Song Sung Blue movie hits VOD: Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman deliver an ebullient tribute to a tribute to Neil Diamond
Craig Brewer’s musical drama Song Sung Blue is now available to buy on VOD, bringing a buoyant, music-forward story of second chances to home viewers. The film centers on two struggling musicians who form a Neil Diamond tribute band and, led by spirited performances from Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, turns nostalgia and earnest showmanship into something unexpectedly warm and modern. A new album featuring the film’s original score by Scott Bomar has also been released, with physical home-video editions arriving on Feb. 17, ET.
What the film is about
At its core, Song Sung Blue follows two down-on-their-luck performers who stumble into success by honoring a legendary singer in the form of a tribute act. The premise could have been a simple wink to easy crowd-pleasers, but the film leans into character and community, using the idea of a tribute band as a springboard for stories about grief, reinvention and the small, stubborn joys of performing for an appreciative room.
Hudson and Jackman: chemistry and showmanship
Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman make the movie work in large part because they commit to both the comedy and the tenderness of the material. Hudson brings an effervescent, risk-taking energy, while Jackman balances charisma and vulnerability. Their interplay gives the film a warm center, with moments that are both funny and genuinely moving. Supporting players add texture and local color, and the film frequently reminds the viewer that the best musical cinema is as much about people as it is about songs.
Music drives the film—and the new score album
Music is treated as the film’s animating force. Scott Bomar’s original score underscores scenes with short, punchy cues that accentuate the emotional beats without overwhelming them. The newly released album collects 14 cues—from brief motifs like “Nostalgia Pays/Get ‘Em Clappin’” to longer pieces such as “This Is Hard”—that map the movie’s arc from wistful beginnings to more celebratory moments. Earlier in the film’s rollout, a separate collection of the songs performed in the story was released, giving fans two complementary listening experiences: one centered on classic pop performances, the other on the film’s own instrumental heartbeat.
From theaters to home: release timing and formats
The movie opened in theaters last December and now moves to the home market, where viewers can purchase it on VOD or watch it on streaming services. For collectors and viewers who prefer physical media, Blu-ray and DVD editions arrive on Feb. 17, ET. The timing gives the film a second wave of attention and makes it easy for audiences to sample the performances and the music in multiple ways.
Why this tribute-to-a-tribute matters
On paper, a story about a tribute band might read as a low-stakes crowd-pleaser. But the film uses its premise to probe why we gather around familiar songs and how performance can be both therapy and livelihood. The cast imbues the material with heart, and the music—both the well-known tunes and Bomar’s underscoring—keeps the film buoyant. For viewers looking for something that blends feel-good musical energy with grounded character work, Song Sung Blue offers a satisfying mix.
Whether you stream it immediately or wait for a physical copy, the film’s home release and score album give fans multiple ways to revisit its showbiz optimism and the performances at its center.
