Neil Diamond got very emotional while watching the new movie Song Sung Blue at a private screening. He tapped his foot, clapped, and cried. Craig Brewer, the writer and director, said that the legend was surprisingly excited about the Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson movie, which is based on a real Neil Diamond tribute band. This emotional response shows how deeply Diamond connected to the way the story showed his famous songwriting.
The Real Story Behind the Movie
The movie is based on the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a couple from Wisconsin who fell in love later in life and started the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder. They became famous, even opening for Pearl Jam in a real event from 1995 that the movie recreates with Eddie Vedder. Neil Diamond let his music be used in a 2008 documentary about the couple after Eddie Vedder asked him to.
Diamond’s Reaction to the Private Screening
Brewer heard from Diamond’s family and team that the singer-songwriter was very excited and asked for another screening right away. Diamond usually watches movies with a critical eye, but during the musical numbers he tapped his foot and cried because he was so moved by the tribute to his songs. His answer shows that the movie’s goal was to honor his songwriting legacy in more ways than just performance.
Reactions from Stars and Background
Hugh Jackman said that Diamond called him crying after the screening, which led to a karaoke sleepover at Diamond’s house in Colorado, where they sang “Sweet Caroline” and other songs. At the AFI Fest premiere, Diamond called Kate Hudson out of the blue. There are live covers of Neil Diamond songs in the movie, which is a mix of comedy, drama, and strength.
