"I am," I said.
"I am," I cried.
I am...
...an entertainer.
When I'm not doing engine work
or oil changes,
I, uh... I'm the lead guitar
with the Dog Night Specials
at the Red Dragon Lounge.
The band ain't great,
but they serve free hot dogs
on Wednesday nights,
so there's that.
I am the only h*nky
in an all-Black band
called The Esquires.
Yeah, I hold my own.
So far, they haven't given me
the hook like at the Apollo.
I, uh...
I got a karaoke machine
I, uh, use for solo gigs.
I sing all types.
I got Mellencamp,
Elvis, Bon Jovi.
And, oh, for these occasions,
I have created a persona.
It's like a... it's like
a superhero of rock and roll.
I mean, I got no cape
or nothing, I got no mask,
but I got...
a bolt.
You know why I got
a lightning bolt?
'Cause they call me Lightning.
Oh, yeah.
Lightning's a star.
Lightning is a rockin' god.
He's like Chuck Berry,
Barry Manilow
and The Beatles
all rolled into one.
Oh, yeah.
He's singing the songs
people love to hear.
The songs that people need.
The songs that I need.
Yeah.
The songs that I need...
to keep going.
When the, uh...
when the song's over
and the applause stops,
I'm not...
I'm not Lightning anymore.
I'm just another drunk.
Hello. My name is Mike,
and I'm an alcoholic.
Hi, Mike.
And, uh, I'm happy to be here
because, uh,
today's a special day.
It's, uh...
it's my sober birthday.
Uh, 20 years off the bottle
and counting.
Thank you.
-Ooh.
-All right.
But I got a... I got a
tradition on my sober birthday.
Uh, I sing the same song
by a great man.
A man whose songs have got me
through some sad times,
some rock bottoms, and...
today I get to sing
one of his songs for you.
But this is not
a sad song, no
A sad song to sing
when you're alone
In a way,
it's a glad song, yeah
A glad song, a simple song
That simply seems
to makes you feel good
When you sing along
Song sung blue
Everybody knows one
You know the words. Come on.
Song sung blue
Every garden grows one
"Me and you are subject to..."
Me and you are subject to
The blues now and then
But when you take the blues
and make a song
You sing them out again
You sing them out again
Song sung blue
Weeping like the willow
Song sung blue
Sleeping on my pillow
Funny thing
But you can sing it
with a cry in your voice
And before you know it
get to feeling good
You simply got no choice.
All of my love
All of my kissin'
You don't know what
you've been a-missin'
Oh, boy
When you're with me,
oh, boy
The world can see that you
were meant for me
Stars appear
and shadows a-fallin'
You can hear
my heart a-callin'
A little bit of lovin'
makes everything right
I'm gonna see
my baby tonight
All my love,
all of my kissin'
You don't know what
you've been a-missin'
Oh, boy...
Who are you supposed to be?
Oh, hey, Earl.
I thought you were in Florida
on a cruise or something.
Uh, yeah, well, I thought
you were gonna be, uh, Don h*,
singing "Tiny Bubbles."
Yeah, I'm not gonna do that.
I'm gonna go on as Lightning.
You can't go
out there like that.
You look too much like Elvis.
I mean,
you're head-to-toe in denim
like he wore in '68 Comeback.
He wore black leather
in '68 Comeback, not denim.
Not during
the "Guitar Man" medley.
-Ah.
-He wore denim.
Uh... Oh, and you even got
a lightning bolt.
I'm Lightning.
I can't wear a bolt?
That's Elvis's logo.
"Taking care of business
in a flash."
That's me. That's my handle.
-Oh, you own that, do you?
-TCB.
All right.
I am the one and only Elvis
impersonator in all Milwaukee.
Thank you very much.
Comin' right back.
One thing's for sure, we got
too many Elvis impersonators
and not one Little Richard.
Say it loud.
Where's the Hawaiian shirt?
You're singing "Tiny Bubbles."
I don't want to sing
"Tiny Bubbles."
I'm gonna sing
"Eye of the Tiger,"
and then I'll close out
with "Suspicious Minds."
Over my dead body does he sing
"Suspicious Minds."
Earl, Earl, Earl, calm down.
Mike.
-What?
-We're impersonators here.
That's why the state fair
booked us
for the blue-haired crowd.
I don't look like Don h*.
I'm not Hawaiian. It's dumb.
That's why Carl Kahananui
was doing it,
but his gallbladder ruptured.
You agreed to fill in
and do me a favor.
So you're saying no Lightning?
It's Don h* or a no-go?
Yeah, Mike.
That's what I'm saying.
Then it's a no-go.
Claire, you're up next.
Uh, Babs, uh, instead of
"Don't Rain on My Parade,"
do "People Who Need People."
The blue-hairs are losing
their slow dance song
since "Tiny Bubbles" is out.
I'll manage...
I guess.
Thanks, Mike.
Sex Machine, you close it out.
-I'll go tell the band.
-All right.
You supposed to be
Loretta Lynn?
Oh, oh, Patsy Cline.
I sing her songs all the time.
I don't usually
dress like this,
but any chance to sing,
you know?
Yeah, I just can't be Don h*
on my birthday.
Oh, happy birthday.
It's not really my birthday.
Oh, o... okay.
You know, you could be
Frank Sinatra.
Maybe sing "Luck Be a Lady."
Yeah, I like Frank,
but the whole crooner vibe?
I don't know, I like to move.
-I like to rock.
-Yeah.
Elvis has left the building.
Oh, you know who
you'd be perfect for?
Neil Diamond.
Oh, no. Never.
No, I hold that man
in such high regard.
-No, no, no, no.
-"Sweet Caroline."
-Yeah. "Ba-ba." I know, I know.
-Bom, bom, bom.
No, no, no, listen.
He's got other songs, too, okay?
And if it ever got back
to him that I was
goofing on his music or...
like Earl over there,
I'd k*ll myself.
Not Neil. I...
You know how much he got paid
for that cruise?
20,000 bucks.
That poseur pulled in 20 Gs?
Wa-ha!
Nostalgia pays.
Oh, God,
I'm burning up in this wig.
If my boobs were just
a bit bigger, I could be Dolly.
You're a blonde?
Oh, boy, am I.
All right,
put your hands together
for Ms. Patsy
and The Greatest Hits.
I hope you sing
as good as you look.
I go out walkin'
After midnight
Out in the moonlight
Just like we used to do
I'm always walkin'
After midnight
Searchin' for you...
Claire Stengl.
She sing country, rock,
classical like that
"Ave Maria" joint.
Hmm.
She look all kind of good,
don't she?
Huh! Yeah!
My man Lightning.
After midnight
Searchin' for you
I stop and see
a weepin' willow
Cryin' on his pillow
Maybe he's cryin' for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night winds whisper to me
I'm lonesome as I can be
I go out walkin'
After midnight
Out in the starlight
Just hopin' you may be
Somewhere a-walkin'
After midnight
Searchin' for me.
Okay, Mike.
Open wide.
Geez.
You could park a car
in that gap.
I'll take a Cadillac.
I got something
much better for you.
Take a look...
at this.
Is that a lightning bolt?
Lightning for Lightning.
So when I smile,
it'll be like I'm advertising.
That is smart, Dr. Dave.
See, that is why
you're my manager, Dr. Dave.
Always thinking.
I got a call from Walter
over at First National.
First thing,
he still wants you to perform
at his Christmas party.
-Great.
-Second thing,
you're three months behind
on your mortgage.
Can't he just take it out
of my performance fee?
Mike, it's not something
you can just sing away.
Maybe you should think
about downsizing.
No, I got to keep my house.
When my daughter comes up,
that's the one consistent thing
that she's got.
Anyway, we shouldn't be talking
about downsizing.
We should be talking about
getting higher-paid gigs,
like a residency,
something steady.
Why don't you talk
to your Buddy Holly friend?
You know, he's got that gig
over at the Shawano Casino.
Eh, Mark's pissed at me.
I quit the Legends gig
the other night.
What? Why'd you quit?
'Cause he wouldn't let me
be Lightning.
You were supposed to be Don h*.
Why I got to be
anybody other than me?
I should be enough.
sh*t. Well...
I guess there goes
my ten-dollar commission.
Do you need an oil change?
Come on, give me your car keys.
Ah, Cracklin' Rosie,
get on board
Get on board
We're gonna ride till
there ain't no more to go
-Takin' it slow
-Takin' it slow
-And Lord, don't you know
-Lord, don't you know
-We'll have me a time
-Don't you know
-With a poor man's lady
-Don't you know... lady
Hitchin' on a twilight train
Ain't nothing here
that I care to take along
Maybe a song
To sing when I want
No need to say please
to no man for a happy tune
Oh, I love my Rosie child
You got the way
to make me happy
You and me, we go in style
Cracklin' Rose,
you're a store-bought woman
But you make me sing
like a guitar hummin'
So hang on to me, girl
Our song keeps runnin' on
Play it now, play it now
Play it now, my baby...
