Duets Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Six lost souls in search of a little harmony.
Just Duet
Duets is a road-trip comedy which revolves around the little known world of karaoke and the whimsical characters who inhabit it. There's the struggling singer who dreams of making it to the big time, a frustrated salesman who ends up on an unexpected road trip, the dysfunctional family performers which includes a con-artist (Huey Lewis) and his long lost daughter, and an escaped convict (Andre Braugher) with the voice of an angel. All roads lead to Omaha, site of a national karaoke competition where this motley group of singers and stars come together for a blow-out sing-off.
| Maria Bello | Suzi Loomis |
| Andre Braugher | Reggie Kane |
| Paul Giamatti | Todd Woods |
| Huey Lewis | Ricky Dean |
| Gwyneth Paltrow | Liv |
| Scott Speedman | Billy Hannan |
| Lochlyn Munro | Ronny Jackson |
| Carol Alexander | Beth, Tulsa Hostess |
| Michael Rogers | Earl, Tulsa Bartender |
| Amanda Kravat | Tulsa Redhead |
| John Payne | Houston Sales Guy |
| Tom Bougers | Cincinnati Desk Sergeant |
| Marian Seldes | Harriet Gahagan |
| Bruce Paltrow |
5.80 out of 10 (2767 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Disappointingly Hollow
posted on 16 Aug 2009Given Karaoke's worldwide popularity over the last ten years it is more than a little surprising that it has taken Hollywood Executives so long to cash in on the phenomena. It is perhaps doubly disappointing then that after more than five years in pre-production all they have managed to come up with is this relatively mediocre road-trip movie which exalts Karaoke's power to change people's lives for the better. Directed by Gwyneth Paltrow's father Duets tells the story of six desperately unhappy individuals who decide to cast off the shackles of their pre-determined lives and look for something better. The metaphor for all this we are assured is Karaoke: the courage to stand up, sing up and be heard.Taking a big leaf out of the Robert Altman book of filmmaking Bruce Paltrow has chosen to split Duets into three separate storylines: There's the story of Liz (Gwyneth Paltrow) an unbelievably naive Vegas showgirl who has to learn to build a relationship with her long-lost hustler father Ricky (Huey Lewis) after meeting him for the first time at her mother's funeral. Then there's the tale of Suzi (Maria Bello), a streetwise hussy who will do anything to make it big and Billy (Scott Speedman) a down-on-his-luck taxi driver she convinces to drive her halfway across the country in search of stardom at any cost. And last, but by no means least, there's the hilarious story of Todd (Paul Giamatti) a burned out travelling salesman on the edge of a nervous breakdown and his unlikely friendship with Reggie (Andre Braugher) an escaped convict with the voice of an angel and a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. Inevitably all involved wind up crossing paths in Omaha, where a big Karaoke Contest is offering a Grand Prize. The question is who will win and unlike many films of this elk one is never really sure.All six principle actors turn in better than average performances and all except Braugher, who couldn't reach some of the higher notes, sing unaided. The chemistry between Paltrow and 80s pop star Lewis works well with Paltrow more than holding her own on the musical front. Relative newcomers Bello and Speedman also do well, both showing signs that suggest we'll be seeing a lot more of them in the future. But the film's spotlight is taken by the fantastic pairing of Giamatti and Braugher. At first their characters appear to be too at odds to ever really hit it off, but as the movie progresses it soon becomes clear that they share a deep affinity, they both know what it is like to have lived in a cage, Braugher in prison and Giamatti in middle-class suburbia. Places neither of them ever want to return.Considering this is Bruce Paltrow's first major film Duets has turned out surprisingly well. The direction is relatively unobtrusive and the stories that unfold are often amusing, sometimes compelling and always entertaining. Indeed, the one scene in which Giamatti and Braugher offer their rendition of Ottis Reading's Try a Little Tenderness is truly spell bounding and well worth the price of admission alone.However, Paltrow's clear favouritism for certain characters over others and the fact that the performances of Giamatti and Braugher are light years ahead of the rest means that the film often seems unbalanced and a little disjointed, kind of like a duet between Jane MacDonald and Madonna. And like so much American cinema today Duets suffers badly from an overly sentimental ending. One leaves Duets feeling more than a little betrayed and thankful that this kind of world exists far outside the realms of possibility, at least in England.
