Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson chase a dream in ‘Song Sung Blue,’ the year’s stealth Oscar contender

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Hugh Jackman never thought he’d be a karaoke guy. But then Neil Diamond happened.

I’m really excited about this new movie, “Song Sung Blue,” coming out on Christmas! It stars Kate Hudson and a fantastic actor playing a really interesting character. He’s not actually playing Neil Diamond, but a guy named Mike Sardina – a tribute artist, if you will. The film tells the true story of Mike and his wife, Claire, who formed a Neil Diamond tribute band and surprisingly found success with it back in the mid-90s in Milwaukee. It’s a cool twist – he’s an ‘interpreter’ of Neil Diamond’s music, not trying to be the man himself.

This movie is what initially led actor Hugh Jackman to visit a Colorado ranch owned by Diamond. During a singing session there, Jackman enjoyed it so much that he decided to purchase his own karaoke machine.

Hugh Jackman admits he usually avoids karaoke. Speaking over Zoom from a New York hotel, he explained that after singing with Neil, he changed his mind and decided to participate. He jokingly described it as if he were admitting to something wrong.

Neil Diamond performed a solo of “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Misérables,” acknowledging Hugh Jackman’s background in musical theater. Then, the two sang Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and Diamond’s signature song, “Sweet Caroline.” It was a truly joyful moment.

It was seriously the best hang session ever! When Hudson joined the video call, you could tell she was jealous – and it totally matched her green sweater! She immediately said she couldn’t believe she missed out on all the karaoke fun, and that she even has her own setup at home with a microphone and everything. She was clearly feeling left out, and honestly, I kind of felt bad for her!

The film “Song Sung Blue” tells the story of both Claire and Mike Sardinas, a couple whose love blossomed alongside their musical partnership, set to the music of Neil Diamond. The movie is based on a 2008 documentary of the same name. They achieved local fame, even performing with Pearl Jam at Eddie Vedder’s invitation, and were known as the duo “Lightning & Thunder” during their most successful period.

Hugh Jackman seems perfectly suited to play Sardina, a Vietnam War veteran and mechanic who dreams of performing. Jackman effortlessly transitions between roles like Wolverine and Broadway characters, making this part ideal for him. Craig Brewer, the writer and director of “Song Sung Blue,” first discovered the documentary at a film festival in Memphis and immediately pictured Jackman as the energetic man from Wisconsin.

According to Brewer, speaking from his home in Memphis, Hugh was the only one who truly understood Mike Sardina’s flamboyant performance style. Brewer explains that Sardina creates a complex character – a working-class man with a deep desire to entertain, and he’ll go all out, even with flashy outfits, to give the audience a memorable show.

Even though Hugh Jackman is known for playing charismatic performers like Peter Allen and P.T. Barnum, this role felt different. “I had to let go of my own performing persona to become Mike,” Jackman explains. He struggled to understand how the character finds himself through his love for Neil, admitting it took time to discover Mike’s inner life and stop relying on his usual performance style, as Jackman is also a performer himself.

In the end, Jackman’s Neil Diamond impression didn’t solve the problem, although the director, Brewer, actually wanted him to really lean into it. Brewer recalls telling him to ‘add a little more flair’.

Instead, Jackman’s breakthrough came via deep self-identification.

Jackman explains that his ambitions were always large, but the way things unfolded wasn’t what he expected. He describes a situation where the combined effort created something unexpectedly significant – a sudden rise to prominence. He also notes that becoming a famous movie star known for musicals wasn’t part of his plan. In fact, he hadn’t sung publicly before an audition after college unexpectedly changed his career path.

Kate Hudson isn’t the first actress people might think of for this role. Known for her work in romantic comedies, she’s already receiving praise for playing a very different character: a vulnerable, Midwestern mother who’s been through a lot. It’s a far cry from the glamorous roles she usually takes on. The part required her to explore difficult emotions, portraying depression and painkiller addiction, but Hudson says she wasn’t afraid of the challenge, despite typically playing lighter, more carefree characters.

Growing up with parents who are actors, like Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, made it easy to forget about the cameras while performing. She explains that you focus on the character and what the role demands, rather than any sense of glamour. This kind of immersion is what actors truly strive for – it’s like being completely lost in the part and stepping outside of yourself.

This new opportunity felt perfect for Hudson, as it aligned with her aspirations as a recording artist. Although she released her first album, “Glorious,” just last year, she’s always considered herself a singer-songwriter. She admits she used to be afraid to share her songs publicly. “I’ve loved being in the studio since I was 19,” she says, “but I was too scared to actually release my music.”

I remember when Hugh Jackman realized what a natural performer Darren Criss was – it was actually while they were recording the songs for the movie! He told me Darren was so comfortable and at ease, saying, ‘You’re a musician!’ and Darren just lit up. It was clear he was completely in his element.

