Song Sung Blue is a biographical film about the married musical artist duo Lightning and Thunder, Mike and Claire Sardina, a Neil Diamond tribute act, though they refer to it as "interpretation," while navigating the ups and downs of their regular lives. It is based on a 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs. Also starring Michael Imperioli as Mark Shurilla, a Buddy Holly impersonator; Ella Anderson as Rachel Cartwright, Claire's daughter; King Princess as Angelina Sardina, Mike's daughter; Fisher Stevens as Dave Watson, Mike's dentist and manager; Jim Belushi as Tom D'Amato, another manager with connections to the local casinos and night life spots; and Mustafa Shakir as Sex Machine, a James Brown impersonator.
Time Stamps:
- (01:02) Saving Silverman
- (15:56) Tribute
- (30:03) Amadeus
- (44:57) Song Sung Blue
- (1:19:43) Spoilers
- (1:28:57) Next Time: Is This Thing On?
Works Cited:
- Amadeus (1984, Milos Forman)
- 'An unmistakable stab at the USSR': Could Amadeus be the most misunderstood Oscar winner ever? (2024, Tom Joudrey for the BBC)
- An Incredible Simulation (Jeff Economy, Darren Hacker, 2000)
- Don't Stop Believing: "Tribute" Filmmakers, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 (Tim Merrill, 2004)
- Method acting can go too far – just ask Dustin Hoffman (2016, Michael Simkins for The Guardian)Saving Silverman (2001, Dennis Dugan)
- Son of 'Song Sung Blue' subject calls Kate Hudson, Hugh Jackman 'monsters' (2025, Lauren Huff for EW)
- 'Song Sung Blue' fact vs. fiction: Eddie Vedder, leg amputation, heart attacks, more (2025, Gerrad Hall for EW)
- Song Sung Blue (2025, Craig Brewer)
- Song Sung Blue - The Original Documentary (The Full, Real Story) available for free to watch on YouTube (2008, Greg Kohs)
- Steve Zahn & Jack Black Taught Neil Diamond His Lyrics While Making 'Saving Silverman' | PeopleTV
- Tribute (full documentary) available for free to watch on YouTube (2001, Kris Curry & Rich Fox)
- Tributary: A Study of an American Pop Culture Subculture (2002, Russ Forster) (trailer)
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Ben Verschoor
Steven Santana
Opening music is "Root Beer Rag" by Billy Joel
Closing music is "G-Spot Tornado" by Frank Zappa
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