There are very few Hollywood films that look like a labour of love instead of being product of someone’s cold commercial calculations. Duets, 2000 musical drama directed by Bruce Paltrow, not only provides one of such rare examples but also represents as one of increasingly rare Hollywood films that could be described as family affair.
The script, written by television veteran John Byrum, has the plot set in the world of professional karaoke singing and follows six characters travelling to Omaha to participate in national competition. Ricky Dean (played by Huey Lewis) is hustler who at the funeral of his wife meets his estranged daughter Liv (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) who is, like her father, talented karaoke singer and two of them reluctantly decide to join same competition. Todd Woods (played by Paul Giamatti) is California salesman deeply unsatisfied with his life who impulsively leaves home and family and travels to Omaha, picking Reggie King (played by Andre Braugher), escaped convict, as hitch hiker and discovers that both men share talent for karaoke. Billy Hannan (played by Scott Speedman) is cab driver who pairs with Suzi Loomis (played by Maria Bello), drifter who supports herself by karaoke singing and providing sexual favours.
Paltrow, who was also one of the producers, has spent years trying to start the production. He succeeded only on the account of his daughter Gwyneth Paltrow getting Oscar for Shakespeare in Love and thus providing enough stellar clout to compensate for the absence of Gwyneth’s boyfriend Brad Pitt, who was supposed to play Billy before his widely publicised breakup with the actress. Bruce Paltrow, who worked mostly on television, shows lack of experience in feature films. Made of three separate stories that connect near the end, Duets suffers because those stories very much vary in quality. The best segment feature Paul Giamatti in one of the more powerful roles of his career, well-matched by the talents of Andre Braugher playing rather unusual character. Maria Bello is, on the other hand, unconvincing in black wig and her character is poorly written. Segment featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis is, on the other hand, quite forgettable, while the ending seems a little bit too dark for film which was advertised as something like light-hearted comedy. General impression is improved by likeable music numbers and Duets can be recommended to the viewers with expectations that aren’t too high.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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