Craig Brewer

Song Sung Blue

02/01/26

Cineworld, Edinburgh

It’s a fact universally acknowledged that the most unlikely film plots are those based on true stories. Take the tale of Mike and Claire Sardina for example, whose adventures have already made it to the screen in Greg Kohs’ 2008 documentary (also called Song Sung Blue). Writer/director Craig Brewer spotted its potential as a feature film and has adapted it into a heartwarming – and occasionally heartbreaking – feature. And should some of the events portrayed here raise your eyebrows, well, it only takes a quick Google search to establish that all this really did happen.

We first meet Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) in the early noughties as he performs an appealing song and chat routine… at his local AA meeting. He’s not had a drink for twenty years, but still considers himself an alcoholic. Divorced from his wife, he plies a precarious trade as a mechanic and makes a few dollars on the side performing songs in tribute acts to various rock stars – though he resists a powerful impulse to impersonate his idol, Neil Diamond, whom he feels he could never do justice to.

At a tribute night organised by his Buddy Holly-worshipping pal, Mark (Michael Imperioli), Mike sets eyes upon Claire (Kate Hudson), who is performing as Patsy Kline and there’s an immediate attraction between them. It isn’t long before they are dating and Claire soon persuades Mike to pursue those Neil Diamond ambitions, offering backing vocals and keyboards in support. Very soon after that, the two of them are married and their act, Lightning and Thunder, is having a lot of success in their native Milwaukee. But as their musical career soars like a meteor, something darker is waiting in the wings…

Song Sung Blue is an appealing story that easily sweeps me up and keeps me hooked throughout. It could so easily be unbearably mawkish but Brewer handles the material with great skill, so that what comes through is a genuine warmth and a sense of community, particularly from the various other tribute acts, who work alongside the central duo to ensure their success. Of course, it’s no surprise that Jackman can sing up a storm but Hudson is something of a revelation in this department, her distinctive, slightly husky vocals nailing every song with aplomb.

It’s lovely to watch the couple’s relationship enduring through the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and there’s also a winning sub plot in which Claire’s daughter, Rachel (Ella Anderson) and Mike’s daughter, Angelina (King Princess), develop a supportive friendship. Claire’s young son, Dana (Hudson Hensley), also makes a big impression simply by expressing open enthusiasm for everything his parents do and documenting much of what happens on his video camera.

If the first half is mostly joyful stuff, the second moves ever deeper into tragedy and I spend the latter stages of Song Sung Blue dreading what fresh disaster is going to assail the Sardinas next. I’m not ashamed to say that I watch some of the film’s scenes through a fog of tears.

And for those of you wondering, ‘Do I have to be a Neil Diamond fan to appreciate this?’ I can only point out that I would never class myself as a devotee, but I still have a lovely time with the film. And I come out singing Sweet Caroline.

4.2 stars

Philip Caveney

Dolemite is my Name

27/11/19

Whatever happened to Eddie Murphy? It’s a question I’ve often asked myself.

For those who weren’t moviegoers during the early 80s, it’s hard to convey the seismic impact he had on cinema. I still remember my first sight of him in Walter Hill’s 48 Hours, sitting alone in a prison cell, earphones in and singing raucously along to Roxanne. It was evident at a glance that he was going to be a massive movie star. And through that decade, that’s exactly what he became in films like Trading Places and Beverly Hills Cop.

But during the 90s, things went awry. A combination of poor film choices, and personal disasters contrived to push him further and further out of the public consciousness. With only occasional flashes of the old brilliance, it seemed to be over for him. So hearing that he is starring in a new movie, released without fanfare direct to Netflix comes as a bit of a surprise – as does the discovery that Dolemite Is My Name is actually pretty decent.

Murphy plays Rudy Ray Moore, a real life comedian/filmmaker, often referred to as the ‘Godfather of Rap’ and, moreover, a man who Murphy has often cited as an influence on his own early career. When we first encounter him, Moore is working by day as the manager of a Los Angeles record store; by night, he’s performing as a music club emcee, but failing to connect with audiences.

When Moore hears a homeless guy reciting  bawdy poetry about ‘Dolemite,’ a legendary character amongst older members of the local community, he spots an opportunity to reinvent himself as a standup comedian. Donning an afro wig, and some some flamboyant clothes he hits the stage. In his brash new potty-mouthed persona, he makes an instant connection with the customers, and his fame begins to spread.

When he subsequently offers his act to record labels, they shy away, horrified by the unashamedly sexual nature of the content. Undeterred, he decides to  record some albums himself with the aid of friends and relatives; and pretty soon, he finds himself on the billboard charts, selling records by the ton.

And then, one evening, a disappointing trip to the cinema gives him another idea. Why not write and produce a Dolemite movie? No film company wants to take it on, so once again, he has to find unconventional ways to make it happen…

It’s lovely to see some of Murphy’s old familiar spark being reignited here. Moore’s story is that of the classic underdog, the kind of guy who won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and whom audiences just can’t help rooting for. I’ve never caught up with the original Dolemite, but it’s clear from the scenes lovingly recreated here (and reprised in their original form in a post credits sequence) that this Blaxploitation classic belongs in the ‘so bad it’s good’ category. This sparky film, directed by Craig Brewer, tells the story with aplomb and the presence of Wesley Snipes as louche actor D’ouville Martin and (an uncredited) Bob Odenkirk as a predatory movie executive add to its appeal.

Anyone interested in seeing this can catch it any time they like on Netflix. As for Murphy, he has a Coming to America sequel in the works. It remains to be seen if that endeavour will be afforded the luxury of a theatrical release.

Fingers crossed.

4 stars

Philip Caveney