Giving karaoke a black eye is the least of this film's problems
posted on 03 Jun 2009DUETS (2000) *1/2 Gwyneth Paltrow, Huey Lewis, Paul Giamatti, Andre Braugher, Maria Bello, Scott Speedman, Angie Dickinson.(Dir: Bruce Paltrow) Egregiously awful comedy/drama about the wonderful world of karaoke that fixates on six people (or 2 pairs): estranged daughter and free-styling hustler father (Paltrow – who here comes across as an oversized 12 year old borderline simpleton and Lewis, who actually is the only one here who acquits himself here nicely); fed up traveling salesman and recently released prisoner (Giamatti over-the-top and looking like he'd been through the proverbial wringer and Braugher, who wisely is staying back on tv); and slutty Bello and nice-guy/loser philosophical cabbie Speedman – all coming to a contest to display their 'talents'. Badly conceived pell-mell of 'comic moments' and unexpected melodrama (i.e. Giamatti's criminal tendencies) do not mix well at all and the editing to say the least is terrible. Noteworthy in only the fact that Gwyneth wanted this – her pet project if you will – to team up with her father, Bruce, who directed this mess
* * out of 4.
posted on 26 May 2009A group of people find themselves while traveling to a karaoke championship with a top prize of $5000. Gwyneth Paltrow's dad directed this film, but there really is not much in the way in insight or characterization. In it's place is some really fine singing and interesting casting choices. Gwyneth Paltrow shines as usual (in a poorly written role) and has an impressive singing voice. Rated R.
Another chick flick... NO?
posted on 12 May 2009Hey! I thought when we saw this film, "oh God, another chick flick!" But how mistaken was I? This was a delightfully enjoyable and thoroughly watchable film with some big and small names, and tons of talent.Everybody in this film pulled their weight and made this a sleeping hit.In fact, the big name that was the draw was Gwyneth Paltrow (whos daddy was the man behind the making of this film), was the weakest player in my opinion. Her portrayal of an aloof (forgive this word), "retard," (not mentally handicapped, just simply goofy!) was enough to make any viewer rolltheir eyes. But, she IS eye candy and DID fill a place in the film that was necessary to the overall story (hey, it could've been real life retard Juliette Lewis for crimminy sake!).I must say though, that character actor Paul Giamatti exploded with his talent in this film. His portrayal of an awakened corporate clutz is memorable. And Maria Bello (from ER fame) is so dangnabbed hot in this film that it is worth it just to watch her!All in all, this ain't no Taxi Driver and it ain't no Kane, but ifyou're into a silly, happy, boy-meets-girl tragically hip fun flick, then this is a sure win.I was again, delightfully surprised!Thanks and peace out!Fizz
Maybe I'm Retarded, but...
posted on 22 Apr 2009I thought this movie was great. I saw it at a screening with a packed audience before the reviews were written. Everyone was so in love with this movie! No lie. As thin as the subject matter seems, I honestly have had few experiences like this with an audience. Paul Giamati was terrific. And, Gwyneth Paltrow did something leading ladies of her peer group never do. She was a character and she wasn't necessarily the person you were supposed to respect or be attracted to and I thought that was pretty brave.
