Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson Star in New Clip

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as the most unlikely Neil Diamond tribute act in the new trailer for the upcoming biopic, Song Sung Blue. 

The film tells the story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a Milwaukee couple who fronted a tribute act called Lighting and Thunder, in which they sang songs by Diamond and Patsy Cline (the latter being Claire’s specialty). Filmmaker Greg Kohs chronicled the Sardinas’ story in his 2008 documentary Song Sung Blue, while the upcoming scripted movie was adapted by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Dolemite Is My Name). 

The new Song Sung Blue trailer starts with all the pep and energy of a feel-good music film as Mike (Jackman) and Claire (Hudson) bond over their desire to entertain people. There’s a short clip of the duo performing Diamond’s “Cherry, Cherry” together, as well as a shot of their first kiss as the two bandmates begin to fall in love.

The trailer does take a heavy turn halfway through, as Mike and Claire confront hard financial realties, as well as the lingering repercussions of Mike’s time as a soldier in the Vietnam War. Still, there’s a resounding end to the clip, set — of course — to “Sweet Caroline,” that features a snippet of Mike’s big heart-on-sleeve speech to Claire: “I can’t thank Neil, because every ‘thank you’ I got belongs to you, doll. You’re my August night, you’re my September morn, you’re my cracklin’ Rosie.” 

Joining with Jackman and Hudson, Song Sung Blue boasts a stacked cast that also includes Michael Imperioli, King Princess (who performed with Jackman at Radio City Music Hall earlier this year), Ella Anderson, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi. The film is to arrive in theaters on Dec. 25.