Overview
- Asked about Michael Sardina Jr. calling the film "all lies" and labeling her and Hugh Jackman "monsters," Hudson told The Hollywood Reporter she is not the right person to address the matter and emphasized that Claire Sardina supports the movie.
- Michael Sardina Jr. claims he was paid to consult yet was left out of the narrative and alleges the film distorts his late father’s legacy, a contention not echoed by Claire.
- Director Craig Brewer says multiple studios initially passed on the project over concerns audiences would not embrace its Midwestern subjects before Focus Features and Universal backed the film, which is now in theaters following its Dec. 25 release.
- Fresh reviews published Friday praise Hudson’s live-sung, career-best turn and Jackman’s performance while noting some tonal excesses, and Hudson has secured a Golden Globe nomination.
- Demi Moore hosted a Jan. 7 Los Angeles screening attended by high-profile supporters and shared a personal "Neil Diamond Day" anecdote about Bruce Willis, underscoring the film’s ongoing awards-campaign visibility.