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Song Sung Blue (2025): Pack Up the Babies and Grab the Old Ladies, and Everyone Else For That Matter

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Song Sung Blue” is directed by Craig Brewer (Dolemite Is My Name, Coming 2 America) and stars Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Real Steel), Kate Hudson (You, Me, and Dupree, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery), Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos, Oh Canada), Ella Anderson (The Glass Castle, Henry Danger), Mustafa Shakir (Brawl in Cell Block 99, Love Hurts), Fisher Stevens (Succession, Key West), and Jim Belushi (According to Jim, Saturday Night Live). Inspired by true events as well as a documentary of the same name, this film is about Lightning and Thunder, a husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act. The story explores the couple’s relationship and adventures in performing.

Courtesy of Focus Features. ©  – © 2025 Focus Features, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

I was first alerted to “Song Sung Blue” by my mom, back when she told me she wanted to see what she referred to as “the Neil Diamond movie.” Color me shocked and surprised, I figured if there were a Neil Diamond movie, I would have known about it. Not that I am huge Neil Diamond fan or anything, but I figured I would have seen a trailer or even read an article about it through Variety or some other outlet. While I was not surprised to find out there was no Neil Diamond biopic coming soon, I was surprised, however, to see that we were getting the movie that we would come to know as “Song Sung Blue.” I thought the concept for this was somewhat refreshing.

We live in a world where we frequently get some variation of a musician biopic like “Bohemian Rhapsody” or “Elvis” or “Back to Black.” While it is fun to see how select big name musicians rose to fame, there was a novelty to the concept of “Song Sung Blue,” because it is not about Neil Diamond and rather two people paying tribute to him. On the surface, this film felt like a small wonder. Granted, it also has two big name leads, so there is that. Then came my screening of “Jay Kelly,” where I saw the trailer for the first time. While I did not think the movie would reinvent the wheel, the trailer made the movie come off like it would be loads of fun. I was planning to see it when it came out on Christmas, but my aspirations did not quite work out, hence the late review. That said, there is a saying that good things come to those who wait. Not to say that I had low expectations for “Song Sung Blue,” but it is still amazingly better than I thought it would be. This film is a rollercoaster in every sense of the word. I was fully engaged for its two-plus hour runtime and it is simply one of the best experiences I had watching a film revolving around music.

When it comes to music-based films, “Song Sung Blue” may not go down in history for being as masterful as “Whiplash,” but its script allows for loads of fun while also allowing time to put the audience’s emotions through the ringer. I went to see this film at an 11:15 am screening, where I was more than likely the only person there under 30. That said, this movie knows no age. I mean… Who doesn’t like Neil Diamond? Or, even if you do not like Neil Diamond, I would even argue this movie is ball, because it revolves around two completely likable, sometimes quirky characters. After all, name me an artist who is not quirky.

I am not going to pretend all of the dialogue is Oscar-winning, granted, a lot of it is really good, but there is a cheesy line here and there. If anything, the script contains dialogue that made me believe that these characters themselves were real. It is dialogue that made me think that this is exactly how these characters would talk. Maybe they differ slightly from their real life counterparts, but even if they did, they allowed me to believe that they could exist. The sometimes exaggerated dialogue is part of these characters’ charm. It is part of who they are as storytellers, artists who are trying to give joy to those around them. It reminds me of myself as an artist sometimes.

© 2025 Focus Features, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The screenplay, by itself, is a compelling idea. Although its execution is just as good, if not better. One thing that separates this film from those aforementioned musician biopics is that if you look at those films, we see certain artists showcase their talent and find great success and riches out of it. “Song Sung Blue” focuses on two people who are simply trying to get by. They do not have loads of money. They do not have a nice house. Seeing their constant struggles to make ends meet only made both of these people more relatable and likable. Sure, they were chasing after fame and fortune, but they came off as people who found joy in each little moment they had, even if they were not Hollywood hotshots.

While I really enjoyed this film, I also realize some creative liberties were taken for the sake of telling a particular narrative. I had not seen the documentary prior to checking this movie out, nor did I know much about this couple in advance. That said, I do not have that much of a problem with this movie and the way it tells its story. For the record, given how much I enjoyed the movie and the story behind it, I ended up checking out the documentary of the same name the day after I saw the feature film. First off, I fully endorse the documentary. Check it out if you get a chance. The film does a good job at presenting a fascinating slice of the main couple’s lives. Second, having watched both the feature film and documentary, I recognize that the feature film takes some creative liberties. For example, the documentary features a story about its subjects’ relationship to smoking. “Song Sung Blue” is PG-13, therefore it should not be a huge surprise that smoking does not play as significant of a part in the film’s story. Alcoholism does play a notable role in Mike’s journey, however, and I thought the film does a good job with that particular aspect. The film sees Mike attending AA meetings as well as celebrating “sober birthdays,” or anniversaries celebrating the end of his alcohol consumption.

