Traumpaare: Duets

I discovered this movie a couple of years ago and was charmed by its fragile characters and beautiful soundtrack that seems to create character depth that the script doesn't. Huey Lewis (Ricky Dean) was, surprisingly, very strong in his role as a reluctant father to Gwyneth Paltrow's character, Liv. While I found some of the acting to be wooden, and the direction was often predictable, there is something that appealed to me - I feel that the characters spoke through the music rather than the narrative, thus lifting the movie to a higher level. A mention also has to go to Braugher and Giamatti who are a delightful combination right up to the heartbreaking climax.

I often wonder why I watch so many movies, and why I love them so. It isn't because they often explore new territory or challenge my intellect, but then there's a whole public library and a Barnes and Noble in every strip mall for that. No, I think it must be the escapist delight of allowing myself to be absorbed for a couple of hours in a well-crafted imaginary world where unbelievable things happen to unrealistic people. It's a guilty pleasure, but hey, sometimes I eat my dessert first. I can handle the guilt.

With that said, as guilty pleasures go, this dessert is a banana split for two with extra nuts and cherries. And one spoon. Huey Lewis and the incomparable Gwyneth Paltrow are a father daughter team trying to get acquainted on the karaoke circuit. He's a karaoke hustler (who knew) and she's a third generation Las Vegas showgirl who is at once worldly and naive.

Paul Giamatti is a shocker. He's amazing as the frustrated salesman who's out "for a pack of cigarette." Along the way, he encounters Reggie Kane (Andre Braugher) a convict on the lam whose quiet desperation is a stark contrast to Giamatti's wanton abandon.

Maria Bello is hilarious as the resourceful bohemeian chasing a dream of big money. Angie Dickenson graces the scene with a tasty cameo. And then there's the singing. OK, Todd Rundgren isn't worried about Giamatti's rendition of the classic "Hello it's Me", and Andre used a voiceover, but Gwyneth can really sing, and her duet with Babyface in the closing credits is a chart-topper in anybody's book.

Directed by Gwyneth's dad Bruce, in his first feature since graduating from the small screen, the word "Duets" describes this enjoyable film in more ways than one. But in the end, the duet that matters is just you and this wonderful little film.

Director and Star have the same last name; hmmm is this a Paltrow family project or what? The recurring thought I had after watching this was: "How old is the little girl Ms. Paltrow is supposed to be playing?" She does well with the on-screen dad and even her on-screen grandma (played by Angie Dickinson) but much about this movie stymies my comprehension of the fantasy of a plot. If you like guys doing duets after sharing road-movie buddying up, then you'll love Paul Giamatti singing with Andre Braugher (however Mr. Braugher lip-synches for both of his on-screen karaoke performances). Mr. Giamatti has to carry the story-line's major dramatic development; the running gag of the Frequent Flyer Miles for redemption seems to be an "inside" joke of the Writer/Director/Dialogue editor. The movie does have a direction (give it some credit) but the title seems to have been junked at some point as only one of the final performances is a duet (and that one seemed almost to have been impromptu). I expected some sort of re-arrangement of the singing partners but it would never have occurred to me that one of the six major characters would never even have a microphone thrust in his direction. Didn't these film makers and writers see the hilarious section in "MY BEST FRIEND's WEDDING" where Cameron Diaz' character does such a bad job at Karaoke that it's memorable??? I wondered several times -- Did Brad Pitt have the non-singer role when he was first slated to join in this family "project"? Where was the Duet between the female leads? Where was the live concert possibility version? In its favor, Mr. Giamatti does convey well the manic aspects of the karaoke adulation but cutting away with music still playing is a sign that the director was non-committal. As far as advice to Director Paltrow might be apropos -- much about this film reminded me of a TV perspective and some glib observances about unhappy Americans: a couple of drifters, a suburban salesman who can't connect with family, a philosophical, non-threatening ex-prisoner, also an underachiever. If you have a sequel in mind, go with lots of undiscovered singers whose connection to a song leads to even more electrifying performances. You did get some great song-singer connections but try to let those come to a fuller "bloom!" Any IMDB readers seeking an unqualified recommendation for this rental must be diehard Paul Giamatti fans to reach fullest satisfaction // I've never heard of equally watchable Maria Bello before this film and her "energy" is another attraction for a "cult-film following." Many of the songs are great covers / re-treads !!! (Notice I said many, not ALL). I give it a 7 / 10 *s for its soundtrack appeal and its under-achieved possibility.

"Duets" is definitely outside of what I had expected it to be... it is outside of the only-on-it-for-the-money, watch-the-weekend-grosses Hollywood sell-out that everyone complains about. It is a wonderful story, full of surprises and charm. The characters are 3-dimensional, to be sure. Their stories are not always pretty, and certainly not predictable. I was always entertained, engrossed, and ultimately very uplifted. Huey lewis could make it as an actor, and Gwyneth Paltrow could make it as a singer, both without any gimmicky "pr" work to present them as a stunt. They, and the entire cast of unknown actors were top-notch here. The music is real, and means something to the movie, and it all meant a lot to me. Go see it-- it has tons of heart, and soul. You'll like it. I gave it an 8 out of 10.

I admit it -- I'm a total sucker for this movie for all of the right reasons, and some of the wrong ones (like, it's very touching to me that Bruce Paltrow made this movie with his daughter Gwyneth and died a year or so later). Having Huey Lewis in the movie and singing a few of his monster hits is a plus all by itself, and it turns out he can actually act decently. The Paul Giamatti - Andre Braugher duo, both in terms of plot, their excellent acting, and their blow-you-away singing performance, is something I never tire of seeing, and I've watched this movie five times and have it on disk. The plot is superficially pedestrian but actually very engaging and psychologically legitimate despite the displays of craziness by the characters. People do get crazy and do that kind of stuff. As for Gwyneth Paltrow, there seems to be no role she can't get into and occupy with beautiful effect.

This was never intended to be a Great Movie. It was a nice little story, made into a very fine, charming, stick-to-your memory movie with talent oozing out the corners. People who rate it mediocre are just not seeing the pearl for the oyster.