Rating: 
Summary: How did this dumb movie ever get made???
Review: If you are as brain-dead, shameless and talentless as most of the losers in this god-awful movie, then you might like it. If you are a karaoke fan/participant, you should be insulted. REAL people (I HOPE) don't do such idiotic things. The acting and dialogue are a joke in most cases, and the only saving grace is that SOME of the singing is actually quite good. But poor Gwyneth Paltrow -- she is deservedly embarrassed to have done this dreck. Hope she doesn't hate her daddy the director too much. AVOID AT ALL COSTS (unless you have the qualities listed in the first sentence)!
Rating:
Summary: "Eeeesch" is right!
Review: Everyone in it is embarrassing to watch (except for a standout performance by Andre Braugher) as even the most talented actors can't make the ridiculous dialogue or implausible situations sing.The one star is for some really good musical numbers. Hey, Huey Lewis, c'mon!
Rating:
Summary: 1 Star.
Review: In just 45 seconds or less you can see everything wrong with this movie, which deservedly flopped at the box office. 1980s has-been Huey Lewis acting? Gwyneth Paltrow singing? All this, coupled with a lousy script and inept direction courtesy of Gwyneth's dad? People, this is madness. Not since Francis Ford Coppola cast Sophia in "Godfather III" has a director been so unkind to his daughter by putting Gweneth in this mess. "Duets" is a film that hits all but the right notes.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Film
Review: this film is about a kareoke contest, has a good suppoting cast such as Gweneth Paltrow, and huey lewis. Has a good supporting toppic. i own this film in my movie collection add it to yours. Also this film is shown sometimes on TV. but anyway great movie, great supporting cast, and very entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Truly, truly terrible
Review: There's bad movies that are fun to watch because they're so unintentionally hilarious (ala "Cocktail", "St. Elmo's Fire", and "Staying Alive") - and then there's movies that are just plain painful to watch. Duets is the latter. Rarely does bad acting, directing, and screenwriting come together like this - in such perfect proportions to create a truly unwatchable stinker, a BOMB in the true Hollywood sense. I liked Paul Giammatti in other movies, but his character is such an annoying, whiny loser you wish Andre Braugher would just pull out his .45 and put him out of his (and the audience's) misery. But at least he's not as lifelessly dull as the other cardboard cutouts in this movie. I'd have rather seen a whole movie about the fat guy who sang "Copacabana". Who'd have thunk a movie could be so bad when it's about the high-stakes, exciting, and glamorous world of - karaoke? I bet Gwyneth still isn't speaking to daddy after he talked her into being in this turkey.
Rating: 
Summary: Good for party drinking games, MST 3000 practice
Review: The origins of this movie are rather simple: Gwyneth Paltrow's producer father Bruce Paltrow went out and called up favors owed him from everyone he knew in Hollywood to get his little girl the Best Actress Oscar that always eluded his more talented wife (and Gwyneth's mother), Blythe Danner. So, as payback to daddy for greasing the palms of every has-been and old-timer in the Academy, Gwyneth starred in this strange movie that I am sure has even someone of her average Hollywood talent cringing with embarrassment when she recalls it. Basically, the film starts out with Huey Lewis (erstwhile jazzy rocker from the 1980s) starring as Ricky, a karaoke singer who is down on his luck (sort of like the real Huey Lewis). There's a great full-frontal nudity gratuitous scene though, to let you know he's a ladies' man. That one 15-second scene has the most entertainment value in the whole movie, as it was rather titillating. Next we go to Huey meeting Gwyneth (Liv), and instantly the chemistry (oil and water, sorry) begins. Angie Dickinson is pulled out of mothballs for a cameo appearance to give Huey the made-for-TV stock speech "you'd better take care of my little girl, and not blow it like you usually do." Then, it's back to yesteryear oblivion for Angie. This is important, because it establishes a sotto voce plot point that Huey and Liv have this "past" together, and a sottissimo voce point that it's a romantic past. The subplot of this movie revolves around Todd (Paul Giamatti, who played Howard Stern's boss in "Private Parts") actually a good actor, who must need the work, since he's sort of homely, but can actually act (most of the plum roles these days go to good-looking actors who can't act, like Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise or Kevin Costner). Anyhow, he finds out all of the sudden that his yuppie suburban life has been a lie and a sham, so he hits the road in order to become a karaoke singer. Although a rehash of every hackneyed plot from "Shoot the Moon" to "American Beauty," this one seems more plausible since the pitiful dialogue that comes out of Giamatti's mouth qualifies him for no other work. Another good actor, Andre Braugher, plays a black con on the lamb (Reggie) that befriends Giamatti. This supplies the movie with a lot of great "buddies on the run" scenes right out