“Song Sung Blue” may have my favorite concert scene in film since “Belle.” I will not spoil the movie, partially because you should see it, but not only is the scene itself immersive when it comes to the sound mixing that perfectly blends the music and the audience reactions together, but there is so much going on in this scene in terms of conflict. Something happens to Mike, also known as Lightning, prior to the concert and it makes what should be an incredibly fun scene, also arguably the scariest thing ever. I was so nervous as to what was about to go down.

With this film being about lesser known artists, it does feel somewhat ironic that Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson were cast to play their characters. That said, I have no problem with it. Both actors by themselves are talented. As for their work in this film, both are on their A-game, and their chemistry as a couple is terrific. Kate Hudson in particular gives my favorite performance in the movie, because her character, Claire, also known as Thunder, is going through so much more than her artistic struggles. The film gives Hudson some compelling material to work with around the halfway point based on a significant injury. I am not saying any other actor would have been incapable of playing these characters, but these two stars give some of the best possible performances that a story like this could allow. Both Jackman and Hudson are equally adorable and even make the film’s cheesier moments feel earned.

Depending on which part of the movie we are talking about, watching “Song Sung Blue” is like watching a really good “Spider-Man” movie. In addition to the story being a whole lot of fun, the musicians it chooses to center around are some of the most relatable that I can recall seeing in a film. The script sometimes feels goofy, but in a charming way. In fact, the movie starts with Mike, showing off his jacket with a lightning bolt on the back. When he puts that jacket on, he sort of feels like a superhero. In fact, doesn’t the name Lightning and Thunder sound like a heroic duo? Also, like some of my favorite “Spider-Man” movies, like “Spider-Man 2” or “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” the film is perfectly paced and is capable of delivering on the emotions. When I look back at “Song Sung Blue,” I will remember it for being one of the most gleeful cinematic experiences I had in 2025. But I am not going to pretend that the movie is a happy watch from beginning to end. Towards the film’s final moments, there was some noticeable sniffling in the audience. If you cry easily, make sure you have tissues. You’ll thank me later.

© Focus Features

In the end, “Song Sung Blue” is a film that has surprised me with each passing moment. When I first heard about the concept, I thought, “Okay…” When I saw who was in the movie, I dug it a bit more. Then I saw the trailer, and I was onboard, even if it looked a little cheesy and cliché. Then I saw the movie, and while I was not wrong about parts of the film feeling cheesy and cliché, I found myself wishing I had been able to check it out sooner. This is one of my favorite films of 2025, and I did not think I would come to that conclusion a month ago. All of the characters are likable, it delivers a rollercoaster of emotions and vibes, and I contend that even if you are not that big of a Neil Diamond fan, I still think you might be able to appreciate this film as a story. The highest highs of the film make for some smile-inducing moments to remember while the lowest lows are haunting as can be. “Song Sung Blue” is in fact, “so good, so good, so good,” and I am going to give it a 8/10.

Also, one last note, this film opened the same day as “Marty Supreme,” which is also a really good film. While the movies vary in terms of tone, style, execution, and the state of their protagonists, they are both really solid flicks about dreamers. If you want a really good double feature, check if your theater is playing both of these movies right now. If they are, take advantage of the opportunity and check out both in the same day. Both flicks are great in their own way.

“Song Sung Blue” is now playing in theaters and is also available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! My next reviews are going to be for “Mercy” and “Send Help.” Stay tuned!

In the spirit of dreams, I want to thank 10 people for making my dream come true, and those are my guests in the upcoming series Celebrity Movie Requests! I just dropped a teaser trailer showcasing hints about each special guest. Their actual names will be revealed sometime soon. Be on the lookout. The link for the video is above, which I posted on YouTube. Be sure to give it a like and subscribe to my channel so you can know more about the series and watch it when it drops!

And on Sunday, January 25th, be on the lookout for the nominations of the 8th Annual Jack Awards. The show that celebrates the best of 2025 in film! It is yet another edition of arguably the most over the top awards ceremony in movie blogging history. If you want to see all of these upcoming posts and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Song Sung Blue?” What did you think about it? Did you know about Lightning and Thunder before this movie came out? If so, tell me what you think about them, and if you got to see them perform, what was that experience like? Also, have you seen the documentary “Song Sung Blue?” If not, go check it out. It is free on YouTube. Tell them in the comments section that Jack Drees sent you! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Honey Don’t! (2025): A Blandly Sensual Ride from Star Margaret Qualley and Director Ethan Coen

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Honey Don’t!” is directed by Ethan Coen (The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men) and stars Margaret Qualley (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Substance), Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation, My Old Ass), Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger, The Gray Man), and Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Super Mario Bros. Movie). This film is the latest installment what some may call Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s “lesbian B-movie trilogy” and centers around private investigator Honey O’Donahue, who must look into multiple deaths supposedly tied to a church.

“Honey Don’t!” is Ethan Coen and Margaret Qualley’s latest collaboration following the above average “Drive-Away Dolls.” I ended up giving the film a positive score, but it was far from my favorite movie of 2024. I praised the film when it came out, but if I had to name a core weakness, it would have to be the plot. I liked a lot of what went down in the film, but some of the script is kind of forgettable.

