Imagine receiving a tearful phone call from a music legend, only to end up having a sleepover at his house—complete with karaoke. That’s exactly what happened to Hugh Jackman after Neil Diamond watched his new film, Song Sung Blue. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Diamond was moved to tears by the movie, the son of the musician it’s based on has slammed it as a ‘lie’ that destroys his father’s legacy. Let’s dive into this fascinating—and polarizing—story.
Hugh Jackman will never forget the night he shared karaoke with Neil Diamond, a moment that came about in the most unexpected way. During a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Jackman revealed that the encounter began with an emotional phone call from Diamond himself. After watching Lightning & Thunder, Jackman’s film about a Neil Diamond tribute band, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was so moved that he called Jackman in tears. ‘He was crying,’ Jackman recalled. ‘He loved the story of Mike and Claire, and he was just so touched by it.’
The film, directed by Craig Brewer and co-starring Kate Hudson, tells the story of Claire ‘Thunder’ and the late Mike ‘Lightning’ Sardina. When Diamond called, Jackman saw an opportunity. ‘I said, ‘I’d love to come over for a cuppa,’ Jackman explained, using the Aussie slang for tea or coffee. Little did he know, this invitation would lead to an overnight stay at Diamond’s Colorado home. ‘Katie [Diamond’s wife] asked if I wanted to stay the night, and I said, ‘That’d be great,’ Jackman recalled with a laugh.
The visit was nothing short of surreal. Diamond greeted Jackman with a heartfelt, ‘You did good, kid,’ and the two ended up singing karaoke together. And this is the part most people miss: Diamond specifically requested ‘I Dreamed a Dream,’ the iconic song Jackman performed in Les Misérables. They also sang ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and, of course, Diamond’s own ‘Sweet Caroline.’
While the Diamonds were fans of the film, the reaction from Mike Sardina’s son, Michael Jr., couldn’t be more different. In an interview with The Daily Mail, Michael Jr. accused the movie of ‘destroying’ his father’s legacy. ‘My father’s rolling in his grave right now,’ he said. ‘It’s all lies. They stole the hard work he spent his entire life building.’ Michael Jr. was particularly frustrated that the film’s stars never reached out to him for input, despite his close relationship with his father. ‘They didn’t even try to contact me,’ he said. ‘I was the most prevalent force in his life, and they ignored my existence.’
Michael Jr.’s sister, Angelina, echoed his sentiments, calling the movie ‘upsetting’ and ‘a lie.’ However, Claire Sardina has reportedly been supportive of the film, according to PEOPLE. This stark divide in reactions raises a thought-provoking question: Can a film honor someone’s legacy while still taking creative liberties?
As Song Sung Blue continues to play in theaters, the debate rages on. Jackman’s sleepover with Diamond may have been a heartwarming moment, but it’s the film’s impact on the Sardina family that’s sparking the most conversation. What do you think? Does artistic interpretation justify overlooking the perspectives of those closest to the story? Let us know in the comments!