Oh! Ow! Ow!
Geez... Ow!
Everybody!
Come on!
-Gotta get on up
-Get on up
Gotta get on up
-Get on up
-Gotta get on up now
-Get on up
-Gotta get on up
-Get on up
-How can you sit yourself
Down for a rest
When you know that
I'm trying my best
To dance with you?
Get on up
-To dance with you
-Get on up
You know what, sugar?
Hey, you.
Thank you.
So...
you just go by Claire Stengl?
Well, I used to be
Claire Cartwright,
but then after the divorce,
I switched it back
to my maiden name,
which is Stengl,
so Claire Stengl.
It's not the most exciting
stage name...
I know, but it's not like
I'm Cher or Madonna.
Oh. You're better
than them broads.
-Stop. You're so sweet.
-You are.
I'm a hairdresser part-time.
I wash. I trim. No dye jobs.
By the way, I did change
my hair up a little bit.
-I noticed.
-Did you notice?
You also got a new tooth.
Oh, yeah. Look.
-Huh?
-Is that a lightning bolt?
-Oh, my God.
-Yes, yes, 'cause...
-'Cause you're Lightning.
-Right.
I know, I know.
I know all about you.
My girlfriends and I,
we used to go to Hegarty's
-on Friday nights.
-Hegarty's. Come on.
And I remember you sang ZZ Top,
"Sharp Dressed Man,"
and at the chorus you'd, like,
push your pelvis out like Elvis
and we'd scream
like schoolgirls.
You're really good.
You know the other day
when I said it was my birthday?
Oh, yeah, the birthday
that wasn't your birthday.
What was that?
I'm an alcoholic.
-Okay.
-Not anymore.
I mean, I'm always gonna be
an alcoholic,
but I've been sober 20 years,
and the other day was...
well, they call it
a sober birthday.
Happy belated sober birthday.
Here's the thing.
With sobriety, you-you got to
face up to certain truths.
Way to go, Lightning. 20 years.
All right, I'm not a songwriter,
I'm not a sex symbol, but I
just want to entertain people
-and I want to make a living.
-I know. Me, too.
I don't want to be
a hairdresser.
I want to sing. I want to dance.
I want a house. I want a garden.
-I want a cat.
-So here's what I'm thinking.
I need a hook.
I need something big.
I need something new.
And as you put it,
nostalgia pays.
Us, me, you--
it's not going to happen.
Miss Fine,
you're old enough to be my...
-Watch it.
-Sister.
-Hey.
-Hey, Mom.
Was the guy a wacko?
Dana, this is Mike.
Mike Sardina.
As you were.
Hi.
So, feel free
to make yourself a...
any nonalcoholic beverage
you like.
All right.
I'm gonna make a pot of coffee.
-You like it black or sweet?
-I don't drink coffee.
Want to start?
Hi. Is Grandma down?
-Like, hours ago.
-Oh, good.
You didn't bring him home,
did you?
-Am I shiny?
-He-he's here?
'Cause I am sweating
like a wh*re in church.
Oh, my...
The building manager came by.
You know, we got
a two-week extension,
-but it's another $50...
-Rachel, Rachel.
Don't worry about it, okay?
I'm gonna take care of that.
-Wait...
-I'm gonna wear these.
-Those are my shoes, Mom.
-Honey, he was so cute.
-What are you...
-He was so cute on that stage
with The Esquires,
and he was smiling at me.
-Okay.
-And then we went for a walk,
and it was just magic.
And I know you see magic
all the time
'cause you're young,
but I don't.
And so it was just beautiful.
Magic doesn't happen for me
all the time.
Rachel, I want you to go
introduce yourself to him.
-Okay? I want you to do that.
-Uh, um, I'm not doing...
Rachel, don't be a sourpuss.
You're gonna go outside,
and I want you
to say hello to him.
-No, I'm not.
-No, no, no.
-We're not doing that. No, no.
-I... Mom!
I'm not doing this right now.
I have to deal with
your boyfriends all the time.
-They come into this house...
-All the time?
Yeah, the last one
smelled like a skunk.
-He was clearly a dope dealer.
-He just liked...
-No, he was not.
-He was. Yes.
-We're gonna go outside...
-He's a Zen guy, Mom.
One second. Let's go.
-Mom.
-Yeah, come on. Let's go.
-Mike? Mike.
-Hey.
Yeah?
Mike, this is
my daughter Rachel.
Oh, hey. How's it going?
Rachel, say something.
Don't make a mess on the couch.
-Rachel!
-What?
Hey, what do you think?
Oh.
It's good.
-Right? -You know, we just got
to work your hair
a little differently,
and I got a guy for that.
All right. Oh, and look at
these outfits. Come on.
Look at that. It's, like,
shimmering, you know?
Oh. You know, my hair guy
does clothes, too.
Awesome. You know, Neil...
is special,
and I just want everyone
to get that feeling I get
when I listen
to "America" and
"Forever in Blue Jeans"...
-Or "Sweet Caroline."
-And "Sweet Caroline," yeah,
but I-I'm never gonna be
the real McCoy.
I mean, I-I don't really
look like Neil.
I don't even really
sound like Neil.
And I... I got to be Neil,
but I just got to be me, too.
Yeah, you don't want to be
a Neil Diamond... impersonator.
You want to be
a Neil Diamond interpreter.
I was looking for
the right way to say it,
and you just came right out
and said it.
A Neil Diamond interpreter.
-Mm, yeah.
-Yeah. Oh.
And you can sing
some Patsy Cline songs,
-like-like one or two.
-Oh.
I mean, maybe while you're
doing a costume change, but...
no, I don't want
to confuse people.
I will back you up
in keyboards and vocals,
but this is about Neil.
And this is about
his fans, you know?
Yeah. Yeah.
I can sing
the Barbra Streisand part on
-"You Don't Bring Me Flowers."
-"You Don't Bring Me Flowers."
Right, but we got to get 'em
on their feet
and get 'em clapping.
-Look up "Cherry, Cherry."
-Mm.
All right, ready?
Two, three, and...
Baby loves me
Yeah, yeah, she does
Uh, you see where
I underlined there?
I was thinking maybe
at the top...
Oh, yeah, I double up.
I got it, I got it, I got it.
Baby loves me
Yeah, yeah, she does
Good.
Ah, the girl's
outta sight, yeah
Says she loves me
Yes, yes, she does
Nice.
Mm, gonna show me
tonight, yeah
Hey, she got the way
to move me
Cherry
She got the way to groove me
She got the way to move me
-Cherry, baby
-She got the way
To groove me
Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Tell your mama, girl,
we can't stay long
We got things
we gotta catch up on
Mm, you know
-You know what I'm sayin'
-Excuse me. Excuse me!
Oh.
Much too late for anyone
to be singing that loud.
Ma, this is the man
I was telling you about.
Mike Sardina.
-This is Lightning.
-How you doing tonight?
Not good.
Sing softer.
She's going
to a retirement home.
I'd like to say that
she's less grumpy in the day,
but I'd be lying.
What's that? That's very pretty.
Well, she said, "Sing softer."
I'm going softer.
She was morning
And I was nighttime
I one day woke up
To find her lying
Beside my bed
I softly said
"Come take me"
For I've been lonely
In need of someone
As though I'd done
someone wrong somewhere
But I don't know where
I don't know where
Come lately
You are the sun
I am the moon
You are the words,
I am the tune
Play me
Nice.
Song she sang to me
Song she brang to me
Words that rang in me
A rhyme that sprang from me
Warmed the night
And what was right
Became me
You are the sun
I am the moon
You are the words,
I am the tune
Play me
My ex-husband?
He's a good guy.
And he really liked
my singing and all,
but when I started trying
to book gigs,
he just started
making fun of it,
like it was a threat
or something.
I don't know why he...
wanted to make me feel
so small, but he sure did.
Hmm.
I got to say,
with me and my ex...
...I was the one
making her feel small.
I was selfish. I was angry.
I was... wrong.
But I'm here, you know,
trying to be better.
I mean, aren't we all?
And so it was
That I came to travel
Upon a road
That was thorned and narrow
Another place
Another grace
Would save me
You are the sun,
I am the moon
You are the words,
I am the tune
Play me
You are the sun,
I am the moon
You are the words
I am the tune
Play...
Me.
That's great.
And, uh, hey,
I was thinking, uh...
Yeah?
I was thinking we should
call ourselves something.
-Oh, like a tribute band name?
-Yeah.
So I'm thinking
Lightning & Thunder:
A Neil Diamond Experience.
-Lightning & Thunder?
-Yeah.
So you'd be Lightning and...
I'd be Thunder?
Uh, yeah.
You...
Mm. That is not
very professional of me,
but I've been wanting to do it
for, like, a whole...
Mm.
-Okay. I'm...
-Okay. Yeah.
Every day
It's a-gettin' closer
Going faster
than a roller coaster
Love like yours will
surely come my way
A-hey, a-hey, hey
Every day seems
a little longer
Every way
Love's a little stronger
Come what may,
do you ever long for
True love from me?
