Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines.
1. Upscale Mexican restaurant from Dallas bails on Fort Worth's West 7th. In words that have been uttered before, there's been a restaurant closure on Crockett Row in Fort Worth's West 7th District: El Bolero, the Mexican concept from ARG Concepts, has closed its location there after a year.
2. Torchy's Tacos handpicks buzzy Euless for its latest new DFW location. Euless is in line for some award-winning queso this spring with the opening of its own location of Torchy's Tacos, the beloved Austin-based chain known for its "damn good" tacos, excellent tortillas, and signature green chile queso.
3. Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 5 best bars for hopeless romantics. Elbowing your way to the bar for a cocktail? An evening out with your special someone deserves more. These intimate bars are delightfully relaxed, with cozy nooks, proper service, and drinks well-suited for a romantic occasion — even, a proposal.
4. Fort Worth court throws a warrant forgiveness party for February. If you've been skulking around Fort Worth with a warrant hanging over your head, you're getting a second chance: The Fort Worth Municipal Court has declared February "Warrant Forgiveness Month."
5. Fort Worth top chef Marcus Paslay cooks up new Stockyards restaurant. One of Fort Worth's top chefs has cooked up something new: Marcus Paslay, founder of award-winning restaurants Clay Pigeon and Piattello Italian Kitchen, will open a restaurant in the Stockyards' Mule Alley development, at 122 E. Exchange Ave.
Neil Diamond — a member of both the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame with 10 No. 1 songs and over 56 million albums sold — is such a music legend that it would be easy to do a straight-up biopic of him. Instead, the new Song Sung Blue — named after Diamond’s 1972 hit song — serves as a shadow Diamond biopic, with his songs showcased through a real-life husband-and-wife tribute act known as Lightning & Thunder.
Based on the 2008 documentary of the same name, the film focuses on Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman), who comes up with the idea for a Diamond-centric act when he meets Claire (Kate Hudson). The duo soon grows in popularity locally in Milwaukee, headlining not just restaurants and bars but also some larger venues. As their legend spreads, they even start to get the attention of the media and bigger names outside of Wisconsin.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a good biopic without a little turbulence, and — without spoiling things — Mike and Claire learn that good times never seemed so good when they face more than their fair share of troubles. The couple endures their ups and downs with the help of their combined family, including children Rachel (Ella Anderson) Angelina (King Princess), and Dana (Hudson Henley), as well as a community of fellow tribute acts.
Written and directed by Craig Brewer (Dolemite is My Name), the film’s appeal lies mainly in the irrepressible enthusiasm of Mike, a man born to entertain if ever there was one. Neither his long-dormant alcoholism nor health problems nor location in the Upper Midwest can stop Mike from demonstrating his showmanship skills. Of course, it helps that he’s portrayed by Jackman, who - despite getting a little long in the tooth - gives every performance his all.
What the story can never quite answer, though, is why this particular couple is worth an entire feature film. Sure, they have a somewhat interesting arc, especially when it coincides with a certain early ‘90s grunge band, but otherwise there’s little that separates them from other tribute acts toiling around the country. Brewer struggles to define them outside of their singing lives, and when things get really bad for them, the emotional connection is at a minimum.
Then there’s the aspect of incorporating Diamond’s music, some of which has endured across the decades more than others. Naturally, “Sweet Caroline” gets a notable showcase, but whither “America” or “Heartlight?” The title song is featured the most often, as Mike uses it to celebrate his yearly “sober birthday,” but it’s not a barnburner. Mike also has an obsession with the relatively obscure "Soolaimón," an odd choice both for him and for the movie to include so much.
Jackman and Hudson have good chemistry together, and when the film puts them together in singing scenes, their bond becomes infectious. Each of them has naturally melodic voices as well, lending an extra boost to that part of the film. Supporting actors like Anderson, King Princess, Michael Imperioli, and Fisher Stevens complement them well, but Jim Belushi, playing their promoter, gives a hammy performance that seems to be in a completely different movie.
While it’s unclear who the audience for Song Sung Blue might be other than hardcore Diamond fans, it has just enough crowd-pleasing moments to make for a solid watch. The entertainment factor of the film comes and goes, but Jackman using every ounce of his abilities mostly makes up for any deficiencies.