Dear oh dear oh dear
posted on 16 Apr 2009Not only does Gwen have a flat voice, but she's "acting" like a terminally stupid teenager who WANTS Huey Lewis as her Dad!!! About as engaging as a boil on the bum-you sit there watching it until it goes; and when it does your life is so much better. Spend this two hours on something worthwhile, don't waste it here!
surprisingly well-done
posted on 21 Nov 2008i wasnt too sure if i wanted to see this movie, as the thought of hearing gwenyth paltrow sing was enough to make me gag. it was my newfound interest in scott speedman that made me rent it, and i was so shocked! i was so impressed with the story, the acting, the singing (i regret my former opinion of gwenyth-what an amazing voice!!), everything! andre braugher and paul giamatti (in my opinion) definitely had the best on-screen chemistry ive seen in a long, long, long time. i cant even express how moving it was to hear the two of them singing otis redding's "try a little tenderness", and then andre braugher singing his final song...perfection!! the only disappointment was huey lewis and gwenyth paltrow's story line, which was completely inadequate, considering they were meant to be the main story line. maria bello was neurotic at its best (which she is great at doing), andscott speedman was adorably and beautifully naive and innocent, pulling it off without a hitch. i have to say i was so surprised that i enjoyed this movie, and even if you watch it and dont like it, i know that you'll at least fall for the music...who doesnt love a little redding?
Sweet and unpretentious, with some good performances - and one great one
posted on 11 Nov 2008I watched this for the second time last night, and liked it even more than I had first time round. I *like* the fact that this film isn't particularly ambitious, that it doesn't have big stars, that it's unassuming. These are all virtues in my book, provided that the film tells its story and brings you its characters effectively.I'd forgotten how many great lines there are in this film, many of them given to Maria Bello, whose brassy performance was a lot of fun - although I wasn't sure about her singing: she hits all the notes, but there's virtually no sustain. Odd, that. Anyway, Gwyneth P sings very sweetly, and shows her unselfish approach to her craft. For someone so famous, she is a real team player - In addition to her Oscar winning part, check out her strong performances in ensemble pieces like Sidney (aka Hard Eight) and The Royal Tenenbaums.It's already been said here that the scenes involving Andre Braugher and Paul Giametti are the best in the film; I'd agree, and go further and say that Giametti's performance is verging on great: I've seen few actors convey someone on the verge of a nervous breakdown so convincingly, steering the treacherous path between "I shout a lot to signify I'm going through a transition" and "Look at me, I'm a teapot". He really does seem like a man on the edge, and the scenes with his wife pack a real emotional punch. And his singing is terrific: my personal favourite was his gradually-loosening-up take on Hello It's Me.No quibbling about Andre Braugher's performance, though: it *is* great. I'd never seen him before, not having seen Glory or Homicide. I found his playing immensely touching: shepherding a man cracking up, the escaped convict becomes a wise man, friend and protector, and Braugher conveys all this with gravitas and a wry world-weariness. In all seriousness, I think this performance was worthy of an Oscar for best supporting actor, at the very least a nomination. And his voice? Wow!Duets is not perfect, and doesn't set out (one imagines) to break box-office records in its first weekend. It is a solid, well-made ensemble piece with a clutch of fine performances and some lively singing. I'd quite happily buy this on DVD and watch it again.
"Duets," like karaoke, is a pale imitation of the real thing.
