, and a spark of connection grows into a partnership that reshapes both their lives. Onstage and at home, they find a sense of purpose they had almost stopped believing in.
The film unfolds as a finely tuned mix of melancholy and lift, celebrating the resilience and tenderness of two ordinary people who keep pushing forward even when the odds turn against them.
Director Craig Brewer avoids sentimentality and instead grounds the story in honest emotion, bolstered by music that rises exactly when the characters need it most.
Who Makes Up The Song Sung Blue Cast?
Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman attend the “Song Sung Blue” UK Premiere. Image: Getty
Alongside Jackman and Hudson, supporting performances include Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, Mustafa Shakir, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi.
Hudson’s portrayal of Claire has already earned significant attention, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.
Taking on the role also encouraged her to reconnect with her own musical roots. In an interview with the LA Times, she explained that she had spent years in the studio but had long been afraid to release her music publicly. Her debut album, Glorious, eventually arrived in 2024.
Both Hudson and Jackman have spoken about the connection they needed to develop in order to portray the couple with authenticity. As Hudson explained, “One of the hardest things to do is fake chemistry. You cannot do that. You have to actually fall in love with each other and find the chemical connection.”
Song Sung Blue 2008 Documentary: Where To Watch In Australia
The film is directly inspired by the 2008 documentary Song Sung Blue, directed by Greg Kohs. If you want to experience the real story before seeing the movie, the documentary is available to watch on YouTube.
Song Sung Blue Movie Release Date
Song Sung Blue will debut in international cinemas on Christmas Day, which translates to Boxing Day in Australia. A streaming release has not yet been confirmed.
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