Every day
It's a-gettin' closer
Going faster
than a roller coaster
Love like yours will
surely come my way.
I know I let you down.
But just know that I am very...
Oh, what's the word you said?
"Contrary"?
-"Contrite."
-Contrite.
He's very contrite.
There's always that one friend
you can't say no to
even though they repeatedly
crap on you.
I hope I'm that friend.
Hey, Tom.
Okay, now, Tom is a good guy.
Okay?
He's got all the connections
to all the casinos and venues
from Chicago to Branson.
Mike, meet Tom D'Amato.
How are you, Mr. Sardina?
I'm huge.
Uh, uh, you may not
remember this,
but-but I would sit at the bar
at the Chubby Bear...
-Oh, yeah.
-Yeah.
Every Thursday night,
and watch you play
with your first band,
-Positive Traction. Yeah.
-Positive Traction.
Yeah, we made some noise,
but it was in tune.
You were really good, Mike.
-Thank you. Thank you.
-Really good band.
Well, I was, uh,
talking to your manager,
and he said that you're gonna
do a Neil Diamond show?
Mm-mm. Mm-mm.
A Neil Diamond Experience.
My partner Claire and I,
we start rehearsing
with costumes and everything
next week.
Oh. Costumes? Really?
-Wow, wow, wow.
-Right, but one day, I see us
being backed by a big
orchestra, maybe even a choir.
And I tell you,
I tell you, it's gon...
I mean, I know
we got to start small, right,
if I want to play someplace
like this, but one day...
But you got to make sure
you play "Sweet Caroline."
Oh, we close with
"Sweet Caroline."
-Oh, great.
-But we open...
with "Soolaimon."
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
A bit louder.
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
A little bit of smoke.
Soo, soolaimon
Come on, now.
Soolai, soolai
Soolaimon.
"Soola-mond"?
-"Soolaimon." "Soolaimon."
-Uh, okay.
Is that an African word?
Like, Swahili?
I think it might be Hebrew,
like Solomon.
No, no, it's Arabic.
It's a call to celebration.
The audience are our flock,
-and we are the shepherd.
-Oh.
-I-I just got some chills. Wow.
-You feel that? You feel it?
We're gonna get that
casino gig for you.
But it's gonna take building
a lot of momentum.
Right.
But, Mike, you have passion.
And all I ask--
if you'll allow me
to work in service
of that passion.
-We'd love to have you
on the team. -Oh!
Music to my ears.
Mike, thank you.
-Welcome aboard.
-Thank you so much.
I have to roll right now. Sorry.
But we will be in touch.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I hope you had a great time
at the Shawano Casino.
The Badger Bus will be leaving
in ten minutes
for the Potawatomi
Hotel and Casino.
See you, Mike.
All aboard!
I don't know how long
this rehearsal's gonna take.
I don't want anyone
asking me that.
We really have
to call him Lightning?
It's kind of weird.
Every time he comes
to pick me up,
he tries to connect with you,
and you do not
make it easy, Rach.
He's very nervous
about you coming.
-Okay. -So to make you
more comfortable,
he invited his daughter.
-What?
-And she's your age.
-This is a playdate?
-Yeah, she's only a year older.
-Oh, Jesus Christ.
-God, why does everything
-have to be so hard?
-What am I, six?
I just want to sing and be
happy and feel loved, and I...
and I don't want everything
to be such a big deal!
Come on. Come on out.
Hey.
Wave. Wave to him.
Hi!
Smile and wave at him.
g*dd*mn it.
Be nice.
When my dad bought this place,
the runway wasn't finished.
Now you get like...
ten planes a day.
-Oh.
-Except Sundays.
So...
do you split your time
between your...
your mom and your dad?
Um...
not really.
No, I mean, my dad's cool,
but it's just...
No, I get it.
It's better for me
to be full-time with my mom
in Florida, but...
Don't get me wrong,
my dad's great.
He's just, uh...
He's... he's artistic.
Mm. Artistic.
Yeah, I...
I know all about that.
Hey, Mike,
can you open the garage?
It's getting really hot in here.
I would.
The lady across the street
was giving me the evil eye
as we was unpacking the drums,
so maybe not.
Bomar.
We still good with that
barter situation we discussed
with me, uh, playing
with The Esquires?
You'd be playing four free gigs
just for all of us
to do one show.
Yeah, I understand.
It's just I, you know,
can't pay you anything
right now. That's all.
We came here for you, brother.
But your lady ain't wrong.
It's hot as Satan's ba*ls.
Open the door.
Yeah.
All right,
maybe just for a little bit.
Mark.
What are you doing here?
Buddy Holly died at 22.
I'm 52, and I've been
keeping that guy alive
30 years past his prime.
I don't even need these.
What I'm saying is...
I'm here if you need me.
Thanks.
I didn't bring an amp.
Yeah. We got you.
All right, guys...
My dad, he was a tunnel rat
in Vietnam.
They would send him
into the tunnels underground
where the enemy was hiding,
and they had it
booby-trapped, so...
sometimes he'd have to...
like, crawl over dead bodies.
So, yeah, he...
he used to drink.
My mom, she can get,
um, depressed,
so she's, like, on meds.
I try to keep up with it
for her, 'cause she can get...
...scattered, you know?
Well, you know,
most recovering alcoholics
just trade one addiction
for another,
and music's that for Dad.
Without music, he can get, um...
What'd you call it?
Scattered.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah. I think we covered all
our f*cked-up family history.
Most of it.
-Might be a little more.
-Oh, there's more?
Maybe a little. Just a little.
Hey, listen, I know
we just met, too, but, um...
I have a joint.
You know, I thought
I smelled it on you.
Mm
I got a song been on my mind
And the tune can be sung
and the words all rhyme
Though it don't say much
and it won't offend
If you sing it at school
They're liable
to send you home
Never knowin'
what you're showin'
Think you're growin'
your own tea
Good Lordy
Let me hear that,
get me near that
Crunchy Granola Suite
Drop your shrink
and stop your drinkin'
Crunchy granola's neat
Sing it out
All right
I wouldn't go any shorter
than this, though.
No, I want it to ripple and wave
when the wind blows my shirt,
like...
-Wind in a bar? How?
-Yeah.
Like a leaf blower.
-Do you have one?
-Sure.
I know a man was outta touch
And he'd hide in a house
and he didn't say much
Okay.
I used to do this as a kid.
Come on.
Am I getting... getting on here?
-Okay.
-Here.
Lay back.
Family man
Tried my brand
Dig! Ha!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Let me hear that,
get me near that
Crunchy Granola Suite
Drop your shrink
and stop your drinkin'
Crunchy granola's neat
Sing it out
All right
Hey! Come on! Hey!
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Whoo!
Yeah!
Oh, I was scared
you were gonna hit your head.
If you live long enough...
you can see your dreams
die a slow death.
Young people don't know
how good they have it.
Not 'cause they can, uh,
touch their toes
and screw all night.
They haven't learned that most
things just don't work out.
Most times, you just mess it up,
so it's easier not to try.
We're all just looking
for some hope.
But at my age, hope is hard.
Hope's not enough.
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change,
the courage to change
the things I can,
and the wisdom
to know the difference.
There seems to be a bit
of a miscommunication.
When I booked this gig
a month ago,
it was my understanding
that there was
a motor home convention in town,
being that
that's what I was told.
No, I didn't.
I did not say that.
You said the
Emerald Motor Home Convention!
I said
Emerald Lion Motor Club Reunion.
And you said you had
a classic rock band
like ZZ Top or CCR.
-Neil Diamond? Not classic?
-All right, Tom, Tom,
Tom, Tom, Tom.
Tom,
I still don't see the problem.
You see, Mike,
with these motor home types,
uh, I figured we're
in the pocket, you know?
-But these bikers...
-They love Neil Diamond.
I-I don't know. Look at 'em.
They got leather, chains. I-I...
Neil Diamond doesn't
have chains.
That's a lot of leather.
We ain't got nothing
these hog-squashers can dig.
Mike, why don't we put
Claire up first?
I mean, look at her.
She's pretty. She's nice.
Have her sing "Crazy" or one
of those Lynyrd Skynyrd songs.
-They'd love Lynyrd Skynyrd.
-You know, I can fake
my way through
"Sweet Home Alabama."
No, no, no, we're not changing
our show, all right? No.
At least start
with "Sweet Caroline."
Nobody here is gonna appreciate
the Arabic incantations
of "Solomon."
-"Soolaimon"!
-"Soolaimon."
We could move up
"Kentucky Woman."
And open with "America."
-"America" is great.
-'Cause bikers love...
I'm in charge of this band,
and I'm telling you
we open with "Soolaimon"!
Have you got the fans?
Yeah.
I got the fans.
Soo, soolaimon
Travelers of our nation's
Emerald highway,
-welcome to Tierney's Tavern.
-Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
-I am Lightning.
-Soo...
This vision of beauty
is Thunder.
