SPOILER ALERT with Jimmy Nichols: Song Sung Blue — An emotional rollercoaster you are not ready for

As we continue the final push toward the Oscars, we review a movie with only one Oscar nomination. “Song Sung Blue” is nominated for Best Actress for Kate Hudson’s performance as Claire Cartwright, or Thunder. 

This movie is based on a true story and takes place from the late 80s all the way to 2006, when it ends. It follows the rise, fall and redemption of Lightning, played by Hugh Jackman, and Thunder. 

After meeting at a state fair where they were doing impersonations of famous singers, the two hit it off and fell in love. Cartwright suggests that Lightning, also Mike Sardina, impersonates Neil Diamond.  

The duo decides to become a “Neal Diamond Experience” and form a band performing Diamond’s hits across the Midwest. It is a struggle at first because Lightning wants to be in control and hates how everyone wants the group to open with “Sweet Caroline.” 

He hates how everyone thinks this is Neil Diamond's best song and wants the group to open with "Soolaimón," an African-inspired piece by the artist. After a couple of bad shows, he gives in, and the group opens with “Sweet Caroline.” 

Lightning and Thunder became a hit sensation and staples around the Midwest. They become so popular they become the opening act for Pearl Jam, learning that Eddie Vedder, the frontman for Pearl Jam, is a huge Neil Diamond fan. 

In their personal lives, the two get married and move in together. Mike becomes a father for Cartwright’s two kids, her daughter Rachel and her son Dayna. 

The dynamic between Rachel and Mike is one of my favorite pairings in the movie because it shows the difficulty of an older teenager accepting her stepfather. Throughout the movie, she accepts him as herfather and the two become really close, especially through the hardships.  

The movie does not try to shy away from the struggles the real-life duo faced. It actually opens with Mike at an AA meeting, celebrating his 20^th year of sobriety.  

However, the biggest struggle the two face is the car accident, which hospitalizes Cartwright. While planting flowers in their front garden, an old man dies of a heart attack and crashes his car into Cartwright.  

While she is being treated in the hospital, Mike has a heart attack, and Rachel revives him in the hospital. Mike did not want to see a doctor because they do not have health insurance, he is stubborn and he wanted the doctors to focus on Claire. 

The first half of this movie focuses more on Mike’s story, while the second half focuses more on Claire’s recovery. The movie does a really good job of waiting to reveal what has happened to her. 

She wakes up at home, but when she tries to get out of bed, she falls, forgetting that the doctors had to amputate one of her legs. The next thirty minutes of the movie focus not only on her recovery, but also on the strain it has put on the family. 

Claire is prescribed medicine to help with the phantom pains, but it makes her loopy and paranoid. She accuses Mike of cheating and that he never loved her. 

One scene in particular, while Claire is recovering, is a main contributor to Kate Hudson’s Oscar nomination. Claire is having a dream she has both of her legs back and is performing again as a Patsy Cline impersonator. 

She imagines she is on stage in this club playing, but Mike comes in and starts carrying her off stage. She is furious with him, claiming that he never wanted to see her shine. 

In reality, Claire had crawled out of bed and onto the front lawn of the house, and Mike was trying to bring her back inside. This is one of the more emotional scenes in the movie because the viewer finally understands why Claire has been struggling so much with this change. 

She feels like her performing career is over and does not want to be left behind by Mike. 

Meanwhile, Mike and the kids are trying to manage the finances of the house and Claire’s medical bills. Rachel starts working, and Mike gets a job at a Thai restaurant as the emcee for its karaoke nights.  

He keeps getting offers to keep being Lightning, but without Claire beside him, he does not want to do it. The family eventually admits Claire into a rehab clinic, which helps wean her off the prescription drugs and teaches her how to walk with her prosthetic leg.  

The last 45 minutes of the movie sees Claire reunite with her family and becomes a mother again to her two kids, while also showing the reuniting of Lightning and Thunder on stage. 

There is one more big twist in the movie. However, if you want to know it, you will have to watch the film on Peacock. 

“Song Sung Blue” hits the audience in the feelings as you wonder how much one family can take. Kate Hudson deserved the Oscar nomination for her performance, and I hope she wins it. 

The ending will leave you in tears, but it will be worth it. It is one of the most emotional movies I have seen in recent Hollywood movies. “Song Sung Blue” is a must-watch as it has everything from comedy, romance and drama.