- "Duets" redirects here. For other uses, see Duets (disambiguation).
| Duets | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Bruce Paltrow |
| Produced by | Executive Producers: Tony Ludwig Lee R. Bruce Weigert Paltrow (November 26 1943 – October 3 2002 was an American television and Film director. Mayes Alan Riche Neil Canton Producers: John Byrum Bruce Paltrow Kevin Jones |
| Written by | John Byrum |
| Starring | Paul Giamatti Gwyneth Paltrow Maria Bello Andre Braugher Huey Lewis |
| Music by | David Newman |
| Cinematography | Paul Sarossy |
| Editing by | Gerald B. Greenberg |
| Distributed by | Hollywood Pictures |
| Release date(s) | September 9, 2000 (Toronto Film Festival) |
| Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $16,000,000 |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Duets (2000) is an American road trip comedy film co-produced and directed by Bruce Paltrow, and written by John Byrum. Neil Canton is an American Film producer from New York City. The films he has produced have affected their audiences widely John Byrum is an American film director and writer known for The Razor's Edge, Heart Beat, Duets and Inserts Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti (born June 6, 1967) is an Academy Award -nominated and Emmy Award -winning American Actor Gwyneth Kate Paltrow (born September 27 1972 is an Academy Award - Golden Globe - and double Screen Actors Guild Award -winning American Maria Elana Bello (born April 18 1967 is a Golden Globe-nominated American actress. Andre Braugher (born July 1, 1962) is a two-time Emmy Award -winning American Actor. Huey Lewis (born Hugh Anthony Cregg III; July 5 1950 is an American Musician, Songwriter and occasional Actor. David Newman may refer to David Newman (jazz musician, American jazz saxophonist David Newman (composer, American composer Gerald B Greenberg (born October 29, 1936) is an American Film editor who received both the Academy Award for Film Editing and the BAFTA Hollywood Pictures is one of The Walt Disney Company 's several alternate movie divisions Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The Toronto International Film Festival ( TIFF) is a publicly-attended Film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada The United States of America —commonly referred to as the English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The year 2000 in film involved some significant events Events Top grossing films Please note that following the tradition of the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the This article is about the film Road Trip For the PlayStation 2 video game see Road Trip Adventure. Comedy film is a genre of Film in which the main emphasis is on humor. Bruce Weigert Paltrow (November 26 1943 – October 3 2002 was an American television and Film director. John Byrum is an American film director and writer known for The Razor's Edge, Heart Beat, Duets and Inserts The motion picture features an ensemble cast co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Giamatti, Maria Bello, Andre Braugher, Huey Lewis, among others. An ensemble cast is a cast in which the principal performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a dramatic production Gwyneth Kate Paltrow (born September 27 1972 is an Academy Award - Golden Globe - and double Screen Actors Guild Award -winning American Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti (born June 6, 1967) is an Academy Award -nominated and Emmy Award -winning American Actor Maria Elana Bello (born April 18 1967 is a Golden Globe-nominated American actress. Andre Braugher (born July 1, 1962) is a two-time Emmy Award -winning American Actor. Huey Lewis (born Hugh Anthony Cregg III; July 5 1950 is an American Musician, Songwriter and occasional Actor. [1]
The movie revolves around the little known world of karaoke competitions and the wayward characters who inhabit it. (kɑːrɑːˌoʊkɛ in Japanese karaoke) is a form of Entertainment in which Amateur Singers sing along with recorded Music (and/or a
Contents |
Plot
Ricky Dean (Huey Lewis) is a hustler on the karaoke circuit and travels from town to town. Huey Lewis (born Hugh Anthony Cregg III; July 5 1950 is an American Musician, Songwriter and occasional Actor. (kɑːrɑːˌoʊkɛ in Japanese karaoke) is a form of Entertainment in which Amateur Singers sing along with recorded Music (and/or a We meet up with him in Tulsa on his way to a big competition in Omaha.
He is detoured after getting a phone call and travels to Las Vegas for the funeral of an old friend. Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally A funeral is a Ceremony marking a person's Death. Funerary customs comprise the complex of Beliefs and practices used by a Culture to remember While he's there, he meets up with long-lost daughter Liv (Gwyneth Paltrow), who decides she wants to join him on the road. Gwyneth Kate Paltrow (born September 27 1972 is an Academy Award - Golden Globe - and double Screen Actors Guild Award -winning American
Meanwhile, a stressed out salesman Todd Woods (Paul Giamatti) realizes he's so burned out from being on the road that he doesn't even know what city he's in. Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti (born June 6, 1967) is an Academy Award -nominated and Emmy Award -winning American Actor
When Woods gets home, his wife Candy (Kiersten Warren) and his two kids are too self-absorbed to even say hello to him. Kiersten Warren (born November 4, 1965) is an American actress He goes out for a pack of cigarettes, gets sidetracked and discovers karaoke. A cigarette ( French "small Cigar " from cigar + -ette) is a product consumed through Smoking and manufactured In the process he makes a new friend, Reggie Kane (Andre Braugher), a convict on the lam. Andre Braugher (born July 1, 1962) is a two-time Emmy Award -winning American Actor. Woods tells Reggie what he feels is wrong:
- Our society lacks finesse.