Oh, come on.
We bring greetings
to the great city of Chicago
with the songs
of the incomparable,
leather-jacket-wearing
entertainer Neil Diamond.
We are Lightning & Thunder.
God of my want, want, want
Lord of my need, need, need
Leading me on
-Man, what is this trash?
-On, on
On to my woman,
she dance for the sun
Lord of my day, day, day
I'm blinded by that shirt!
Play "Free Bird"!
-God of my night
-This is awful!
Night, night
You're ruining my night!
Seek for the way, way, way
-Taking me home
-Someone get him off there.
What does bumblebee
think he's doing?
-She callin'
-Nice shirt, loser!
-Soo, soolaimon
-Get off the stage!
Play some rock and roll!
-Soolai, soolai
-My mom sings better!
Soolaimon
Soo...
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Come on.
-Hey, come on.
-All right, that's enough.
-Get rid of the guy.
-Just, we're up here.
We're just trying
to entertain you. That's all.
Neil Diamond sucks!
What did you say?
You heard me, nelly.
Oh, Mike! Oh, my God!
-Jimmy, get over there!
-Oh, my God, Mike!
-Mike!
-Mike! Oh, my God.
-Come on, say it again!
-Come on, nelly!
You're the worst manager
in the history of the world.
Don't talk to me. Don't talk!
What did you say? Say it again!
Mike!
Oh, Tom. Here.
Ah, it's okay. I-I'm a bleeder.
Oh, God.
-It's really...
-I mean, it's just a nosebleed.
It's not bad.
Hey, Tom, can you drive?
Because if you can't,
one of us could.
No, I-I have to, Ricky.
It's a liability
insurance issue.
You know, it's a requirement.
Tom, put this in your nose.
-This?
-Yeah, to...
Hold it in there
so the blood doesn't come out.
Yeah, let it all down the side.
Tell Mike I'm sorry.
You be safe.
Okay.
Had a whole plan for how
tonight would go, and I just...
it all went south.
Well, you made it very clear
that you are in charge of this
band and make the decisions,
so I guess if it was
a Donna Summer tribute band,
I'd be calling the shots, but...
now I know.
It's your show.
I mean, would it have k*lled you
to open with "Sweet Caroline"?
There's more to Neil Diamond
than "Sweet Caroline."
He's got hundreds of songs,
and all anybody wants to hear
is "Sweet Caroline"--
"bom, bom, bom."
That's right.
That's what they want to hear.
After the show, I was gonna
take you to this fancy hotel
with a big suite
and an all-you-can-eat buffet,
and I was gonna propose and...
What?
Yeah, I got you
a ring and everything.
But if you're not into it,
maybe we could still
hit that buffet.
They got a guy there that does
omelets and crepes and...
Mmm!
Oh, yes!
-Oh, yes!
-What?
To you, to this, to everything.
Okay.
Oh.
Okay, wait, one thing.
Anything.
We open with "Sweet Caroline."
-Agree?
-I do.
Where it began
I can't begin
to know when...
I would like to welcome you
to this celebration of marriage.
Marriage is the promise
between two people
who love each other...
...who trust that love,
honor each other as individuals
in that togetherness,
and who wish to spend the rest
of their lives together.
...keeping yourself
solely unto him
as for as long as you may live?
I do.
Hands...
I do.
...and the power
entrusted in me,
I pronounce you
husband and wife.
Now, jump back
and kiss yourself.
Touching me
Touching you
Sweet Caroline
Ba, ba, ba
Good times never
seemed so good
I've been inclined
-Ba, ba, ba
-To believe
They never would, but now I
We need to hit two venues
in under four hours.
We got a 7:00 p.m. show
at Good Time Charlie's...
All right, here we go.
All aboard!
Look at the night
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurtin' runs off
my shoulders
How can I hurt
when holding you?
Are you ready to rock out
to some Neil Diamond?
Warm
Touching warm
Reaching out
Touching me
Touching you
Sweet Caroline
Ba, ba, ba
Good times never
seemed so good
So good, so good, so good
I've been inclined
Ba, ba, ba
To believe they never would
Oh, no, no
Oh, my heart throbs.
He's such a good-looking man.
Claire Sardina sang
Patsy Cline songs.
Mike Sardina sang
rock and roll medleys.
But together, they are
Lightning & Thunder,
a Neil Diamond tribute band
the people of Milwaukee
can't seem to get enough of.
I just love
Lightning & Thunder.
They are my fave.
You know, you're gonna see
Lightning & Thunder
in Las Vegas.
Oh, "Sweet Caroline"? I-I think
that's my new favorite song.
Sweet Caroline
Ba, ba, ba
Sweet Caroline
Ba, ba, ba
Good times never
seemed so good
So good, so good, so good
Sweet Caroline
Ba, ba, ba
I believe they never could
Oh, no, no.
Here's the question:
Tell me something
that people are struck by.
-Lightning.
-Oh! Lightning!
-Yeah.
-Lightning.
Lightning!
Oh, no.
Rachel, can you please
make me spaghetti?
Mom wants fish sticks again.
I'm dying.
-Mike?
-Yeah!
-Eddie on the phone for you.
-My show, baby.
Uh, auto shop Eddie
or another Eddie?
-No clue.
-As you were.
-Number one: lightning.
-Really?
-Yeah.
-What?
Hey. Hey.
Another person.
Uh, you mean like
a commercial or...
I mean, we've done car shows
before, but never a...
Like a concert for jelly?
Hold on. What's a Pearl Jam?
-What about Pearl Jam?
-That's what I'm asking.
This guy says
he's with Pearl Jam.
Give me the phone.
Who the hell is this?
What's Pearl Jam?
It's a band, Mike.
You don't know who Pearl Jam is?
Oh, Pearl Jam's a "who"?
C-Could you hold, please?
Yeah, so...
um... I think I'm gonna
throw up right now.
This is Eddie Vedder.
Eddie Vedder's on the phone
right now.
Say something and not stupid.
Yeah, Lightning speaking.
Uh, all right, let me check.
Are we doing anything on Friday?
No!
Um...
no, it sounds great.
Okay. See ya.
Wow.
I guess we're opening
for Pearl Jam.
Oh, my God!
-Oh, my God! -Oh, my God,
I'm gonna meet Eddie Vedder!
How did this happen?
Oh, I
Oh, oh, I'm still alive
Yeah, yeah, I
Oh, oh, I'm still alive
Yeah, yeah, I...
Hey, uh,
we're Lightning & Thunder.
Yeah, we're opening
for Pearl Jam.
Uh, okay. I'll check.
Mm...
Whoa, I always wanted one
of those Everly Brother Gibsons
with the wraparound pick guard.
-Yeah.
-It's a beaut.
Yeah, uh, Neil plays
one of these, right?
Mostly uses the Ovation
acoustics, but, uh...
-Yeah.
-You, uh... you on the tour?
Uh, me and my wife here,
we're, uh...
You're the Pearl Jam guy.
We-we talked on the phone.
I'm-I'm Eddie.
Eddie. That's right. Hey.
Thanks for this.
Um, Eddie, I'm, uh...
just a little worried
your crowd may not dig
my kind of show.
I-I don't get a lot
of mosh pits, you know?
There are no rules, man.
Tony Bennett's opening
for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Tony Bennett?
Besides, who doesn't like
Neil Diamond, right?
Are you, uh... are you playing
"Holly Holy" tonight?
Uh, no, not for this crowd,
but, uh...
Hey.
You mind if I ask you a favor,
you know,
one musician to another?
This is exciting.
It's happening.
-It's happening.
-Okay, okay. All good.
They're ready.
Come on!
Holy sh*t.
If you've ever had a shot,
pal, this is it.
Eddie, I love you!
Please welcome to the stage
Milwaukee's own
Lightning & Thunder.
Hello, Milwaukee!
-That's great. The costumes
look great. -Yeah, yeah.
Come on, kids!
Yeah.
Very big for them.
You know the words. Come on.
Money talks
It don't sing and dance
and it don't walk
Long as I can have you
here with me
I'd much rather be
forever in blue jeans
Honey's sweet
It ain't nothin'
next to baby's treat
And if you pardon me,
I'd like to say
We'd do okay
Forever in blue jeans
Give it up for Eddie Vedder!
Maybe tonight
Maybe tonight by the fire
All alone, you and I
Nothing around
but the sound of my heart
And your sighs
Come on, Milwaukee!
Money talks
But it don't sing and dance
and it don't walk
As long as I can have you
here with me
I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans, babe
And honey's sweet
It ain't nothin'
next to baby's treat
If you pardon me,
I'd like to say
We'd do okay
-Forever in blue jeans
-I love you, Eddie!
Eddie Vedder!
Lightning & Thunder, baby!
-It was like...
-Oh, my God.
-...he wanted to keep going.
-He was so cute, too.
But that audience,
they were just, like...
they were just, like...
You look so good.
Oh!
Money talks
But it don't sing and dance
and it don't walk
As long as I can have you
here with me
I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans, babe.
