Stars shine singing Neil Diamond tunes

The title Song Sung Blue implies a basic biopic about Neil Diamond but the movie offers surprises. Diamond never appears, but his music does in a sprung-from-real-life story about a tribute act from Minnesota.  Playing a cover artist named Mike Sardina, star Hugh Jackman admits he neither looks nor sounds like Neil Diamond. As his partner Claire, Kate Hudson says no matter—the team pays tribute to and interprets the pop singer’s numbers. And given how many people love Neil Diamond songs, the concept works just fine for the couple in real life and as a movie. In the hands of director Criag Brewer, co-writing with Greg Kohs, the concept takes a bouncy likeable stride with its high-powered stars, who hit all the right tones and show genuine rapport with one another during the first hour. Hour two arrives, and following what really happened, events justify the title’s sad, blue note. The resulting drama gives Hudson an extra chance to shine in a role she already nailed with her magnetic smile and musical skills, while Jackman remains impressively strong.  Drama adds depth, but the movie’s key lure remains the catchy tunes penned by Diamond and recreated by the movie’s band called Lightning

and Thunder. Just try not to add a round of “So Good! So Good” when the group plays “Sweet Caroline.” And as it turns out, despite its melancholy moments, Song Sung Blue comes off as both enjoyable and uplifting.