Dread Zeppelin, Amy Housewine, No Way Sis, Bjorn Again and Abbatoir, are just a few of the most memorable names of tributes acts.

Tributes acts can be seen one of two ways: it’s a way for musically-limited types to use the work of established works in order to make a buck or two; or a way of them embracing the passion they have for an artist, and share with other fans of them.

This is a musical biopic, but an unusual one, putting one such tribute act in the spotlight.

Supposedly performing at the Wisconsin fair is Mike (Hugh Jackman). However, he’s not interested in singing songs of the artist he’s been asked to sing by the organiser, and decides to pull out. It’s not an entire washout however, as he meets Patsy Kline tribute artist Clare (Kate Hudson) there.

There’s a connection between the two, With Clare willing to support Mike’s dream, for his on stage persona Lightning, to not mimic but interpret the work of Neil Diamond.

But Mike is so impressed with her talent, he wants her up on stage with him too, and together they become Lightning and Thunder.

They are a popular duo, but neither of them could predict the rocky road ahead for them both.

Although it’s a nice twist for director Craig Brewer to create a musical biopic on a ‘successful’ tribute act - well, they were big in Wisconsin at least – there is just too much focus on the music of Neil Diamond, with many of his songs performed in full. Now most music biopics contain some bangers; just look at 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, that even if you aren’t a Queen fan, they have dominated the airwaves so you are bound to have heard them countless times on the radio (remember them?). Unfortunately, unless you’re a die-hard Neil Diamond fan, of which there are probably a handful around the world, you are likely to know only one of his songs, ‘Sweet Caroline’, which ironically isn’t even sung in the film.

So as well sung as the other songs featured undoubtedly are, thanks to the vocal talents of Jackman and Hudson who deliver great performances, having fairly obscure songs played in full is just too self indulgent, making the film unbearably long.

This has a knock on effect on a truly fascinating real life story, sadly taking the shine off their endeavours.

They deserved a much tighter (i.e. shorter) film, and the director should have done the decent thing and just done short montages of the many dreary ‘hits’, so the pace was more energetic throughout.

Sadly it just goes to show that good times never seemed so distant.