Zoo... ming in.
Zoo... ming out.
Hasn't hit our house yet.
And Rachel's fixing
her boyfriend's car.
-We were just changing the oil.
-She's not fixing it.
I know how to do it.
She just wanted to show me.
Everybody on the block
has flowers and bushes,
and then you look at this,
and we have nothing,
so I want flowers
and color and beauty.
Look at that.
Four shows a week
at the Shawano Casino,
two shows on Saturday.
Two shows on Saturday!
"As seen with Pearl Jam."
We're in the big time.
Hey, Papa, how you doing?
How am I doing? I'm huge!
All right.
Which way are you facing?
Over here? Where do you want me?
In the corner? Over here?
That-that...
I think that's good.
All right.
Are you gonna put on some pants?
Nah. sh**t me from the waist up.
All right.
Tell me when you're ready.
I'm ready when you are.
All right, this is
a prerecorded message
to be played on July 28th.
Hello. My name is Mike,
and I'm an alcoholic.
That's the part where
you all say, "Hello, Mike."
-Hello, Mike.
-Hello.
Very good.
Uh, today is, uh, my 21st...
sober birthday,
and, uh, I won't be able
to be there with you today
because I'll be playing my
new gig at the Shawano Casino,
but, uh, I thought maybe,
even though I can't be there,
I would sing you my song
just to...
well, just to let you all know
how important you all are to me.
This is not a sad song
A sad song to sing
when you're alone
Oh, no.
In a way, it's a glad song
Yeah, a glad song
A simple song that simply
seems to make you feel good
When you sing along
Song sung blue
Everybody...
Mom!
-Dana!
-Excuse me.
-Uh, where is Claire Sardina?
-Rachel!
-That's her daughter.
-What's going on?
-What happened?
-A car rode on top...
What?
She was... she was gardening,
and a car rode on top of her.
Need to increase the pressure.
Mom!
-What's going...
-It's okay. It's okay.
What's going on?
Come here. Johnny, Johnny.
Take Dana to the waiting room.
Take him.
-Take him. Okay.
-Come on.
-Gonna be all right.
-Is she gonna die?
-She's gonna make it.
-Is she... You have to tell me.
-But we got to talk.
-Is she gonna die?
-We got to talk. Come here.
-What's going on?
Okay, listen to me.
Who's that guy
on the show you like?
Uh, the guy with the eyebrows.
-Uh...
-What are you...
-George, George.
-What are you talking about?
-Uh, the guy from ER.
-What does this h-have to do...
Uh, Clooney, Clooney.
Listen to me. Listen to me.
Okay, something's
about to go down,
and you and I are gonna
take care of it...
-No, I need to...
-...while they work on your ma.
Now, listen to me.
I got a jacked-up heart...
I got a jacked-up heart,
I've had it for a long time,
and I think I'm having
a heart attack.
What?
You-you need to get a doctor.
No, no, no, no, no.
We're gonna do my plan.
It's gonna be okay.
Now, you listen.
Listen to me, Rachel, okay?
So...
I am gonna pass out,
and when I do,
you're gonna jolt me back
just like George does.
-No.
-Now, remember how I showed you
how to jump a car?
This is just like that.
I've done it before.
You can do this.
You see that?
You're gonna hold that,
and you're gonna put
that one up here.
In your right hand, you're
gonna put that down here.
All right?
You can do this, Rachel.
-I can't do this, Mike.
-Now, after you hear the...
-I can't do this. No...
-After you hear the...
After I...
after I hear the what?
Mike!
Lightning! Lightning!
Papa!
Claire!
-Baby, baby, hey.
-Oh, I think I'm okay.
Oh, God. Claire, what happened?
I just... I...
I just... I just forgot.
Oh.
God.
Come on, baby.
Hold tight.
It's only been three weeks
since your accident.
It's gonna take time to adjust.
Those motor skills
can take control.
-I know. -Especially
in the middle of the night
-when you're not
completely awake. -I know.
I just don't want to dwell
on it and get stuck.
If I have to make adjustments,
I just want to make them
and move on.
And that day will come,
but you need to allow yourself
some time.
Please understand, Mr. Sardina,
this isn't something that needs
to be paid in full today.
The old guy that lost control
and hit my wife with the car,
his family isn't able
to provide the settlement money
for another six months.
What am I supposed to do
in the meantime?
There's dismemberment insurance
that your wife can qualify for.
That should cover
a sizable portion of the cost.
That's a different department,
but I'd be happy to put you
in touch with them.
-Mm-hmm.
-And we still need to bill
your insurance company.
Insurance?
Miss, do you know any musicians?
We're broke as a joke.
Me and Mike, we started singing.
We were really cooking.
And I could see it,
like-like a way to pay my bills
and-and be able to say I...
"Look at me. I made it."
Take one
every three to four hours
for the phantom pains.
I was so close.
Yeah, thanks, Doc. Thanks.
Mom?
-It's Wednesday.
-Mm.
Your prosthetic therapy
is in half an hour.
-Okay?
-Yeah, hon, no.
I-I don't think I can do that.
Okay, fine. If-if you're
gonna cancel again,
how about you make the call?
'Cause they don't buy my lies,
-and I'm sick of doing it.
-You know what?
-Can you just give me a minute?
-Mom, we got to go.
We got to drive there
-and-and get you in the car.
-Rachel.
-And it's gonna take a second.
-Rach.
Rach, please,
just give me a minute.
All right, fine. Just hurry up.
Give me a minute.
I said give me a minute!
Rachel.
g*dd*mn it, I...
Dinner's ready.
It's geometry, and I told him...
Oh, I'm good at geometry.
I hate it. There's no point.
I don't understand
when I'm gonna use any of it.
And I told that to him.
I was like, "I don't..."
Oh, you don't use it ever.
The thing about it is...
Why do I want to learn that
if I'm not gonna use it?
-It's, like, problem solving.
-Hey.
What happened to therapy?
Are you serious?
I mean, that was... that was
four hours ago, and you...
You know what, I'm-I'm not...
-I'm done.
-Oh, honey, grab a seat.
Come here. Come on.
Come on, babe.
We, uh, got screwed
on the mashed potatoes.
We got gravy, just no potatoes.
Anyway...
So, uh, I don't know,
maybe we take
a little road trip
down to Six Flags.
Get some, uh...
get some sunshine, you know?
A little adventure?
I'm gonna have
a little extra money,
seeing as I, uh,
may have got a job.
Yeah.
You guys remember Cliff?
You know, Sex Machine?
Does James Brown?
He says he might have some work
for me down at this Thai joint.
Uh, they just need
a host for karaoke,
but, uh, he thought
I could fill in for him.
So, you're gonna play
Neil Diamond songs?
Uh, no.
I mean, maybe a few, but
it's more of a hosting thing.
Getting other people singing,
you know?
-Yeah.
-Karaoke.
You know, it's only temporary.
It's, uh...
you know, until your mother
and me can, uh...
Get back on our feet?
How are things going at home?
Not.
Hmm.
I know the band
has other gigs, but, uh,
maybe you and Claire can still
use that karaoke machine.
It's not about
the instrumentation.
It's just, she won't
get up out of bed.
It's these drugs she's on,
and...
her mind, it...
Now, what does a duo do
if one doesn't want to do
what the other's doing?
I believe in you, Mike.
I always have.
Now, open up here.
Do you sing anything current?
Anything contemporary pop
or just dad rock stuff?
Dad rock? Like...
She means like, you know,
Skynyrd, Creedence, Steely Dan.
-That type of thing.
-Oh, yeah.
I rock with those guys.
Yeah, I mean...
Sorry, are you saying
you don't want me
-to sing those songs or...
-I'm not saying not to.
I just want to hear Aaliyah and
Alanis every once in a while.
Yeah, Monica, Mariah.
See, the thing is, uh,
I got more of a specified act,
like Sex Machine here.
I mean, past year, I'm known
for singing Neil Diamond music.
But he can sing any music.
Luther Vandross, Usher, Jodeci.
...Neil Diamond?
Ah. "Soolaimon"?
"Soolaimon"?
You know "Soolaimon"?
Nobody knows "Soolaimon."
They only know "Sweet Caroline."
"America," "Cracklin' Rosie."
You sing "Play Me"?
Anytime.
Ah. Ah.
Ah.
...Neil Diamond.
You do know
who Jodeci is, right?
Hmm.
You can do your Neil Diamond
thing on Wednesday nights,
host karaoke Friday,
Saturday and Sunday.
Yeah.
Boom.
Brown, Brown,
Brown, Brown, Brown.
Head of family.
Yeah, yeah.
All right.
Name something that people
shake before they use it.
Yes, sir?
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Claire?
Claire? Claire?
Tell me something that men do
better than women.
As you were.
Oh, hey, Sister Anne.
Uh, no, this is Lightning,
her husband.
I mean Mike.
Uh...
Okay, yeah. No, sure. Tomorrow?
We... No, we can be there.
