Andre Braugher, Angie Dickinson, Angie Phillips

Karaoke is a way for average people to get on stage and sing cover songs. In Duets, it's also a money sport. No, really. As with other bar sports (pool, darts), the karaoke-for-money game is r...( read more  read more... )ife with hustlers. One such hustler is Ricky Dean (Huey Lewis), who takes time off the karaoke circuit to attend the funeral of his ex-wife, where he meets his estranged daughter (Gwyneth Paltrow) and can't shake her desire to go on the road with him. The other hustler is Suzi Loomis (Maria Bello), a woman who literally prostitutes herself to get from gig to gig, until she meets up with a kind-hearted cabby (Scott Speedman). Then there's Todd Woods (Paul Giamatti), who gets so fed up with his sales job and being ignored at home that he hits the road, moving from karaoke bar to karaoke bar in a voyage of self-discovery. Along the way he picks up Reggie Kane (Andre Braugher), an escaped felon with a voice like an angel. All three couples end up in Omaha for the $5,000 karaoke finals. Chock full of bad writing and bad direction, the movie inspires a perverse fascination. Braugher and Giamatti chew up the scenery at every opportunity, but most interesting is the father-daughter incest subtext (compounded by the fact that the movie is directed by Gwyneth's dad, Bruce Paltrow). Eeeeesh. --Andy Spletzer

Flixster Users

46% liked it

2,385 ratings

Critics

21% liked it

86 critics

R, 112 min.

Directed by: Bruce Paltrow

Release Date: September 15, 2000

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DVD Release Date: May 8, 2001

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Stats: 394 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (394)


  • September 23, 2009
    This was an unexpectedly sweet film, Paul Giamatti is great as always.
  • September 24, 2008
    Not too shabby...
  • August 13, 2007
    Im going solo after this travesty!
  • October 25, 2008
    It's not great but it's very enjoyable.
  • August 8, 2009
    So, I'm probably overrating this movie. I will admit it. I finished watching the movie and thought that it was worth a bout 2 stars. But then I did something I should never do before writing my review: I watched the audio commentary. Suddenly a film that I thought was pretty...( read more) bad became pretty average. You see, Bruce Paltrow had throat cancer and it was a labour of love that took 5 years to make. That's right - 5 years for this! But now it really truly does feel like a 3 star movie and I can't shake it.

    Let's talk about the movie itself. Perhaps it would be more exciting if you didn't know what karaoke was. For some reason, they assume that this is a new activity that the audience is somewhat unfamiliar with. So, that's problem number 1. Problem number 2 is that most of the characters are downright annoying. And let's face it, besides the Giamatti/other guy coupling or "duet", none of the pairs matter. Problem number 2. Problem number 3? It's got Huey Lewis as an actor. Come on, dude!

    That all being said, I did like the singing and was shocked to learn that it was done (mostly) by the actors themselves. It was much better than what I hear at my local bar on karaoke night. Good job.
  • June 3, 2009
    Oh! I like the songs inside! And I like the actress
  • April 10, 2009
    sure to make u fall w/ some1
  • March 25, 2009
    This movie was a bit too sporadic for me. I did like hearing Gweynth Paltrow sing.
  • March 19, 2009
    I'm not a karaoke person but this movie was great. I think it was a clever movie how each of character connect to eacher into one place. Acting in this was great plus their singing talent especially by Maria Bello and Andre Braugher. It had some interesting dialouge too.
  • February 22, 2009
    wow umn what a movie 2 watch..i have just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is a good movie 2 watch..its got a good cast of actors/actressess throughout this movie...i think that gwyneth paltrow, maria bello, paul giamatti, huey lewis all play good parts throughout...( read more) this movie...i think that the director of this Action & Adventure, Drama, Comedy movie had done a good job of directing this movie because you never know what 2 expect throughout this movie...its a good movie 2 watch n its a really good Action & Adventure, Drama, Comedy movie

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Every so often a movie comes along that's bad in such original and unexpected ways that it inspires an almost admiring fascination. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Its fundamental error is that it tries to squeeze bittersweet heartbreak and goofy social satire into the same story. Just when the movie gets the rhythm, it steps on its own feet. full review

January 1, 2000
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

It sometimes sings off-key, but at least it sings proud. full review

View more Duets reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • icedtoffee22
    April 10, 2009
    yup am the 1st here i met my wife tru the soundtrack of this song entitled "cruisin" many thanks to all who did this..!
  • terris85017
    February 16, 2008
    Even the music is good in this film.....
    Flixster - Share Movies
    (2005 Director: Bruce Paltrow) (another great music movie with a heartwarming storyline) Huey Lewis (of Huey Lewis & the News--Heartbeat of America) & Gwyneth Paltrow but also Maria Bello (Coyote Ugly) & Paul Giamatti (Sideways,The Illusionist). Another about a father and daughter..
    Flixster - Share Movies

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Duets Trivia


  • This 80's Rocker had cameos in Back to the Future, Sphere, and played a starring role in the film Duets.  Answer »
  • What song did Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis sang in the movie Duets?  Answer »
  • in the movie walk the line how many duets do johnny cash and june carter sing together  Answer »
  • In the movie High School Musical who was the actor that sang the duets with gabrielle?  Answer »

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