I may own a DVD copy of the indie flick Duets, but it's not because I like it. My mom likes the movie, and I have a sneaking suspicion it's because of Huey Lewis. While he's very attractive, I just couldn't bring myself to watch this movie more than once. It's too upsetting!
Even karaoke fans won't necessarily like this movie, since it's very dark and most people sing karaoke as a way to escape from their problems. This movie brings everyone's problems to the forefront. Huey Lewis is a hustler, who pretends not to know what karaoke is until strangers in a bar bet him that he can't sing. Then, he sings, wins the bet, picks up a drunken fan for the night, and moves to the next bar. Gwyneth Paltrow is a young woman with low self-esteem who believes getting to know her father will help her in her life journey. Paul Giamatti is a depressed family man who gives up on life and partners with a criminal, Andre Braughner. Scott Speedman and Maria Bello are drifters without prospects. The three "duets" are split into unrelated sections of the film, all headed towards a major karaoke contest.
The best part of the film is the accurate depiction of the karaoke world. It's seedy, dirty, and full of people on drugs and alcohol who believe a little applause will make them feel loved and important. You have my warning: this movie is pretty depressing. Unless you think you can handle it, pick something lighter tonight, like War and Peace.
Even karaoke fans won't necessarily like this movie, since it's very dark and most people sing karaoke as a way to escape from their problems. This movie brings everyone's problems to the forefront. Huey Lewis is a hustler, who pretends not to know what karaoke is until strangers in a bar bet him that he can't sing. Then, he sings, wins the bet, picks up a drunken fan for the night, and moves to the next bar. Gwyneth Paltrow is a young woman with low self-esteem who believes getting to know her father will help her in her life journey. Paul Giamatti is a depressed family man who gives up on life and partners with a criminal, Andre Braughner. Scott Speedman and Maria Bello are drifters without prospects. The three "duets" are split into unrelated sections of the film, all headed towards a major karaoke contest.
The best part of the film is the accurate depiction of the karaoke world. It's seedy, dirty, and full of people on drugs and alcohol who believe a little applause will make them feel loved and important. You have my warning: this movie is pretty depressing. Unless you think you can handle it, pick something lighter tonight, like War and Peace.