Uh, all right.
You have a good day, too.
Uh...
Why didn't you pick up
the phone?
Uh, that was Sister Anne.
She, uh...
she wants us to come in
for some kind of parent-teacher
thing tomorrow for Dana.
All right, I got to get ready
to go out.
Where are you going?
Uh, I got my night gig
at the Thai joint.
Been doing it for weeks now,
you space cadet.
Yeah.
I, uh...
I see the way you look at those
girls in the crowd, you know?
How they look back at you.
I'm not a fool.
Oh, yeah? You think I got
a little piece on the side
'cause I'm so young
and wealthy? Huh?
I used to think it was so cute
the way you'd take the scarf
and put it around
all those hussies and kiss 'em.
The scarf was a bit.
You know that.
Yeah, for Elvis,
not for Neil Diamond.
You just wanted
to kiss them, Mike.
You know, I really wish
these medications
would make up their mind.
Are you gonna be, like,
loopy and not give a sh*t,
or are you gonna be angry
and paranoid?
You know what?
My mom was right about you.
You're just a selfish
son of a b*tch.
So why don't you go find
yourself a new girlfriend
and give her a new nickname!
You think you're the only one
that's hurting?
-Every day, I think about
the big adios. -Oh.
Every day!
But I'm here trying! I'm here!
You want to throw sh*t at me?
You ought to throw
something else!
g*dd*mn it!
Did you ever read
about a frog
Who dreamed of being a king
And then became one?
Well, except for the names
and a few other changes
If you talk about me
The story is the same one
But I got
an emptiness deep inside...
Oh, sorry. We're closed.
Oh. That's my-my dad.
Ah, Lightning?
It's my mother's birthday.
She died of lung cancer.
Sad songs all night.
Right.
"I am," I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
"I am," I cried
"I am," said I.
You know, I...
I talk to Rachel a lot.
Hmm.
Rachel says that you and Claire
have been fighting a lot more.
So...
-Are you drinking or...
-No.
I'm wondering if, uh, the ride
would be a little less bumpy
if I fell off the wagon.
-When was your last meeting?
-Angie, what are you doing?
You're my daughter.
You're not my sponsor.
Look, everybody tells me
to move on.
I'm the guy
that looks like Neil.
"Why do you need Claire?"
But they-they just don't get it.
I...
I love her, and I'm...
I'm losing her.
Listen, just...
Dad...
would you just please
go to a meeting?
Please?
Mm.
Mike?
Ladies and gentlemen.
Sweet dreams
Of you
Every night
I go through
Why can't I forget you
And start my life anew
Instead of having
sweet dreams
About you?
Sweet dreams
Of you
Claire. Honey.
Claire.
Claire, come on. Come on down.
-Mike.
-Come on, let's go.
Come true
-Claire.
-Mike, don't do this.
-Mike, you're embarrassing me.
-No, no.
-I am not stopping.
-This is not your show.
-No.
-This is... You're confused.
-This is embarrassing.
-Come on. Come on, baby.
Mike, I would never
do this to you.
-You're scaring everybody.
-No, no.
And you're gonna get
yourself hurt. Let's go.
-Mike, no.
-Let's go. Go.
-I am not going any... Mike.
-Come on. Come on!
No.
-No, no.
-Mom?
What are you doing?
What are you all doing up here?
-It's okay. It's okay.
-What about the show?
-She's just tired. It's okay.
-Okay, we just...
Mom, we just are trying
to help you, Mom.
-No, no.
-Okay? We just...
No, this is my show.
I'm up here. I'm up here, Mike!
Okay, come on. Let's go.
I'm not going to stop the show!
-Come on, let's go.
-Don't touch me.
You're not even
supposed to be up here.
-Stop it, Mike!
-Baby, come here.
-Stop it. This is my show.
-Baby, come here. Come here.
-This is my show!
-It's okay. It's okay.
Mike's got it, okay?
-Help me.
-He'll figure it out.
-It's all right. It's okay.
-Mom.
There's a 72-hour
observation period
for all voluntary patients.
A mental health professional
will assess her condition
and determine the course of
treatment and length of stay.
And if you could just fill out
the medication
she's currently taking
or anything she'll need
over the next three weeks.
I...
I know I'm a...
I'm a stranger to you,
but what I could really use...
...right now is...
is for you to just tell me I'm
doing the right thing for...
...for her.
We're gonna take
really good care of her,
make sure she gets
what she needs, okay?
You okay?
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Oh, Mike.
I don't think we've been apart
more than a day
since we've been married.
It's okay.
-Okay. Okay.
-It's okay.
Okay.
Thank you.
Right through there.
O holy night
The stars are
brightly shining
It is the night
Of our dear Savior's
birth...
Hey. Um...
I was wondering if I could
speak to the manager
or the guy who, um...
who does the hiring.
My radiator is hissing.
I'm trying to get a job here.
Yeah, well, I'm trying
to get to my job.
Being that I'm the only one
that has one here.
Uh, listen, I-I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. God.
All right.
Here you go.
Here you go. Hold this.
Just pour it in.
-But there's a leak.
-Yeah.
It'll fix it. Just do it.
It's got, uh, like,
little metal particles in it
that, uh, heat up
while the car is running.
And then it melts into the leak,
welds it closed.
-Slow, slow, slow.
-Yeah.
I get it.
There's people in this world
that get new sh*t,
and then there's people like us
just patching up broken sh*t.
I... I know this
has been hard for you.
Somewhere along the way,
I got put in charge
of everyone's problems.
I worry about my mother.
I worry about Dana.
Every time you touch your chest,
I worry about you.
I don't want you worrying,
and trust me,
this thing with your mother
is gonna get better.
I'm pregnant.
Oh. Okay.
Uh... uh, when?
Like...
four months ago.
Four months?
Oh, my God.
How did we miss this?
Because you're all crazy.
I mean, I'm-I'm huge.
How can you not see?
We all put on some pounds.
I just thought it was
a family phase. It's...
Uh, here. Give me that.
Uh, is it the guy you were...
No, that's over.
He can't be counted on.
And...
I guess neither can I.
Aw, baby. Baby, baby.
Okay.
So we got this thing
in the Marines.
It's called a SMEAC, all right?
Stands for "situation,"
"mission," "execution,"
"administration" and "command."
It's a way to break down
a problem real simple.
Okay.
So, what's the situation?
-I'm knocked up.
-Okay. Okay.
So, what's the mission?
What do you want to do about it?
I want to give it to a couple
that wants to have a baby.
Okay, so that's the mission.
Okay. Now you got to execute.
You got to have the kid.
I already called the
Adoption Information Center,
and there's a potential couple
that could assist
in medical bills and all that.
Okay, so you already took care
of the "A" for administration.
That just leaves command.
So, who do you want to be
in charge of all this,
you know, helping you?
My mom.
Whenever Mike would run off
to his AA meetings, I...
I was always
pretty ugly about it.
Like, why can't you just
deal with your problems
without all the talking?
Mike can talk.
And I can talk, too,
and I talk a lot.
Sometimes I talk so much
I don't even know
what I'm saying half the time.
Yeah, and the thoughts,
they just, like,
go around in my head.
Spin around all the time.
That's where the singing helped.
And something happened when I...
would sing Patsy Cline songs,
like...
Like, I'd...
just disappear, you know?
In the music.
Yeah.
Yeah, I'd just...
disappear.
Yeah.
I mean, the accident
took my leg,
but I shouldn't have let it
take my singing away.
That's mine.
All mine.
Good night, Mom.
Mm, good night, sweetheart.
-Love you.
-Okay. Love you, too.
Good night, kiddo.
-Love you.
-Love you.
-Good night.
-Night.
I made a pot of coffee.
You want some?
No, thank you.
You want to watch a show?
I don't know.
Unless you do.
When do you go back to work?
I start back
at the shop tomorrow.
Well, what about karaoke?
Claire, we-we just got home.
I'm tired.
I-I'm just asking
a question, Mike.
No, no, you're getting ready
to argue.
And, you know, I just
don't know what's okay to say
and not to say
since you went to that place.
Well, if you have any questions,
I can answer them for you.
I...
I didn't get a lobotomy.
Not yet.
Well...
Well, I'm not doing
the karaoke thing
'cause, uh, I'm, uh...
well, I'm not doing
Lightning anymore.
That's o... that's over.
Lightning is, uh...
It's just nothing without you.
It's...
If you're not gonna be there
with me, I got no...
I got...
I got no song to sing. I got...
I got nothing.
Honey. Oh, Mike.
It's okay.
Oh, honey. Breathe, honey.
I-I...
I've been doing
a lot of talking, you know,
-like you do at your meetings.
-Yeah.
And I've been figuring
things out in my head.
I think that the struggle
with my prosthetic...
I think it was more
in my head than my leg.
I felt hurt and-and-and ugly.
And, like, I had all this anger
inside of me and fear,
and it just cracked.
Now, look,
the folks at the hospital,
they talk about having
an emotional catharsis.