Having seen “Honey Don’t!,” I think it has a lot more in common with “Drive-Away Dolls” than its star-director combo. Both films feature its lead playing a homosexual woman finding herself while connected to an ongoing case. The film heavily leans into its sensual vibes. The film is also on the shorter side with a runtime of 89 minutes. And unsurprisingly, it is tightly paced.

Though one thing that individualizes “Honey Don’t!” is that I honestly do not see myself revisiting the film anytime in the near future. I ended up buying “Drive-Away Dolls” on Blu-ray. At best, I see “Honey Don’t!” as background noise while flipping channels and trying to get some sleep at a hotel. Even as I write this down, I am second-guessing myself. This is the kind of movie that I could imagine playing great if the TV were on mute. It has big stars in it, the overall look of the film is not bad. The production design is sometimes picturesque and individualistic. I will even add that some of the costume choices are memorable. But if you are going to ask me what my favorite part of this movie was, I would draw a blank. This is a clear case of all spark but little personality. At times, the film does have a quirky vibe to it, but it does not really do much to make the overall product better. There is a blandness to the quirkiness, if that makes any sense. It feels weirdly flat.

I said this about “Smurfs” recently, and the people behind “Honey Don’t!” can rest easy, because their movie is nowhere near as awful, but this movie somewhat feels like it should go straight to streaming. If I had to guess, the main reason why this film did not end up on streaming is because of the same reason why “Smurfs” did not end up on streaming, and it is not exactly due to how much it cost or how pristine it looks. Some of the production value is not bad. I thought a lot of the film’s style was clever. But its substance was lacking. It kind of reminded me of The Russo brothers’ “The Gray Man,” because the film is nice to look at, but it stars a talented group of people who deserve a better story. Heck, if I needed an even more recent comparison, Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” seems to fit the bill. Ethan Coen is kind of in the same boat as Wes Anderson given their respected resumes and individual filmmaking quirks. But on top of that, both of these films also have star-studded casts. If these films were not directed by people whose names are as well known as they are, I would imagine that someone is going after several big names to compensate for a lackluster story.

In addition to Margaret Qualley, the film stars Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, and Chris Evans, the latter of whom was also in “The Gray Man,” so this is not his first dose of mediocrity in somewhat recent times. I would not say that any of these actors give bad performances. In fact, I buy the chemistry of Qualley and Plaza as a horned-up couple. I thought Charlie Day was charming in his supporting role, even if it is not his best work. I have nothing overtly negative to say about him, much like many of the movie’s other cast members. They play their parts well, even if they are not written to their highest potential.

That said, the real standout for me is Chris Evans, who plays the marvelously unhinged Reverend Drew Devlin. Kind of like his outing in “The Gray Man,” Evans is chaotic in all the right ways. He brings an energy to this film that kept me interested. It is almost cartoon-like compared to some others in the cast, but it works. In recent years, Evans has been proving his range by playing complicated or moronic characters that separate himself from the hero who can do no wrong such as Captain America or Buzz Lightyear, and this is the latest example on Evans’ resume. It is not his best performance, but he comes off as if he is having fun with the role.

While I have not rewatched Ethan Coen’s preceding film to this one, “Drive-Away Dolls,” since the theater, I much prefer it to “Honey Don’t!” simply because there is a clear zaniness to it. The film is funnier, I like the characters more, and much like this movie, it is fun to look at. “Honey Don’t!” on the other hand feels like there is something missing. There is an emptiness to it. And empty is not an adjective I would want to use to describe any movie, much less one from a Coen brother and its talented cast. Once again, this is supposedly the second film of an unofficial trilogy. I hope this is the one dud of the bunch. But there is a saying that you are only as good as your last project, and I am a little worried that the next movie could be as flat as this one. I hope that is not the case.

Courtesy of Focus Features – © Focus Features

In the end, if I had genuine words to describe “Honey Don’t!”, I would be blanking. This is not the worst film of the year as I can truthfully name some redeeming qualities such as the technical aspects, some of the performances, and to my surprise, the rather tight pacing. The film by no means feels rushed, though I will admit I did check the time at one point. But when it comes to personality, this is where “Drive-Away Dolls” is a slightly better movie. Margaret Qualley is a great actress, and if you want a better example of her talent, maybe go watch “Drive-Away Dolls.” Heck, I would even recommend “The Substance,” which some of you might hate me for saying this, was far from my favorite film of 2024. But that film was something that “Honey Don’t!” was not. An experience. As much as I was turned off by the climax of “The Substance,” I will also likely not forget it anytime soon. “Honey Don’t!” on the other hand is withering in my brain as we speak. I am going to give “Honey Don’t!” a 4/10.

“Honey Don’t!” is now playing in theaters and is available to rent or buy on VOD.

Photo by Jasin Boland/Jasin Boland – © Courtesy of Vertical

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Eden.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Splitsville,” “The Long Walk,” “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” and “Him.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Honey Don’t!”? What did you think about it? Or, which film do you prefer? “Honey Don’t!” or “Drive-Away Dolls?” Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!