THIS MOVIE follows the documentary that was done in 2008 about a Milwaukee, WI couple who reinvented themselves as “Lightning, and Thunder,” a Neil Diamond cover band that called themselves his “interpreters rather than “impressionists.”

When you consider that I grew up half an hour from Milwaukee and that I heard Neil Diamond songs on the radio for about 20 years, it’s not hard to imagine that I would venture out to see such a film with an impressive cast.

The result was pleasant, and I was surprised to have learned about them when I had never heard of them before

Despite his massive talent, Hugh Jackman was upstaged by his costar, Kate Hudson, who is nominated for a Golden Globe for her work as “Thunder.”

They play a working class Wisconsin couple who assemble a musical team, agent, and manager from kindred spirits within their sphere—which includes a music-minded dentist and a tour guide who moonlights as a manager.  Jim Belushi shows up among these (I didn’t recognize him in his Wisconsin digs).

It’s alternately heartbreaking and heartwarming, and the music sustains you throughout. If there are times when it appears to be a cheesy outfit, don’t forget that Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland.

WRH