Based upon a documentary, which I am sadly unfamiliar with, about a Neil Diamond Diamond tribute act (though they would much prefer the term "Neil Diamond Experience") by the name of Thunder and Lightning; the film's pretty good and elevated by the two central performers. It has a pleasant attention to character details and little moments (a bit with a coffee cup comes back wonderfully) whilst focusing on a pair of extremely decent people trying their best in the world to get by and make art, perform and be themselves. It's the inherent likability of the larger than life "Lightning" (complete with a lightning bolt on his tooth, and a habit of saying "I'm huge!" whenever asked how he is) and "Thunder" (a wholesome single mother, upbeat and cheery) and the two excellent performances on display which bolster the film. There are excellent supporting turns from Ella Anderson and King Princess as the two artists' daughters, a fun part for Michael Imperioli (whom I wanted more of) and another for Fisher Stevens (plus Mustafa Shakir turns up! Heck yeah); and the film's focus on home life is admirable and fairly well shot. When the film takes a turn in the second half (as you know it will) Hudson is the one who rises to the challenge, and is excellent.
My favourite scene was the one in a Chinese restaurant, as an adoration of music transcends language and allows people to just bond. The film also does a fine job of showing that Thunder and Lightning were legitimately fun. Even if you've seen a lot of these sorts of biopics before, the execution is good.
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