It's like where you let
everything go
and just move forward.
I don't think I've had that yet,
'cause everything still feels
very scary for me.
You know, walking and standing.
Singing.
But maybe if you're
there with me...
...I can have that catharsis.
Okay.
Holly holy...
Thank y'all for coming out here
tonight to Charm Thai.
Uh, we got a great night
here for you,
and don't forget, we, uh...
we do karaoke night
on Friday night,
Saturday night, Sunday night.
I've seen you here.
It's a lot of fun.
And, uh, well, there's also
the all-you-can-eat buffet
Monday to Friday.
But, uh, tonight
I got something, uh...
Wow, we got something special.
My name is Lightning.
This is my lovely wife Thunder.
And tonight,
we're gonna sing for you.
Holly holy
Holly holy dream
Wanting only you
He's good.
And she comes
And I run
Just like the wind will
Holly holy
-Sing
-Sing a song
Sing
Sing a song of songs
-Sing
-Sing it out
-Sing it strong
-Sing, sing
Sing, sing, yeah...
Nice. Nice, baby.
You're doing great.
You're doing great.
Call the sun
in the dead of the night
-Call the sun
-And the sun's gonna rise
In the sky...
-Does it hurt?
-Yeah.
Okay.
Touch a man
who can't walk upright
-Touch a man
-And that lame man
He's gonna fly
-Why don't we stop?
-Okay.
-We stop?
-No, let's keep going.
-You sure?
-One more block. Yep.
-And I fly
-Fly
Holly holy love
Take the lonely child
And the seed
Let it be filled
with tomorrow
Holly holy
-Sing
-The words of Neil Diamond
bid you to make
a beautiful noise, Charm Thai.
Sing
Are you ready to sing?
Are you ready to sing?
-Yes!
-Sing
-Are you ready to sing?
-Yes!
Come on!
-Sing a song
-Sing
Sing
-Sing, sing
-Clap your hands with me.
-Come on!
-Yeah
Yeah
Somechai, take the mic.
Call the sun
in the dead of the night
-Call the sun
-And the sun
Gonna rise in the sky
Touch a man
who can't walk upright
-Touch a man
-And that lame man
He gonna fly
-And I fly, yeah
-Fly
-And I fly
-Fly
Holly holy dream
Dream of only you
Holly holy sun
Holly holy rain
Holly holy love.
Claire.
Babe, baby, you all right?
I... I-I don't know
what happened.
I just... I lost control.
I-I hope you're ok...
I... I...
I-I mean, don't you see?
Lightning can
strike the same place twice.
Oh. Oh.
It's-it's okay.
I just...
Look. All this music.
All this life.
And here's my accident.
-Mm-hmm.
-And then...
-nothing.
-I see. I see.
What-what are you getting at?
I want these boxes
filled up again.
Bad things happen over and over.
And I just want to sing,
and I want to shine
before another car runs into me.
The car's not gonna run in...
Oh, God, it's like
they're aiming for me, Mike.
Come on.
I am not afraid anymore.
I want to be Thunder again.
I know, I know...
I've been a little out of it
and I'm a little rusty,
but I'm here to be mom again
and a wife and a partner.
So, you know, what have I
missed these last few months?
What do I need to know?
You want to tell her or me?
And then slight stretch...
I thought love was
Only true in fairy tales
Meant for someone else
but not for me
Love was out to get me
Na-na-na, na-na...
-Hi.
-Morning, Claire.
Disappointment haunted
all my dreams...
One, two, three, four, five.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God, he's coming.
Not a trace...
-Hi. Aw.
-Hi.
I'm in love
Mmm
And I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her
if I tried
Hey!
Love was out to get me
Do-da, da-da
That's the way it seemed
Do-da, da-da
Disappointment haunted
all my dreams
Then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
And not a trace
Of doubt in my mind
-I'm in love
-Mmm
And I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her
if I tried
We're here today
joined by two local legends
staging the comeback
of their careers.
The universe sent two cars
to k*ll me,
uh, but I'm still standing,
even if it's on one leg.
-I'm in love
-Mmm
And I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her
if I tried.
Yes!
I am a believer!
Mike, Claire,
I want you to meet
my friend Buddy Holmes.
-Hey. -He's event coordinator
here at the Ritz.
-Hi.
-Buddy.
-Thank you both for coming.
-Claire.
You've been getting a lot
of press with your comeback.
Yeah, we never really left.
That's why I wanted to talk
to you about playing here.
Uh...
Oh, are we gonna open
for Pearl Jam again?
No, you'd be the headliner.
It'd be on a Wednesday night
three weeks from now.
That'll give us just enough time
to get the word out,
sell some tickets.
Uh, sorry, you expect us to
fill this place on a Wednesday?
Oh, we'll make it work, Mike.
We'll make it work.
We know what you mean
to Milwaukee.
Hey, dreaming it is one thing,
but, you know,
we're not fools, Buddy.
Mike, don't you know
what's happening in three weeks
on a Wednesday night?
-What? What? What's happening?
-Neil Diamond.
Neil Diamond.
He's playing a sold-out show
at the Wisconsin Center Arena.
We want to be
the counterprogramming
to that event.
Those who can't see Neil Diamond
see the next best thing.
Could we just take a second?
One moment.
Babe, I don't know
if we're ready for this.
-Oh.
-I mean...
I think you are.
I know I am.
We're gonna need a choir.
Sex Machine is the
choir director at his church.
Great, and timpani.
You know, the big drums?
What would you need timpani for?
I'll get the timpani, Mike.
I'll get the timpani.
Especially because
we're opening with "Soolaimon."
"Solomon"?
"Soolaimon."
Okay, so remember
Rachel's gonna pick us up,
but I think I want to go
with Johnny to get
-a head start on my hair.
-Are you nervous?
No, actually, I'm not.
But maybe I will right before
the show. What about you?
I just hope people come, babe.
-Hey.
-Mike!
-Oh, hey.
-Go ahead. You talk.
Okay, okay, okay.
I know the event coordinator
at the Wisconsin Center.
He was at your wedding.
You know, big guy.
-He had a big red beard.
-Good Lord.
Mike, you are going to meet
Neil Diamond tonight.
I-I was gonna get to that.
Oh, my God.
-What do you mean?
-What?
He's gonna meet the two of you
at Lake Front Frozen Custard
after the show.
He's gonna drop in with his bus.
He loves their frozen custard.
What are you gonna say
to him, Dad?
Hopefully nothing dumb.
Oh, no, don't be silly.
It's just two musicians
after their show.
Uh, both sold-out shows.
We're sold out?
-It sold out? Sold out?
-Sold out.
Yeah, we sold out.
Now I'm nervous.
This is a huge win for you.
You earned this, Mike.
You earned it.
He did. I'm so happy.
-Are you crying?
-I'm just so happy.
Are you crying? I love you.
-I'm so happy for you.
-Come here.
I'm so happy, too.
All right, get out of here.
Go, go, go.
-We'll see you over there.
-I'll-I'll see you there.
-I'm going with Rachel.
-Congratulations.
-Okay. Okay.
-This is gonna be great.
Come on, we've got things to do.
-Why do you do that?
-Oh, my...
Mr. Diamond...
Or Neil. Can I...
Can I call you Neil?
You know, there's a certain way
that you sing "touching."
I mean, you must know
what I mean.
Of course you know
what I mean. It's you.
Touching me, touching you.
It's so good. I mean, it's just
a small thing, but, like...
Touching...
Oh!
Okay.
Papa?
I'm getting dressed.
Uh, Angelina had some friends
she wanted to bring tonight,
but I guess it's sold out.
Uh, yeah, no, no. We, uh...
We've got that handled.
Hey, I'm going to, uh...
I'm gonna meet Neil Diamond
tonight.
-Are you serious?
-Yeah.
Wow.
First, Eddie Vedder,
and now Neil Diamond.
You think you could hook me up
with Christian Slater?
Papa?
Papa, you all right?
I'm huge, baby.
Hey, Dad.
Hey, darling.
Oh, I'm so glad you're here.
Oh, I wouldn't miss this.
Grandma.
Hey, uh, just to warn you,
the seats we got reserved
are right up front.
-It may get loud.
-I'm half deaf anyway,
so I'll be fine.
Have a great show tonight, Mike.
-Thanks. -Okay, Lightning,
five minutes. Five minutes!
-Places, everybody, places!
-Ooh, five minutes. Okay.
-All right.
-Hey. Wait, give me a kiss.
-Give me a kiss.
-Oh, all right.
So, any last-minute
words of advice
or encouragement
from my two girls?
Yeah.
Play "Sweet Caroline," okay?
You two always know what to do.
You're not afraid
of the lift at all?
Oh, no, I just
got to stand there.
-Okay.
-Okay.
Mm.
Hey, Claire.
I can't thank Neil
'cause every thank-you I got
belongs to you, doll.
You're my August Night,
you're my "September Morn,"
you're my "Heartlight,"
and you're my
"Cracklin' Rosie," you got me?