“I’ve always had a lot of cheerleaders for me to do music,” Hudson replies, sheepishly.

It feels like a fitting return for Kate Hudson, who earned an Oscar nomination for her role as Penny Lane in Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film, “Almost Famous.” That experience had a lasting impact on her, and she’s remained friends with Crowe ever since. She’s currently reading his latest book, “The Uncool,” in preparation for interviewing him during his book tour.

Even though Penny Lane has greatly influenced her life, Hudson doesn’t believe there’s a direct connection between Penny Lane and Claire. She instead sees a difference between people who are drawn to the excitement of the music scene – being at concerts or backstage – and those who are driven by a deep need to create and share their own music.

She explained that with Claire, she feels compelled to express herself, no matter the situation. She compared this feeling to her passion for music, saying she simply needs to create it, regardless of the circumstances.

As a total movie buff, I found it really interesting learning about how the real Claire Sardina and the young actors playing her kids, Ella Anderson and Hudson Hensley, were all-in on the film ‘Song Sung Blue.’ But Hudson, the actor, had a smart approach – he wanted to create his own version of Claire, staying true to the character rather than just copying what someone else did. He felt that every acting choice should come from understanding the character, not from imitation. It’s a really thoughtful way to look at the craft, honestly.

Avoiding imitation and truly connecting with the emotions of each scene was especially important for the film’s deeply sad second half. This is when Claire is struck by a car and loses a leg, leading to feelings of self-hatred, depression, a distorted body image, and addiction. Hudson underwent significant physical training to realistically portray Claire’s struggles. As she explains, “An actor’s movement is incredibly important – it’s not just about the emotions, but about physically reshaping how you think.”

Besides learning from YouTube videos and talking to people with disabilities, Hudson also received helpful guidance from her father, a well-known actor.

According to Kurt, Claire reminds him of Rocky – someone who never gives up and keeps fighting. My dad was especially touched by Claire’s desire to become self-sufficient and rebuild her life.

Jackman was deeply impressed by Hudson’s courageous and talented performance, pointing out that she even managed to incorporate a nuance that the actual Claire had shared with him privately.

He recalls Claire saying that Mike was primarily attracted to legs. He thought Kate portrayed the resulting insecurity – the worry of whether a partner still finds you attractive – beautifully and found it deeply affecting.

Hudson was excited to take on the project, but she was concerned about something she couldn’t manage herself. The success of “Song Sung Blue” depended on the actors playing Claire and Mike being perfectly synchronized – one needed to deliver the dialogue, while the other performed the music.

According to Hudson, it’s incredibly difficult to pretend to have romantic chemistry with someone. Real connection and falling in love are essential, and that was his biggest worry when acting in romantic roles.

Jackman recalled feeling the same way. He remembered after their first read-through of the script, she’d said the film would succeed only if they all put in the effort.

Honestly, I was a little worried about how things would go, but it turned out great! As Brewer put it, they really had each other’s backs – like they were supporting each other while walking a tightrope. It was amazing to see, and the whole crew was really inspired by their connection and mutual respect.

It’s clear how kind and considerate Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are to each other. During our conversation, Jackman consistently made sure Hudson felt comfortable and had a chance to share her perspective after each story. Despite this being their first time working together, they have a natural and comfortable chemistry, like they’ve been co-stars for years.

Jackman explains that stepping into these characters felt natural. He describes a sense of trust throughout the filming process, allowing him and the other actors to fully immerse themselves in the complex emotions of the story – the frustration, paranoia, anger, loss, and fear. He felt a lot of freedom to explore different approaches with each take, making every scene feel unique.

Hudson chuckled and explained she’d already told Hugh she’s very affectionate. She said she let him know it was okay to tell her if she was being too forward, as she planned on kissing him frequently.

Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman are both genuinely warm and outgoing people, and they’ve always enjoyed being around others. “We really love connecting with people,” Hudson explains. “We don’t create distance between ourselves and others. We’re both very social and enjoy being part of a team. On set, we’re right there with everyone – there’s no dividing line between the cast and crew. It’s unusual to find someone who operates that way.”

That willingness to be open and honest enabled Hudson and Jackman to connect with Claire and Mike in a genuine way, which was crucial for a film that deeply celebrates both the triumphs and struggles of those who dare to dream.

Hugh Jackman shared a touching story about a conversation with Eddie Vedder. Vedder had said, ‘Some people might think these individuals didn’t achieve much. Their ambitions may have seemed unrealistic, but dreams have incredible power—and after 30 years, those dreams have come to fruition.’

The Sardinas have come a long way, going from playing small clubs in Milwaukee to having their story told in a major movie – they’ve even surprised themselves! It’s truly inspiring, enough to make anyone a fan.

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2025-11-19 14:32