| Photos (See all 32 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 3) |
| Lochlyn Munro | ... | Ronny Jackson | |
| Carol Alexander | ... | Beth the Hostess | |
| Michael Rogers | ... | Tulsa Bartender | |
| Huey Lewis | ... | Ricky Dean | |
| Amanda Kravat | ... | Redhead | |
| Paul Giamatti | ... | Todd Woods | |
| Ian Robison | ... | Sales Guy | |
| Roger Haskett | ... | Sales Guy | |
| John Payne | ... | Sales Guy | |
| Scott Speedman | ... | Billy | |
| Tom Bougers | ... | Desk Sergeant | |
| Marian Seldes | ... | Harriet Gahagan | |
| Angie Phillips | ... | Arlene | |
| Steve Oatway | ... | Ralph Beckerman | |
| Erika von Tagen | ... | Julie (as Erika Von Tagen) | |
| Kiersten Warren | ... | Candy Woods | |
| Laura Murdoch | ... | Dead Showgirl | |
| Gwyneth Paltrow | ... | Liv | |
| Angie Dickinson | ... | Blair | |
| Roman Danylo | ... | Albuquerque Desk Clerk | |
| Keegan Connor Tracy | ... | Sheila (as Keegan Tracy) | |
| Ann Warn Pegg | ... | Taffy | |
| Maria Bello | ... | Suzi Loomis | |
| Ron Small | ... | Old Homeless Man | |
| Tony Marr | ... | Japanese Business Man | |
| Brian Jensen | ... | Cincinnati Bartender | |
| Tom Heaton | ... | Charlie | |
| Andre Braugher | ... | Reggie Kane | |
| Andrew Johnston | ... | Shop Manager | |
| Wyley Vlahovic | ... | Desert Joint Man | |
| Beverley Elliott | ... | Desert Joint Woman (as Beverly Elliott) | |
| Diane Brown | ... | Desert Joint Hostess | |
| Warren Takeuchi | ... | Texas Trooper #1 | |
| Aaron Pearl | ... | Buddy | |
| J.B. Bivens | ... | Clark | |
| Candus Churchill | ... | Karaoke Woman | |
| Brent Butt | ... | Kansas Motel Clerk | |
| David Neale | ... | Desk Manager | |
| Mike Mitchell | ... | K.C. Gas Station Attendant (as Mike 'Mitch' Mitchell) | |
| Iris Quinn | ... | K.C. Hostess | |
| Brenda Crichlow | ... | Omaha Clerk | |
| Maya Rudolph | ... | Omaha Karaoke Hostess | |
| Marlina Lombardi | ... | Finale Singer (as Marlaina Andre) | |
| Michael Bublé | ... | Finale Singer | |
| 'Karaoke Karl' Detken | ... | Finale Singer | |
| Dan Joffre | ... | Finale Singer | |
| Nicole Parker | ... | Finale Singer (as Nicole Parker-Smith) | |
| Erin Wright | ... | Finale Singer | |
| Anita Dutton | ... | Tonia Kasper | |
| Larry Dutton | ... | Hobie Kasper | |
| Gary Hetherington | ... | Omaha Police Captain | |
| John Pinette | ... | John | |
| Susan Campbell | ... | Airline Representative | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| James Cameron | ... | Karaoke singer (uncredited) | |
| Mark Hoeppner | ... | Desert Joint Bartender (uncredited) | |
| Kolja Liquette | ... | Hospital Orderly (uncredited) | |
| Arnold McCuller | ... | Reggie Kane (singing voice) (uncredited) | |
| Bill Taylor | ... | Bar Patron (uncredited) | |
Directed by | |||
| Bruce Paltrow | |||
Writing credits(WGA) | ||
| John Byrum | (written by) | |
Produced by | |||
| Katherine E. Beyda | .... | associate producer | |
| John Byrum | .... | producer | |
| Neil Canton | .... | executive producer | |
| Kevin Jones | .... | producer | |
| Tony Ludwig | .... | executive producer | |
| Lee R. Mayes | .... | executive producer | |
| Bruce Paltrow | .... | producer | |
| Alan Riche | .... | executive producer | |
Original Music by | |||
| David Newman | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| Paul Sarossy | (director of photography) | ||
Film Editing by | |||
| Gerald B. Greenberg | (as Jerry Greenberg) | ||
Casting by | |||
