While the musical biopic "Song Sung Blue" rides a wave of awards season buzz for stars Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, a real-life family rift has emerged. The son of the man Jackman portrays has launched a scathing critique, calling the film "all lies" and suggesting his late father would be horrified.
Family Claims Film Distorts True Story
The film, written and directed by Craig Brewer, tells the story of real-life Wisconsin couple Mike "Lightning" and Claire "Thunder" Sardina. They were an acclaimed Neil Diamond tribute band in the mid-1990s. The movie is based on a 2008 documentary of the same name and opened last month to widespread critical praise, earning Hudson a Golden Globe nomination.
However, in a new interview with the Daily Mail, Michael Sardina Jr.—the 41-year-old son of Mike Sardina—expressed profound anger. He claimed his father, who died in 2006 at age 55, would be "rolling in his grave right now" over the movie's portrayal and is reportedly considering legal action.
"Everybody thinks it’s such a wonderful film, it’s so touching," he told the outlet. "It’s all lies." Michael Sardina Jr. did not participate in the original documentary and is not a character in the film, though his sister, Angelina Sardina, is portrayed by musician King Princess.
Consultants 'Purposely Cut Out'
Michael Sardina Jr. revealed that both he and his sister were paid consultants for the project, but he believes he was "purposely cut out" of the final film. He also criticized the lead actors, stating, "They didn’t even try to contact me ... They didn’t try to get more information."
He further lamented being erased from the narrative, saying, "Every interview that those monsters have been on [on] national television don’t even mention my existence at all, even though I was the most prevalent force in my father’s life."
His sister, Angelina Sardina, also believes the movie inaccurately portrays events and family dynamics, though she offered a more tempered view. "The only thing that was true is the love between my dad and Claire," she told the Daily Mail. "It’s a beautiful story, but that’s not how it went down. And I guess that’s what’s upsetting because it’s a lie."
Stepmother's Support Contrasts With Children's Anger
In stark contrast to the children's criticism, Claire Sardina, the surviving member of the couple, fully supports the film. She even performed with Hudson and Jackman at the movie's premiere party in December. When asked by "Inside Edition" how her late husband might view the film, she expressed approval, linking it to his unfulfilled dreams.
"His dream, initially, was, 'We’re going to go to Vegas, baby, someday.' Well, that didn’t happen," she said. "But this is just as good."
Representatives for Kate Hudson, Hugh Jackman, and the film's distributor, Focus Features, did not respond to requests for comment on the family's allegations. The controversy highlights the complex and often painful personal realities behind Hollywood's glossy retellings of true stories.
