Song Sung Blue: “Good Times Never Seemed So Good!”

This docudrama, Written & Directed by Craig Brewer, is a wonderful, true story about a 1980's Neil Diamond tribute band that became a sensation in Wisconsin.  Other than the numerous Neil Diamond hits that are played throughout the movie, this film has nothing to do with Neil Diamond.  The movie is based on a documentary about the cover band by Greg Kohs. Mike Sardina – a.k.a. "Lightning" (Hugh Jackman) – is a divorced former alcoholic, as well as Viet Nam veteran with P.T.S.D.  He is an excellent rock guitar player with a good voice, but he never made it.  Mike now sings Don Ho songs at the Wisconsin State Fair (absolute torture for him) and plays with some other local bands, but it isn't working out well for him.  While playing a gig, Mike meets Claire (Kate Hudson), a divorced woman who is singing Patsy Cline songs at the fair.  She also plays keyboards.  They are immediately attracted to each other.  (Who wouldn't be?)  Claire suggests that he would be great at singing Neil Diamond songs.  Mike loves Neil Diamond, but felt it would almost be sacrilegious to sing Neil Diamond cover songs Anyway, after becoming romantically involved, the two of them, along with some of Mike's musician friends, start up a Neil Diamond tribute band, "Lightning and Thunder."  The band becomes very successful, but there are significant obstacles in their personal lives.  Their lives make for an interesting story, and Jackman & Hudson have great chemistry.  Hudson is especially outstanding and I (as well as my sister) think she is a very under-rated actress.  (I even think she deserves an A.A. nomination!)  Most of Diamond's big hits are performed, and the band sounds terrific (with Jackman & Hudson doing the singing). P.S.: I hope you all enjoyed my son Noah's review of "Avatar: Fire and Ash."  I want him to write more reviews, but, for now, he won't make any commitment.  So, until then, as far as the movie blog goes, "I'll be what I am, a solitary man."