posted on 28 Oct 2008The duets in "Duets" are the three couples who come together in this quasi-musical, quasi-comedy, quasi-drama and quasi-decent movie; a con artist (Huey Lewis) and his long-lost daughter (Gwyneth Paltrow), a two-timed cab driver (Scott Speedman) and an ambitious singer (Maria Bello), and a disillusioned salesman (Paul Giamatti) and the ex-convict he picks up on his journey (Andre Braugher).The latter duo make by far the best music for anyone watching the movie; individually and together Giamatti and Braugher are so compelling that "Duets" loses focus and steam whenever it switches the attention to any other plotlines on the journey to Omaha, the closest this movie comes to Mecca - singing is in one way or another a key part of the couples' lives (Braugher admits the only thing he knows how to do is sing, and Lewis uses karaoke contests in his hustling), and they're all converging on a big karaoke contest with a prize of $5000. The trouble is that while writer John Byrum and director Bruce Paltrow never try to mythologize karaoke, the movie never really seems to have a point (not unlike karaoke, really), and although Bello's free-living tart with a heart and a dream has her moments of sparkiness - "It would be an honour and a privilege for me to suck your d---" - it's hard to get really worked up about any of them, excepting the Giamatti/Braugher team again.Overall, it's decently acted - although the usually fine Gwyneth seems too aware of her miscasting (perhaps because her real-life father's directing her for the first time onscreen) - but "Duets" only really comes to life in the karaoke scenes. It helps that the principal cast (barring Scott Speedman, the only one of the six who never sings a note) isn't unlistenable; though Bello's take on "Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This" won't cause Annie Lennox to look to her laurels, the Giamatti/Braugher duet on "Try A Little Tenderness" is a standout, and Gorgeous Gwynnie displays quite a nice touch on her three numbers ("Bette Davis Eyes," a duet with her screen dad on "Cruising," and another one with Babyface over the closing credits). She's no Will Young or Gareth Gates*... thank heaven. My favourite number, though, is Maya Rudolph's rendition of "Hit Me With Your Best Shot."In accordance with the man who created "The White Shadow" and worked on "St. Elsewhere," "Duets" is too competently done to be unwatchable, but it hits too many bum notes to be in perfect harmony for most audiences. Worth a look for fans of the cast, however - and Lewis fulfils all the promise he displayed in "Back to the Future" (and yes, I know he was in "Short Cuts," but I haven't seen it).*The winner and runner-up respectively of the original UK "Pop Idol." They are appalling, and also have worse legs than Gwyneth.
Ditto on "Better than your average karaoke road movie"
posted on 16 Sep 2008I would just like to whole-heartedly agree with the excellent comment previously written by JoeytheBrit. The movie certainly deserves a better than average rating and is definitely worth the cost of rental. I thoroughly enjoyed it - twice. Both the multiple story lines and the karaoke songs make this movie a hit. The creative interplay of actors singing and singers acting gives this movie an intriguing twist. Additionally, the acting and singing is uplifting. My personal favorites were the relationships between Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow, and Paul Giamatti and Andre Braugher. Coincidently, the songs that these two duets sing are also my two favorites in the movie - "Cruisin'" and "Free Bird."
Gweyneth Paltrow can sing
posted on 08 Sep 2008An original (non-formula) American story with quirky and diverse characters. Nothing about the film is outstanding. However, it is amazing how well everyone sings and seems to be liberated by the experience. It made me want to go out to a Karioke bar myself. In addition to her amazing acting (not so much in this film), Ms. Paltrow can sing as well as Huey Lewis (sorry Huey).
Love this movie!!!
posted on 21 Aug 2008My husband and I love this movie and have watched it several times. I think it got a bad rap with the previews and posters that were released when it was a coming attraction because they made it look like Huey Lewis and Gwnyth Paltrow were an item rather than father and daughter.The movie is funny, droll, sad, encouraging and just flat out wonderful and we have repeatedly recommended to anyone who willing to listen to our opinion. The singing is amazing ... we bought the CD and play it all the time. If you like Huey Lewis or Baby Face or anything MOTown ... listen to the music featured in this movie. Definitely a MUST SEE!! If you are still not sure ... rent a copy.