| Kathy Driscoll | (as Kathleen Driscoll-Mohler) | ||
| Francine Maisler | |||
Production Design by | |||
| Sharon Seymour | |||
Art Direction by | |||
| William Heslup | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Lesley Beale | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| Mary Claire Hannan | |||
Makeup Department | |||
| Ian C. Ballard | .... | key hair stylist (as Ian Ballard) | |
| Tina Earnshaw | .... | key makeup artist | |
| Joann Fowler | .... | key makeup artist (as Jo Ann Fowler) | |
| Kay Georgiou | .... | key hair stylist | |
Production Management | |||
| Katherine E. Beyda | .... | unit production manager | |
| Kasandra Greene-Griebel | .... | assistant production manager | |
| Laura Tateishi | .... | production supervisor: Las Vegas (as Laura 'LT' Tateishi) | |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| Jim Brebner | .... | first assistant director | |
| Kevin Fair | .... | second assistant director (as Kevin G. Fair) | |
| David Fudge | .... | second assistant director: Las Vegas | |
| Jack Gill | .... | second unit director | |
| Jeff Mosuk | .... | trainee assistant director | |
| Darren Robson | .... | third assistant director | |
| Joth Riggs | .... | second assistant director (uncredited) | |
Art Department | |||
| J.P. Bagshaw | .... | set dresser | |
| Michael Baker | .... | swing: Las Vegas | |
| Keith Burk | .... | leadman | |
| Charlie Campbell | .... | lead carpenter | |
| Vance Conway | .... | construction coordinator | |
| Graham Coutts | .... | property master | |
| Richard Dobbin | .... | lead carpenter | |
| Andrew Emde | .... | art department assistant (as T. Andrew Emde) | |
| Angie England | .... | painter (as Angela England) | |
| Gillian Goodman | .... | assistant property master | |
| Brentan Harron | .... | graphic designer | |
| Glen Hierlihy | .... | scenic carpenter | |
| Jeffrey Paul Johnson | .... | property master: Las Vegas | |
| Robert W. Joseph | .... | leadman: Las Vegas (as Robert Joseph) | |
| Herminio Kam | .... | paint coordinator | |
| Alex Kameniczky | .... | draftsman | |
| Patrick Kearns | .... | on-set dresser | |
| Steve Martin | .... | scenic carpenter (as Steven D. Martin) | |
| Bill McMahon | .... | set designer | |
| Paula R. Montgomery | .... | set dresser | |
| Audra Neil | .... | set dresser | |
| D.N. Pettipas | .... | property assistant | |
| Denise Pizzini | .... | set decorator: Las Vegas | |
| Brian Price | .... | scenic carpenter | |
| Al Rourke | .... | construction foreman (as Alan K. Rourke) | |
| Steve Rowland | .... | set dresser (as Steve Roland) | |
| Beatrix Schalk | .... | scenic artist | |
| Thomas Scheitel | .... | scenic carpenter (as Tom Scheitel) | |
| Ron Sowden | .... | assistant decorator | |
| Mark Tompkins | .... | scenic painter | |
| Anneke Van Oort | .... | art department coordinator | |
| Bob Warner | .... | on-set painter: Las Vegas (as Robert Warner) | |
Sound Department | |||
| Gregg Barbanell | .... | foley artist | |
| Eric Batut | .... | production sound mixer | |
| Jim Brookshire | .... | supervising adr editor | |
| Tom E. Dahl | .... | re-recording mixer (as Tom Dahl) | |
| Linda Folk | .... | adr editor | |
| Steve Kohler | .... | dubbing recordist | |
| Adam Kopald | .... | sound editor | |
| John Kwiatkowski | .... | dialogue editor | |
| Laura Macias | .... | foley artist | |
| Donald J. Malouf | .... | supervising sound editor | |
