On the strength of Hustle and Flow (’05) and Dolemite Is My Name (’19), I definitely trust and admire director Craig Brewer, and so I’m cautiously down with Song Sung Blue (Focus Features, 12.25).
Yes, I would normally be horrified by the prospect of watching a flick about a real-life husband-and-wife Neil Diamond tribute band from Milwaukee.
But the Brewer factor plus the chops and conviction of the long-of-tooth Hugh Jackman (who plays Mike Sardinia) plus Kate Hudson (a little voice is teLling me Claire Sardinia might be her best role since Penny Lane in Almost Famous) plus supporting players Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi…you can sense the combustion.
But if it’s as good as it seems, why is Focus waiting until 12.25 to release it?