Not great, but entertaining – and well worth it to see Braugher and Giamatti in action
posted on 20 Jul 2008Bruce Paltrow's film "Duets" basically centers on the relationships of vastly different people who all end up at a karaoke contest in Omaha. Liv (Paltrow) meets her dad Ricky (Lewis) for the first time at her mother's funeral. Ricky is a "karaoke hustler", a guy who walks into various competitions and not only wins the cash prize, but manages to get a sucker to bet on which of them is going to win. Ricky reluctantly lets Liv tag along with him on the circuit, and along with singing herself, she also tries to forge a relationship with her father. Todd (Giamatti) is a salesman who travels most of the year and comes home to a house where his children don't talk to him and his wife would rather spend time online than talk to him after one of his business trips. One day he has a "moment of clarity" and decides to use some of the 800,000 frequent flier miles he has racked up, taking off in his car and driving anywhere but near his home. The first night he gets a room, he walks into a hotel bar and is convinced to get up on stage for their karaoke night, where he finds he loves the freedom it allows and the attention it garners him. Along the way on his trek, he picks up a hitchhiker named Reggie (Braugher) a recent parolee with the voice of an angel, and the two strike up a very close friendship despite (or possibly because of) their many differences. Finally, there is Suzi (Bello), a drifter who travels her way to karaoke contests by eschewing all dignity and selling any part of her she can. At a stopover in Cincinnati, she encounters Billy (Speedman) a former seminary student who is now a gypsy cab driver that just discovered his girlfriend sleeping with his business partner. Bello convinces him to take her to California, but along the way, the lure of the $5,000 purse in Omaha gets the best of her and they make a stop there."Duets" features several story lines, but other than karaoke, they all have one thing in common: They are all unhappy with either their past, their present or the prospect of a bleak or uncertain future. The film really isn't all that good, but there are a couple of good things about it. First and foremost, the chemistry between Giamatti and Braugher is fantastic. Completely casting aside the fact that they are two of my favorite actors, their connection was practically tangible. Hey, who knew Giamatti could sing, too? The rest of the stories were pretty clichéd or just not very compelling at all. I wasn't sure where they were trying to go with the Suzi/Billy arc but it ended up going nowhere for me personally. Huey Lewis, nothing more than a marginally average actor does an okay job in this film, but it obviously isn't much of a stretch for him.If you are not a fan of any of the actors, "Duets" is entertaining enough to sit through and not end up hating yourself afterward. Personally, the film deserves a slight edge because of the Giamatti/Braugher thing, but altogether, it gets a 6/10. In this case I'm rounding up from 5.5 for that edge.--Shelly
Clever and underrated comedy.
posted on 30 Jun 2008Can't figure out why this one gets such low ratings. The dialogue is fresh and quotable. (I would quote Suzi Loomis's comment to the man at the service station, but it's not appropriate for general viewing. Just trust me, it's hilarious.)The actors are also talented and versatile. Gwyneth Paltrow does so many serious roles that it's easy to forget how funny she can be when she wants to. Andre Braugher is great as always, and the rest of the cast keep you thinking "I hope to see them in more movies like this."If you have ever been a singer, a karaoke fan, or just a lover of good music, this movie is a must.
** Avoid!
posted on 31 May 2008Looking for a good musical? Bypass this one quickly! The most boring film of the year is this ensemble piece about a bunch of shallow idiots who are working their way towards a national karaoke contest. Scott Speedman plays the sleepy-eyed trademark cutie pie (a role once marked for Brad Pitt years ago before he and Gwyneth Paltrow broke up) who escorts Maria Pitillo, whose character is probably the worst embarrassment of a loose woman ever shown on screen. Another plot line that follows Paul Giamatti's liberation from his conservative world while freewheeling across the country with an ex-con (Andre Braugher) is so boring I was actually shifting continually in my seat. Paltrow is quite apt in her part as a simpleminded young woman trying to reconnect with the father she never had (Huey Lewis, the worst performance in the film). The songs are all beautifully performed (Paltrow can really sing!), but there's nothing you wouldn't get from just listening to them on the film's soundtrack.
Ode To The Working Class
posted on 29 May 2008I expected a fluff piece from Bruce Paltrow to showcase his beloved Gwyneth. Once you get beyond the Huey Lewis/Gwyneth Paltrow story line, you'll find an amazing performance by Paul Giamatti. It's a breathtaking portrayal of a road weary salesman who fighting to get his identity back. It blew me away!
