Lightning was Mike Sardinia, who initially covered the waterfront of tribute bands. It was Claire Stigl, to be known as Thunder, who suggested he specialize in Neil Diamond. Her Patsy Cline act worked okay, but when they teamed up, they started to make some headway in the Milwaukee club scene.
Obviously, Sardinia was the front man, but Stingl was still an important part of the band. Stigl was also an important part of Sardinia’s life, especially when they married. Both happened to have teenaged daughters from previous marriages: Angela Sardinia and Rachel Cartwright. Stigl also had a young son Dayna. Yet the step-siblings accepted each other and their new step-parents well enough over time.
The music business was still a grind for Lightning and Thunder, just like it is for everyone else. However, life dealt them several tragic blows. In fact, the timing of their tribulations seems cosmically cruel. Yet, we can’t blame Brewer for that, since his screenplay follows the facts of their lives.
Frankly, Focus really hasn’t marketed this film correctly, because it is truly a story about the loving bonds of family. It is also worth noting Sardinia’s experience as a Vietnam veteran plays a not inconsequential (and largely positive) role in this film. In fact, there is a scene shared by Hugh Jackman and Ella Anderson, in which Sardinia tries to impart some Marine Corps wisdom to his step-daughter that ought to make the film a blockbuster in Red State country. (You could even credibly describe the film as “pro-life,” so get onboard, Evangelicals.)
Jackman is a regular star on Broadway, so his tuneful facility with the Diamond songbook should come as no surprise. As Sardinia repeatedly says, Jackman is “huge” as Lightning. Kate Hudson’s ability to successfully interpret Diamond and Cline is perhaps a bigger story, because it is so unexpected. They have real chemistry together. As a result, their rough patches hold real tension and discomfort.
Diamond fans should rest assured they do justice to his originals. Yes, there is “Sweet Caroline,” which becomes a comedic motif, representing Sardinia’s reluctance to pander. However, he would be happy to know the film’s best numbers represent the spirituality of Diamond’s music, like the passionate “Soolaimon” that leads into “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,” which was written as a satire of fast-talking Elmer Gantry-types, but transforms into a genuine old-time revival. Recommended for Diamond and Jackman fans, as well as audiences who appreciate honest, blue-collar family dramas, Song Sung Blue is now playing in theaters.