of the tradition of Robert Urich/Lorenzo Lamas school of TV cop dramas. There's also a subplot revolving around a really cute couple that you forget instantly. But, gosh, they're so cute, with that "aw shucks" quality that's right out of the best Elia Kazan and Tennessee Williams........oh, I'm sorry, I meant right out of the best Michael Landon and Sherwood Schwartz scripts. Anyways, these subplots twist, revolve, meander and basically run out of steam until they conspire to locate -- surprise! -- all these karaoke singing drifters at this splendiferous karaoke championship. The suspense is notched up to full-tension here, and this is when all the threads of the plot come together. The cute couple almost misses their big break, but gets to sing just in the nick of time; you also find out that Huey and Gwyneth are -- surprise again! -- father and daughter. "Oh my God," you think to yourself, "what a pervert I must be for thinking that they were lovers," just like the movie was implying all along. Then you suddenly remember that Bruce Paltrow wrote and directed this, and you're scratching your head even more. Hmmmmm. Nonetheless, you would have never guessed that Huey was Gwyneth's father, since he has this nice richness and raspiness to his voice, and her flat performance of "Bette Davis Eyes" makes Kim Carnes' breathy alto sound like Maria Callas. However, Giamatti and Braugher's final tune bring the movie crashing -- literally -- to a climax. Having hidden behind their karaoke alter egos the entire length of the movie, the police finally get wise to the pair. Knowing the cops are closing in, Reggie belts out a convincing "Freebird," which is the last song you'd ever expect a black guy to sing, since it was by Lynyrd Skynyrd, authors of the Dixiecrat anthem "Sweet Home Alabama." After the last notes resound hauntingly throughout the hotel lounge, Braugher pulls out a gun, and kills himself, a beautiful and touching tribute to Leoncavallo's opera "I Pagliacci," though I'm sure most of the parties involved -- the intended audience, the screenwriters and Bruce Paltrow -- would never know it. I gave this movie two stars instead of one, based on the pearls-before-swine performances of Giamatti and Braugher, and also because "Duets" makes for a great party drinking game: Predict the lame plot; count the bad made-for-TV stock phrases; drink a shot every time someone sings off-key. Viewers please take caution: You will be approaching blood-alcohol poisoning levels after about 1/2 hour, so think when you drink! This movie is rated "R" for adult language and situations, nudity and violence. A designated driver is optional.
Rating:
Summary: Does Anyone Accept Frequent Flyer Miles?
Review: Director Bruce Paltrow assembled an impressive ensemble cast to deliver this story about a diverse group of people with many things in common-- more than they would probably ever realize or admit to, in fact. On the surface, the tie that binds is music; specifically that cultural phenomenon known as Karaoke, a world in which for three minutes or so, no matter who or what they are, the individual at stage center is a star. Underneath that particular aspect, however, the common thread runs much deeper. Because these are people who, in their own way, are all seeking to connect with something, even though they don't know what it is or even consciously know they're pursuing it. They're looking for their personal metaphor-- that one special thing, or someone, that will give meaning and purpose to their life. It's a road we all go down at one time or another, in one way or another, and it's that road that is explored by Paltrow in "Duets," an affecting film that illustrates how universally elusive the answers we're all seeking in life are, and for the most part because we simply don't know the questions in the first place. Ricky Dean (Huey Lewis) is a singer/hustler on the Karaoke circuit; In Tulsa, on his way to a big competition in Omaha, he gets a call and detours through Las Vegas for the funeral of an old friend. While he's there, he meets up with someone with whom he has a special relationship, Liv (Gwyneth Paltrow), who decides she wants to join him on the road. Meanwhile, a salesman named Todd Woods (Paul Giamatti) suddenly realizes he's so burned out from being on the road that he doesn't even know what city he's in, making a pitch to a hotel conference room full of corporate types in Houston, thinking all the while he's actually in Orlando, Florida. When he finally gets home, his wife, Candy (Kiersten Warren), and his two kids are too self-absorbed to even say hello to him, so he goes out for a pack of cigarettes (even though he doesn't smoke), discovers Karaoke and makes a new friend, Reggie Kane (Andre Braugher). Then there's Billy (Scott Speedman), a young man who drives a cab (of which he is half owner), who due to a particular set of circumstances finds himself involved with one Suzi Loomis (Maria Bello), who is on her way to California, by way of the karaoke competition in Omaha. And, ultimately, Karaoke becomes the vehicle through which this eclectic bunch of individuals begin to discover just what it is they're looking for; and who among them ever would've thought it would be in Omaha, Nebraska? Working from an intricate and