Way off key
posted on 15 May 2008When somebody mixed chocolate and peanut butter, they invented a great candy bar. Trying to mix the karaoke fad with high drama is just difficult to swallow.This movie tries to inject excitement, dramatic conflict and tension into karaoke, which is nothing more than a fun diversion. Karaoke enthusiasts don't take it or themselves seriously, yet this movie tries to make it something deep and melancholy. It just doesn't work in that context. The film concocts subplots, interweaves them, and somehow stirs them all up together with karaoke as some kind of symbolic catalyst. It introduces characters on their way to a big bucks contest, and casts them into chaotic situations (some even gratuitously violent) along the way.The resulting movie is akin to the worst karaoke singer of all time, who doesn't know all the words, screeching a Madonna hit at the top of their lungs.I like Paul Giamatti, but his mid-life crisis character who is borderline wacko is grossly overstated and out of place. The road trip story with him and a convict just gets more and more contrived and senseless as it progresses. The pairing of Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow as father and daughter provides a wonderful rendition of "Cruisin'," but not much substance for a story. Huey is a "karaoke hustler"(!) If there is such a thing, I haven't seen one in years of karaoke singing. Other characters are dull and forgettable.Ill conceived and recklessly executed, this story is totally out of tune, and overwhelms the film's positive elements. The karaoke contests were fun, with some amusing moments. The actors all really put their best effort here, but are drowned out by a script that is just one big cacophony of pointless noise.A girl I met at a karaoke place and I thought this would be fun to see on our first date. I wish I could have taken a picture of the look on her face as we left the theater. It was the most hilarious expression I ever saw; far more entertaining than this movie was.
Still in Awe!
posted on 01 May 2008I saw this movie this past weekend on video and I still cannot believe it. It is the type of movie that makes you think for days. I have thought for days and I still cannot wrap my mind around the fact that this movie was actually made. I cannot and will not believe, as long as I live, that there is not a more deserving project sitting in a drawer somewhere that could have been made in the place of this trainwreck.Still more puzzling is the fact that the film is so completely out of touch with the karaoke subculture it uses as its touchstone. It is as if the writer came up with this idea in the shower and never bothered to do any research or, (forgive me, I have no proof of this, but I will say it anyway,) even venture out to a karaoke bar.Paul Giamatti is the sole standout as we watch his character become liberated from his prison of upper middle class corporate slavery, only to find that he has entered another prison of self indulgence. It has been said before that karaoke is not about the audience, it is about the singer. Giamatti, and his cohort Andre Braugher, are the only ones to effectively realize this with Giamatti getting so into his role that you honestly do not know what he is going to do next. However, because of the general failure of just about every other conversation and plotline in the film, it is tough to determine if this fascinating role is the result of the writer or the actor. And the strength of Braugher and Giamatti's story only serves to emphasize the tremendous mediocrity going on around it.(Huey Lewis received some praise when the film was released, but I think that is due to the fact that he is completely relaxed on camera. This suits him well when he is boasting about his singing prowess, he is a man who walks into a karaoke bar and just simply knows that he is going to have the best voice. However, he is completely unconnected in almost every other scene in the movie.)Warning: even though I am praising Giamatti's performance, I am not recommending this film. Rent at your own risk. Remember, you only have so much time on this earth.
Too-slick valentine to karaoke...with no vitality off the stage
posted on 18 Aug 2009Writer John Byrum and director Bruce Paltrow ostensibly had a good idea--to catch the fever of semi-professional karaoke singers in action--but maybe this subject might have been better served by a documentary. Byrum's hackneyed plots involving the troubled performers never take off, and Paltrow's staging of the musical numbers is far too slick. How much excitement can you work up when your karaoke singers are lip-synching? Gwyneth Paltrow, playing a child-like woman who is reunited with her estranged father, is a lovely presence, yet hiding her intrinsically smart and savvy personality here does her no favors. The most surprising thing about the picture is that Paul Giamatti can carry a tune, although he's distinctly studio-enhanced, as if the producers were hoping to get a hit soundtrack out of this thing. Small wonder the movie flounders; it's calculated and colorless. *1/2 from ****