Neil Diamond, the legendary singer-songwriter whose voice has defined generations of music, has rarely allowed the world such a raw glimpse into his emotions. In early January 2026, following the release of Song Sung Blue—a heartfelt 2025 biographical musical drama directed by Craig Brewer and starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson—Diamond opened up about his first viewing of the film. The experience, he confessed, moved him profoundly: “I couldn’t hold back the tears.” What could have been a simple tribute to his music instead became a deeply personal encounter, reminding the 84-year-old icon that his songs still carry warmth, memory, and meaning even after years of health challenges and stepping back from the public stage.

The film, released in theaters on Christmas Day 2025 and quickly gaining critical and audience acclaim, is not a traditional biopic of Diamond himself. Instead, it tells the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina (portrayed by Jackman and Hudson), a working-class Milwaukee couple who found love and purpose in the late 1980s by forming a Neil Diamond tribute band called Lightning & Thunder. The couple’s journey—marked by soaring local success, devastating personal hardships (including Claire’s life-altering car accident that resulted in the loss of her leg), and unwavering devotion to Diamond’s music—serves as a joyful yet bittersweet homage to the enduring power of Diamond’s catalog.

Diamond granted full rights to use his songs in the film, a continuation of his support for the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs, which first chronicled the Sardinas’ story. He had even met the real Claire Sardina in person during that era, a connection that added emotional weight to his viewing. Director Craig Brewer, who wrote and helmed the project, revealed through interviews that Diamond watched the film with his family, including his wife Katie McNeil. Brewer was prepared for Diamond’s typically reserved demeanor—he had been told the singer “does not get effusively enthusiastic” and tends to study films rather than react outwardly. What happened instead surprised everyone involved.

According to Brewer, Diamond’s response was unexpectedly enthusiastic. He tapped his foot along to the music, applauded after each performance sequence, and openly cried during the screening. At one point, he approached the projectionist to ask about the next showing, eager to experience it again. The tears, Brewer noted, were genuine and unfiltered, a rare vulnerability from a man who has spent decades in the spotlight. Diamond later reached out personally to Jackman, sending him a signed guitar inscribed with a warm message: “Hugh, Keep rocking! Your friend, Neil Diamond.” The gesture underscored the film’s impact—not just as entertainment, but as a living tribute that touched the artist whose music inspired it.

The emotional depth of Diamond’s reaction stems in part from his own journey. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in January 2018, Diamond announced his retirement from touring, a decision that marked the end of an era for the performer who had spent over five decades captivating audiences with his powerful voice and timeless hits. Though he has continued to write, record, and advocate for Parkinson’s awareness, the physical demands of live performance became impossible. Watching Song Sung Blue—a story about ordinary people finding extraordinary meaning through his songs—stirred something profound. It wasn’t just nostalgia; it was a reminder that his music lives on, carried forward by new voices and new stories, even as he steps back from the stage.

The film’s stars brought their own depth to the material. Hugh Jackman, channeling Diamond’s distinctive phrasing and showmanship, earned praise for his heartfelt portrayal of Mike “Lightning” Sardina—a Vietnam veteran, recovering alcoholic, and dedicated performer who refused to impersonate anyone other than himself while honoring Diamond’s catalog. Jackman performed live vocals on set and in the studio, capturing the earthy, elaborate style that made Diamond’s music so beloved. Kate Hudson, as Claire “Thunder” Sardina, delivered a career-highlight performance, singing her own tracks and navigating the character’s resilience with warmth and grit. The duo’s chemistry—both onstage and off—mirrored the real-life Sardinas’ unbreakable bond, turning what could have been kitschy into something sincere and moving.

Critics and audiences alike have responded warmly to the film. Reviews describe it as “heartwarming yet emotional,” “uplifting and sincere,” and a “feel-good tearjerker” that celebrates the joy of music without shying away from life’s hardships. The soundtrack, featuring fresh arrangements of Diamond classics like “Sweet Caroline,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Holly Holy,” and the title track, has been hailed as a standout element, with Jackman and Hudson’s vocals earning particular acclaim. The movie’s success has sparked renewed appreciation for Diamond’s catalog, with streams and sales of his originals surging in the weeks following its release.

Diamond’s candid reflection on the film highlights a beautiful truth: art, once created, belongs to the world. Even through vulnerability, loss, and the quiet retirement that Parkinson’s imposed, his songs continue to inspire, heal, and connect. What could have been a nostalgic look back became something hopeful—a proof that music finds ways to keep moving forward, carried by new voices like Jackman and Hudson, and cherished by those who first gave it life.

For fans who have followed Diamond through triumphs and trials, his tears while watching Song Sung Blue say more than words ever could. They speak to the enduring power of his music, the grace of letting go, and the unexpected joy of seeing one’s legacy live on in unexpected ways. As the film continues its run and heads to digital platforms, Diamond’s emotional response stands as a testament to why his work remains timeless: because even in the face of change, it still brings light, warmth, and meaning to those who hear it.