insightful screenplay by John Byrum, Paltrow has crafted an engrossing comedy/drama that is entertaining and poignant. There's a lot going on in this film, but Paltrow sets a pace that keeps it moving right along, and uses transitions that effectively eliminate any confusion that could easily have resulted from having so many storylines unfolding at once. The characters are well drawn, and Paltrow establishes exactly who they are and where they fit in almost as soon as they are introduced, which enables the viewer to concentrate on the story without having to figure out who fits where and why. After all, this is not a mystery; and Paltrow uses the screen time of his characters wisely to develop the drama that is being played out in their respective lives, rather than by throwing in unnecessary twists and turns just to maintain interest. It works, because the story is interesting enough, without the aid of any superficial enhancements, and Paltrow does an excellent job of blending it all together to deliver a satisfying and emotionally involving film. There are a number of outstanding and noteworthy performances in this film, but the most memorable is turned in by Paul Giamatti, who so successfully conveys the emptiness of this middle-aged man who has always played by the rules, and who now finds himself at a very real crossroads in his life. The fact that Todd has accrued 800,000 frequent flyer miles that he can't use, effectively puts his whole life into perspective; and Giamatti sells it with a portrayal that is affecting and incisive. And, as Reggie, the guy Todd takes up with on the road, Braugher hits just the right note, as well, and their scenes together provide some of the highlights of the film, as when they perform their duet of "Try A Little Tenderness"-- this is Karaoke at it's best. Gwyneth Paltrow provides a few highlights here, as well; besides creating a very real, believable character in Liv, it's worth watching the film just to see her sing "Bette Davis Eyes." But there's also an exquisite gentleness in her nature she so ably expresses that makes her decidedly easy to watch, and there's an engaging duet she delivers with Huey Lewis on "Cruisin'" that's a real showstopper. It's quite interesting, in fact, to note just how well the actors in this film deliver their songs (and, yes, they all did their own singing). Other musical highlights include Braugher's "Free Bird" and Bello's rendition of "Sweet Dreams." This entire film, in fact, just may be the best thing that ever happened to Karaoke; it definitely raises the bar and gives it some mainstream credibility. The supporting cast includes Angie Dickinson (Blair), Lochlyn Munro (Ronny), Amanda Kravat (Redhead), Erika von Tagen (Julie) and Marian Seldes (Harriet). Early in the film, a truck driver asks a hitchhiker-- a guy just out of prison-- "What were you in for?" The guy replies, "An error in judgment." And, in the final analysis, that's what "Duets" is really all about; the flaws, imperfections and "errors in judgment" that make up the music of life. It's about finding that right note and being able to share it with someone-- being able to perform a duet to the score of life.
Rating:
Summary: addictive
Review: I thought this movie was great, it showed so many different lives and intertwined them together . I loved the singing in it so much that I bought the cd . I am 48 years old , and even my daughter who is 31 and my oldest grandchildren loved it.I am going to buy the DVD now.I have watched this movie 6 times already.Its great!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Very Likable Movie Based on a Midguided Idea
Review: "Duets" is certainly a very likable film, and to watch its stars singing makes me feel good, but wait a minute, don't you forget something? That is, everybody does karaoke for fun. Remember, "Duets" is not the first movie that shows the Hollywood stars sing a karaoke song; Cameron Diaz sang twice in "My Best Friend's Wedding" and "A Life Less Ordinary" respectively and on both occasions we had a really tremendous fun to see her sing (very badly). See, nobody wants to see a singer die on the stage, no matter how the script requires him to do so. In this respect, I mean fun, "Duets" takes the subject matter too seriously, and makes us wonder why they must find their meaning of life in such a way, repeatedly participating in karaoke contests. All the cast sing very well, and Gwyneth Paltrow even amazed me with her singing voice, but they did not need to surprise us that way. Poor singing is OK in karaoke as long as you have a good time, and that is what karaoke is all about. And that is the reason Paul Giamatti & Andre Braugher duet of "Try A Little Tenderness" moves our heart most. They are having fun, and we know it. But the rest of the film remains just another ordinary descriptions of characters.
Rating:
Summary: Duets
Review: I loved this film and the music~ I actually got a kick out of this film~ I had NO idea that people made money doing Karaoke, but alas I'm an lover of the Oldies "music" and that added to this film alot of fun and flair~ Anyone ready to hit the road? ? It's done in "good taste" any anyone who doesn't like this film probably perfer's pron flicks!
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