Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) and Claire Stingl (Kate Hudson) are, for the most part, two parts who fit. “I’m Thunder and you’re Lightning,” she says, after they brainstorm their act doing covers of Neil Diamond songs. They build a band with Mark, a Buddy Holly impersonator (Michael Imperioli) and two agents (Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi). They also marry, their daughters Rachel (Ella Anderson) and Angelina (King Princess) find common interests and get along well. But as they work their way up, things happen, like an accident taking away one of Claire’s legs. Mike himself has a heart condition, making it difficult to help Claire get back to their old act.

What viewers get from this cast and triple threat Craig Brewer is a musical with Neil Diamond songs. Yes, this is the third film this year that counts as a musical, filmmakers are still making them. The genre requires for the biggest stage or set to fit songs that arouse emotions from us viewers. Song Sung Blue has smaller, simpler sets, which fits Brewer’s version of middle Americana’s grimy cousin. But it works and is, for the most part, transformative, the film exuding that quality even between songs. Claire and Mike share a kiss in her walk-up, she moves into his house that’s way too close to the airport.

A good mix of a veteran cast and newcomers, Song Sung Blue is still a showcase for Hudson and Jackman. These two could have literally been in a movie together in the 2020s but they’re together in this movie now. They look better than me as they are telling stories that fit where they are in their lives. A time when bodies fail people either because of an accident or because that’s what time eventually will do. It’s difficult for anyone to keep dreaming and that drive understandably lessens after time. But the real Claire and Mike Sardina still pushed on just like people do despite facing hurdles.

Hurdles have always existed for the two protagonists of Song Sung Blue, obstacles for anyone in the arts. Claire wants to sing again instead of doing hair, Mike has to host karaoke night at a Thai restaurant. The film’s supporting characters need more material than what they get but they still reinforce those proletarian realities. Mark has to give up Buddy Holly for them – no one’s ever too old for Neil Diamond. This is a film about stubborn people making eventual compromises but they’re still able to rock and roll. The music makes this film worth watching, even as the band rocks out on Mike’s cramped suburban garage.

Song Sung Blue is available to watch in select Canadian theatres.