| Piero Mura | .... | sound editor | |
| Geoffrey Patterson | .... | sound mixer: Las Vegas (as Geoffrey L. Patterson) | |
| Michele Perrone | .... | adr editor | |
| Karen Schell | .... | sound assistant | |
| Greg Steele | .... | adr mixer | |
| Mark Steinbeck | .... | boom operator: Las Vegas | |
| Ann L. Thornberg | .... | assistant sound editor | |
| Todd Toon | .... | supervising sound editor | |
| Mark A. Tracy | .... | assistant sound editor | |
| Elliot Tyson | .... | re-recording mixer | |
| Kelly Zombor | .... | boom operator (as Kelly M. Zombor) | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Skip Burrows | .... | special effects: Las Vegas | |
| Adrian Fisher | .... | special effects assistant | |
| Philip Edward Jones | .... | special effects assistant (as Phillip E. Jones) | |
| Darren Marcoux | .... | special effects coordinator (as Darryn Marcoux) | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Ralph Maiers | .... | visual effects supervisor | |
| Christopher Grandel | .... | digital compositor (uncredited) | |
Casting Department | |||
| Stuart Aikins | .... | casting: Vancouver (as Stuart Aikens) | |
| Andrea Brown | .... | extras casting director | |
| Carl Butto | .... | extras casting: Las Vegas | |
| Margee Butto | .... | extras casting: Las Vegas (as Margee) | |
| Sean Cossey | .... | casting assistant: Vancouver | |
| Kathryn Eisenstein | .... | casting associate: Los Angeles | |
| Ray Favero | .... | casting: Las Vegas | |
| Jina Johnson | .... | assistant extras casting | |
| Jon Scott Strotheide | .... | casting associate: Los Angeles (as Jon Strotheide) | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Lola Bullion Chambers | .... | costume supervisor: Las Vegas (as Lola Chambers) | |
| Janice Devries | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Nancy Duggan | .... | wardrobe assistant | |
| Patricia Flynn | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Clare Le Floc'h | .... | truck costumer (as Claire La Foc'h) | |
| Danise Lee | .... | costumer (as Denise Lee) | |
| Debi Weldon | .... | lead costumer | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Glenn Cocco | .... | first assistant editor: electronic | |
| Chris DeLaGuardia | .... | color timer (as Chris De LaGuardia) | |
| Jeff Etcher | .... | first assistant editor: film, Los Angeles | |
| Laura Hudock | .... | post-production assistant | |
| Mark Lemmon | .... | first assistant editor: film, British Columbia | |
| Danny Miller | .... | first assistant editor: film, Los Angeles (as Dan Miller) | |
| Lorie Olson | .... | second assistant editor: British Columbia (as Lorie Olsen) | |
| Ron Stanik | .... | second assistant editor: LA | |
Music Department | |||
| Scott Bourgeois | .... | karaoke computer playback operator | |
| Michael Colomby | .... | production music recordist | |
| Sandy DeCrescent | .... | music contractor (as Sandy De Crescent) | |
| Marty Frasu | .... | scoring sound designer | |
| Daniel Gaber | .... | music editor | |
| Rob Graham | .... | music playback operator | |
| Daniel Hamuy | .... | orchestrator | |
| Alexander Janko | .... | orchestrator | |
| Carlton Kaller | .... | music editor (as Carl Kaller) | |
| John Kurlander | .... | scoring mixer | |
| Lesley Langs | .... | assistant music editor | |
| Stephanie Lowry | .... | production music editor | |
| Klaus Melchior | .... | karaoke playback operator | |
| Jill Meyers | .... | music clearance | |
