"Here is a startlingly strange, undeniably entertaining true-life story from the heartland of American showbusiness; a lovable crowdpleaser whose feelgood flavour won't prepare you for the way the plot repeatedly and savagely twists like an unsafe fairground ride. I actually had my eyes closed and mouth open at certain key points, and was grabbing the seat in front of me with both fists."
"Mike and Claire Sardina, terrifically played by Jackman and Hudson, were a Milwaukee married couple with kids from previous relationships who in the 90s formed a cheesy Neil Diamond tribute act called Lightning and Thunder; they became a cult hit in their home state and even opened for Pearl Jam whose guitarist Eddie Vedder good-naturedly joined them on stage for an encore."
Mike and Claire Sardina form a cheesy Neil Diamond tribute act, Lightning and Thunder, in 1990s Milwaukee and achieve regional cult fame, even opening for Pearl Jam. The story blends crowdpleasing showbiz moments with savage, surprising personal twists as misfortune recurs. The portrayal shifts emphasis from delusion and absurdity toward empathy, transforming laugh-at moments into laugh-with. Hugh Jackman convincingly embodies a Neil Diamond impersonator vocally and visually, while Kate Hudson supplies matching performance energy. Mike's history as a Vietnam veteran and recovering alcoholic adds emotional complexity and tension to their lives and career.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]