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IMDbPro

Duets

  • 20002000
  • RR
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
9.6K
YOUR RATING
Promo Poster
Post
Play trailer1:52
1 Video
31 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Music
A professional karaoke hustler reconnects with his daughter and a bored suburban businessman turns outlaw karaoke singer, among other plotlines.A professional karaoke hustler reconnects with his daughter and a bored suburban businessman turns outlaw karaoke singer, among other plotlines.A professional karaoke hustler reconnects with his daughter and a bored suburban businessman turns outlaw karaoke singer, among other plotlines.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
9.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Bruce Paltrow
  • Writer
    • John Byrum
  • Stars
    • Huey Lewis
    • Gwyneth Paltrow
    • Paul Giamatti
Top credits
  • Director
    • Bruce Paltrow
  • Writer
    • John Byrum
  • Stars
    • Huey Lewis
    • Gwyneth Paltrow
    • Paul Giamatti
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 135User reviews
    • 59Critic reviews
    • 40Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Duets
    Trailer 1:52
    Duets

    Photos31

    Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis in Duets (2000)
    Maria Bello and Scott Speedman in Duets (2000)
    Andre Braugher and Paul Giamatti in Duets (2000)
    Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis in Duets (2000)
    Maria Bello and Scott Speedman in Duets (2000)
    Andre Braugher and Paul Giamatti in Duets (2000)
    Gwyneth Paltrow stars as Liv
    Liv & Ricky duet
    Todd & Reggie sing
    Billy & Suzi
    Gwyneth Paltrow stars as Liv
    Huey Lewis stars as Ricky

    Top cast

    Edit
    Huey Lewis
    Huey Lewis
    • Ricky Deanas Ricky Dean
    Gwyneth Paltrow
    Gwyneth Paltrow
    • Livas Liv
    Paul Giamatti
    Paul Giamatti
    • Todd Woodsas Todd Woods
    Andre Braugher
    Andre Braugher
    • Reggie Kaneas Reggie Kane
    Lochlyn Munro
    Lochlyn Munro
    • Ronny Jacksonas Ronny Jackson
    Carol Alexander
    • Beth the Hostessas Beth the Hostess
    Michael J Rogers
    Michael J Rogers
    • Tulsa Bartenderas Tulsa Bartender
    • (as Michael Rogers)
    Amanda Kravat
    • Redheadas Redhead
    Ian Robison
    • Sales Guyas Sales Guy
    Roger Haskett
    Roger Haskett
    • Sales Guyas Sales Guy
    John Payne
    John Payne
    • Sales Guyas Sales Guy
    Scott Speedman
    Scott Speedman
    • Billyas Billy
    Tom Bougers
    • Desk Sergeantas Desk Sergeant
    Marian Seldes
    Marian Seldes
    • Harriet Gahaganas Harriet Gahagan
    Angie Phillips
    • Arleneas Arlene
    Steve Oatway
    Steve Oatway
    • Ralph Beckermanas Ralph Beckerman
    Erika von Tagen
    • Julieas Julie
    • (as Erika Von Tagen)
    Kiersten Warren
    Kiersten Warren
    • Candy Woodsas Candy Woods
    • Director
      • Bruce Paltrow
    • Writer
      • John Byrum
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was the only time Gwyneth Paltrow and her father Bruce Paltrow worked together on a filmed project.
    • Goofs
      When Liv is confronting Ricky in his hotel room, standing outside his bathroom door, the camera shows Liv from behind with only a small strand of hair down her back. In a subsequent cut to this angle, there is a large chunk of hair flowing down her back.
    • Quotes

      Todd Woods: And they say our world has lost its Finesse

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Nurse Betty/Turn it Up/The Way of the Gun/The Watcher/Dark Days (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      At This Moment
      Written by Billy Vera

      Performed by Lochlyn Munro

      Vocal Tracks produced by Richard Rudolph (as Richard Rudolph)

    User reviews135

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    "I'm different now... I sing--"
    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.
    helpful•30
    3
    • jhclues
    • Mar 4, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 15, 2000 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • A dúo
    • Filming locations
      • Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Hollywood Pictures
      • Seven Arts Pictures
      • Beacon Communications
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $21,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,739,023
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,002,588
      • Sep 17, 2000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,620,242
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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