| Krystyna Newman | .... | scoring consultant (as Krys Newman) | |
| John Rodd | .... | orchestral scoring recordist | |
| Dick Rudolph | .... | music supervisor (as Richard Rudolph) | |
| Maya Rudolph | .... | music supervisor | |
| Steven L. Smith | .... | music preparation | |
| Scott Steyns | .... | karaoke lyric designer | |
Other crew | |||
| Mike Alberts | .... | production assistant: Las Vegas (as Michael Alberts) | |
| Ryan Argente | .... | accounting clerk | |
| Donna Armstrong | .... | medic: Las Vegas | |
| Gregory Astop | .... | production assistant | |
| Ildiko Barritt | .... | key craft service | |
| Ildiko Barritt | .... | key first aid | |
| Ashley Bell | .... | production assistant | |
| Andrea Boorman | .... | production coordinator | |
| Rich Brown | .... | assistant accountant | |
| Silver Butler | .... | key set production assistant | |
| Christopher Cilluffo | .... | production secretary: Las Vegas (as Chris Cilluffo) | |
| Jason Collier | .... | production assistant | |
| Jeff Crandell | .... | location manager: Las Vegas | |
| Julia Cudihy | .... | assistant: Ms. Paltrow | |
| Aubrey Culp | .... | stand-in (as Lee Aubrey Culp) | |
| Dawn Darfus | .... | production accountant: Los Angeles, re-shoots | |
| Tami DeSchutter | .... | stand-in (as Tami Deschutter) | |
| Kathryn Drew | .... | production accountant (as Kathryn M. Drew) | |
| Janice Frome | .... | location manager | |
| Ramiro Gomez | .... | production assistant: Las Vegas | |
| Elspeth Grafton | .... | trainee assistant location manager | |
| Ken Hovgaard | .... | production assistant | |
| Wendy Hyman | .... | accounting clerk (as Wendy J. Hyman) | |
| Brenda Ilic | .... | second assistant coordinator | |
| Rene Jansen | .... | assistant accountant | |
| J. Larsen Jay | .... | assistant production coordinator | |
| Karen R. Jones | .... | unit publicist | |
| Julie Landau | .... | post-production accountant | |
| Todd Lester | .... | security captain | |
| Dan Mansfield | .... | office production assistant (as Daniel Mansfield) | |
| Doug Moreno | .... | production accountant: Las Vegas | |
| Sandra Murillo | .... | assistant: Mr. Jones and Mr. Mayes (as Sandra Kilgour) | |
| Lisa Ragosin | .... | production coordinator | |
| Tony Rudenko | .... | computer graphic artist | |
| Michael Sandknop | .... | key assistant location manager | |
| Nina Saxon | .... | title designer | |
| Leslie Silvey | .... | production coordinator: Las Vegas (as Lesley Silvey) | |
| Sol | .... | craft service: Las Vegas | |
| Jay St. Louis | .... | assistant location manager | |
| Karen Tolson | .... | office production assistant (as Karin Tolson) | |
| Ryf Van Rij | .... | stand-in (as Ryf Van Rif) | |
| Gavin Wiesen | .... | assistant: Mr. Paltrow | |
| Christine Wilson | .... | script supervisor | |
| Julie Adams | .... | dialect coach (uncredited) | |
| Tim Ballou | .... | script clearance administrator (uncredited) | |
| K.L. Connie Wang | .... | assistant script clearance administrator (uncredited) | |
Thanks | |||
| Gary Chandler | .... | the producers wish to thank | |
| 'Karaoke Karl' Detken | .... | the producers wish to thank | |
| Jere Hausfater | .... | the producers wish to thank | |
| John Link | .... | the producers wish to thank | |
| Brian Smith | .... | the producers wish to thank: Orbit Travel | |
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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. 9/10.