“Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable.”
- Samuel Johnson
Growing up in the late 60s/early 70s, Neil Diamond had a bunch of happening tunes that were part of the soundtrack of the era. By my middle teens, though, at least with the crowd I ran with, he had become profoundly uncool. I haven't thought about him much since then and if I did it was just as a schmaltzy punchline.
So when I heard there was a new movie out having to do with Neil Diamond, my instant reaction was “Nope.” My cousin Joe texted me earlier this week. He said he had been dragged kicking and screaming by his lovely wife, Linda, to see Song Sung Blue. He said he highly recommended it.
Well, I trust my cousin Joe's taste but I can't say I wasn't mildly skeptical when I secured the tickets online.
Kendra and I went this afternoon. It's not a biopic as I assumed. It's based on a real life story of a married couple. It's not really about the person of Neil Diamond and his life. It's more a celebration of his songs through the lives of the couple who form a tribute band. Their lives and the lives of their family and friends are the story. I won't go into more detail than that, but I concur with Cousin Joe, I enthusiastically recommend it. It's been a while since I've enjoyed a movie more (Except when a Marine was referred to as a “soldier.” Could we stop this, please?). It's an affirmation of the life-giving role that music plays in our lives and I'm always down with that.
Oh, and thanks, Joe!