I'll see you onstage.
Huh!
-I woke up this morning
-Yeah!
And the sun
was shining bright
I said,
I woke up this morning
-Yeah!
-And the sun
Was shining bright
-Whoo!
-Yeah!
I called the weatherman,
I said, "Weatherman
"How can there be no rain
when all I see and hear is
Lightning & Thunder?"
-Yes!
-Cue back light.
Cue back light. Reel it in.
There you go. Bring it up.
Good evening, Milwaukee!
Go, Mom!
Welcome to those who yearn
to dance in the glow of glory.
Our friends, our fans, family,
those who could not get
Neil Diamond tickets.
Stand by.
Because tonight, we make
our own beautiful noise.
Cue the lift.
Yes, Dad!
Cue the fans.
Come here, come say
Ride
On the night
Sun become day
Day
Shall provide
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
God of my want, want, want
Lord of my need, need, need
Leading me on, on, on
On to my woman,
she dance for the sun
Lord of my day, day, day
God of my night,
night, night
Seek for the way, way, way
Taking me home
She callin'
I love you, Milwaukee!
Bring home my name
On
The wings of a flea
Wind in the plains
Dance
Once for me
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
Soo, soolaimon
Soolai, soolai, soolaimon
You know the words!
Let me hear you!
God of my want, want, want
Lord of my need, need, need
Leading me on, on, on
On to my woman,
she dance for the sun
God of my day, day, day
Lord of my night,
night, night
Seek for the way, way, way
Taking me home
Help me. Help me.
Help me, brothers and sisters,
and the itty-bitty children,
Black and white,
rich and poor, great and small.
All God's children, sing,
"Hallelujah!"
Hallelujah
Halle, hallelujah
Hallelujah
Halle, hallelujah...
And the good Lord
gave us two hands.
One hand for the giving,
one hand for the taking.
And when your brother is hungry
and he ain't got what to eat,
and when he is tired and he
ain't got no place to sleep,
and when his heart is aching
and it is full of pain,
who's gonna cry with him,
brothers?
Who's gonna cry with him?
You take your hand,
you put it out to him
and you say to him,
"That's what it's there for."
Take my hand, sweet Lord
Walk with me this day
In my heart I know
I will never stray
Halle, halle, halle, halle
Halle, halle, halle
It's Love, Brother Love say
Brother Love's
Travelling Salvation Show
Pack up the babies
and grab the old ladies
And everyone goes,
everyone knows
Brother Love's show
God of my want
Oh, God of my want
Lord of my need
Hey, the Lord of my need
Taking me home
Take me home...
Yeah!
-They're back. They're back.
-Yeah.
Do you remember when we saw
Springsteen in-in East Troy?
Oh, my God, you saw Bruce?
-I love him so much.
-Where was that?
-Where was that?
-Uh,
Alpine Valley Music Theater.
You were a kid in grade school.
But he played
for like two extra hours
and everyone was freaking out
and dancing on the lawn.
That was this. That was this.
Me and Bruce.
You know, I got to say--
and I don't mean any disrespect
to Mr. Eddie Vedder...
Uh-oh. Be careful, Mom.
I think tonight we were
just as big as Pearl Jam.
Well, it's a whole nother crowd.
No, I got to say, our fans are
just as big and just as loud.
Oh.
Word must have got out, Papa.
Oh, my God!
Sweet Caroline
Good times never
seemed so good...
Aw. Are you good? Are you ready?
I'm huge, baby.
To believe
they never would...
Hi.
Hi.
Claire. Claire.
Neil just finished his show.
He's on the bus.
-Oh, great.
-He's on his way.
Come on, Mike. Come on.
Come on.
Mike, come on.
Mike?
Mike.
Mike. Mike.
Mike. Mike. Mike.
Mike!
This is hard.
I'm not good
at writing speeches.
But...
I guess I've never written one.
So it'll be perfect.
"You two always know
what to do."
Why did he say that?
It's like...
I feel like I don't know
how to do anything.
Except patch
a leaky car radiator.
Come here.
Maybe he wasn't wrong about us.
He wasn't.
You look nice.
Aw, thank you.
Sometimes I forget
about your leg.
Yeah.
Me, too, and then I take a step.
You don't have to sing today.
Somebody else can do it
if it's too much for you.
I know.
But it's something I have to do.
Not just for Mike.
Hi.
This is gonna be hard.
Every time, um,
we would play a gig,
everyone wants to hear
"Sweet Caroline," and...
Mike would get so mad.
He believed there was
so much more
to Neil Diamond's music.
So many more songs.
And there was more to Mike
than being Lightning.
Uh, he was a soldier...
...a father...
...a friend.
He was the love of my life.
And really, I'm standing here
because of him.
So...
...in his honor,
I'm gonna get myself
together...
...and I'm gonna sing a song.
A Neil Diamond song
that's not as well-known
as "Sweet Caroline."
But Mike...
It's beautiful.
I've seen the light
And I've seen the flame
And I've seen
Your eyes before
And I'm sure to see
your eyes again
Once again
For I've been released
And I've been regained
And I've sung
My song before
And I'm sure to sing
my song again
Once again
Some people got to laugh
Some people got to cry
Some people
Got to make it through
By never wondering
Why
And some people got to sing
And some people got to sigh
Some people
Never see the light
Until the day
They die
But I've been released
And I've been regained
And I've been
This way before
And I'm sure to be
this way again
Once again
One more time again
Just one more time.
All right.
Dana, you all right? You got it?
-I got you.
-You sure?
Are you sure?
-Positive.
-Are you positive?
-I'm positive.
-Have you got me?
Have you got me, Dana?
-We got you.
-I can see you.
-I can see you, too.
-I got my eye on you.
All right, we're rolling.
All right. Hey, everybody.
My name is Mike,
and I'm an alcoholic.
-Uh...
-Hello, Mike.
Today is my 22nd sober birthday,
but I can't be with you
here today
because, uh...
...well, we're getting ready
for our big comeback,
uh, Thunder and me,
and it's, uh...
it's real exciting and, uh...
You know what? Before I sing,
I just want to tell you
something.
We're all here doing
the best we can, right?
Very, very best.
And if we can just look out
for each other
and be strong
and above all be grateful,
maybe we can just...
I don't know,
we can turn things around,
we can make the world
a better place.
What do you say?
All right?
Anyway...
This is not a sad song
A sad song to sing
when you're alone
No, no.
In a way, it's a glad song
Yeah, a glad song
A simple tune that simply
seems to make you feel good
-Hey, Mom.
-When you sing along
Come on. Sing along.
I know it's early.
Song sung blue
Everybody knows one
"Every garden grows one."
Song sung blue
Every garden grows one
All right. I'm ready.
Me and you
-Uh...
-Are subject to
The blues now and then
All clear.
When you take the blues
and make a song
You sing them out again
You sing 'em out again
I can hear you.
Sounds real good. Come on, now.
Song sung blue
Weeping like a willow
"Sleeping on my pillow."
Song sung blue
Sleeping on my pillow
It's a funny thing.
Funny thing
But you can sing it
with a cry in your voice
Right?
And before you know it
get to feeling good
Beauty and color.
You simply got no choice
Song sung blue
Song sung blue.
Thank you, and good night.
Mmm
I got a song been on my mind
And the tune can be sung
and the words all rhyme
Though it don't say much
and it won't offend
If you sing it at school
They're liable
to send you home
Never knowin'
what you're showin'
Think you're growin'
your own tea
Good Lordy
Yeah!
Let me hear that,
get me near that
Crunchy Granola Suite
Drop your shrink
and stop your drinkin'
Crunchy granola's neat
Sing it out
All right
Heh, heh
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Come on!
Holly holy eyes
Dream of only me
Where I am, what I am
What I believe in
Holly holy
Holly holy dream
Wanting only you
And she comes
And I run
just like the wind will
Holly holy
-Sing
-Sing a song
-Sing
-Sing a song of songs
-Sing
-Sing it out
-Sing it strong
-Sing, sing
Sing, sing
Yeah
Yeah
Call the sun
in the dead of the night
-Call the sun
-And the sun's gonna
Rise in the sky
Touch a man
who can't walk upright
-Touch a man
-And that lame man
He's gonna fly
And I fly
Fly
-And I fly
-Fly
Holly holy dream
Dream of only you
Holly holy sun
Holly holy rain
Holly holy love.
Money talks
But it don't sing and dance
and it don't walk
Long as I can have you
here with me
I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans
Honey's sweet
But it ain't nothin'
next to baby's treat
If you'll pardon me,
I'd like to say
We'd do okay
Forever in blue jeans
Maybe tonight
Maybe tonight by the fire
All alone, you and I
Nothing around
but the sound of my heart
And your sighs
Money talks
But it don't sing and dance
and it don't walk
As long as I can have you
here with me
I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans, babe
Money talks
But it don't sing and dance
and it don't walk
As long as I can have you
here with me
I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans, babe.
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Song Sung Blue (2025)
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