We meet Billy (Scott Speedman), a young man who drives a cab and finds himself involved with sexy Suzi Loomis (Maria Bello). Scott Speedman (born September 1, 1975) is an UK -born Canadian film and television Actor. Maria Elana Bello (born April 18 1967 is a Golden Globe-nominated American actress. She's on her way to California, in a hurry. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. At first, Billy does not want to help, but Suzi says:
- I'm gonna be the only major thing that has happened to you in your life, and you're gonna be jerking off to my memory on your goddamned death bed!
Ultimately, karaoke becomes the vehicle through which this eclectic bunch begin to discover just what it is they're looking for.
The characters soon discover that all roads lead to Omaha, site of a national karaoke competition where this motley group of singers come together for a blow-out sing-off.
The characters, who search to find their way in the world, use both music and the people they meet in the karaoke bars as a way to alleviate the pressures of life and in the process connect with one another and form friendships.
Each of the eccentric singers display their own unique and special talents and perform many well known cover songs throughout the film, hence the title: Duets.
Background
This was the only time Gwyneth Paltrow and her producer/director father Bruce Paltrow worked together on a film project and it was also Bruce Paltrow's last production before his death. Bruce Weigert Paltrow (November 26 1943 – October 3 2002 was an American television and Film director.
Brad Pitt was first cast in Speedman's role, but, after he and Gwyneth Paltrow announced the end of their off-camera romance, Pitt decided not to take the role. William Bradley "Brad" Pitt Pitt received a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for his role in the 1995 film Twelve Monkeys
Film locations
The film locations include: Las Vegas, Nevada, British Columbia, Canada, and Omaha, Nebraska. Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally British Columbia (ˌbrɪtɨʃ kəˈlʌmbiə ( BC) ( (la Colombie-Britannique C
Cast
- Maria Bello as Suzi Loomis
- Andre Braugher as Reggie Kane
- Paul Giamatti as Todd Woods
- Huey Lewis as Ricky Dean
- Gwyneth Paltrow as Liv
- Scott Speedman as Billy Hannan
- Lochlyn Munro as Ronny Jackson
- John Pinette as Finals singer
- Angie Dickinson as Blair
- Maya Rudolph as Omaha Hostess
- Kiersten Warren as Candy Woods
- Marian Seldes as Harriet Gahagan
- Keegan Connor Tracy as Sheila, Albuquerque singer
- Aaron Pearl as Buddy
Critical reception
Even though film critics Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper gave the film "a thumbs up" on their television program, Ebert wrote in his film column, "Duets has little islands of humor and even perfection, floating in a sea of missed marks and murky intentions. Maria Elana Bello (born April 18 1967 is a Golden Globe-nominated American actress. Andre Braugher (born July 1, 1962) is a two-time Emmy Award -winning American Actor. Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti (born June 6, 1967) is an Academy Award -nominated and Emmy Award -winning American Actor Huey Lewis (born Hugh Anthony Cregg III; July 5 1950 is an American Musician, Songwriter and occasional Actor. Gwyneth Kate Paltrow (born September 27 1972 is an Academy Award - Golden Globe - and double Screen Actors Guild Award -winning American Scott Speedman (born September 1, 1975) is an UK -born Canadian film and television Actor. Richard Laughlain "Lochlyn" Munro (born February 12, 1966) is a Canadian Actor known for his portrayal of clean-cut but intense John Pinette (born March 23, 1964) is an American Actor and stand-up comedian. Angie Dickinson (born September 30, 1931) is a Golden Globe -winning American television and Film actress, perhaps Maya Khabira Rudolph (born July 27, 1972) is an American actress and Comedian, known as a long-running cast member on NBC Kiersten Warren (born November 4, 1965) is an American actress Marian Hall Seldes (born August 23, 1928) is an American award-winning stage, Film, Radio, and Television actress Keegan Connor Tracy (born 3 December 1971) is a Canadian actress known for her roles as the ill-fated Kat Jennings in Final Destination 2 Roger Joseph Ebert (iːbɝt born June 18, 1942) is an American film critic and Screenwriter. Richard Roeper (born October 17, 1959) is a Columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and from September 2000 through August 2008 "[2] And, Kenneth Turan, film critic for the Los Angeles Times, called the film ""six characters in search of a movie. Kenneth Turan ( (b 27 October 1946) is an American Film critic and Lecturer in the Master of Professional Writing Program at the University The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily Newspaper published in Los Angeles California and distributed Any movie will do. . . "[3]
Yet, critic Bob Graham, writing for the San Francisco Chronicle, liked the spirit of the film and the acting, even though he believes some of the dialogue was off, and he wrote, "Cut Duets some slack. The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 as The Daily Dramatic Chronicle by teenage brothers Charles de Young and Michael H This is an appealing, and ultimately moving, ensemble comedy/drama about ordinary folks whose one chance at anything resembling stardom is a karaoke contest. . . The fable style is a fragile one. The Ally McBeal test probably applies here. Ally McBeal is an American Television series which ran on the FOX network from 1997 to 2002 Fans of that show are likely to give themselves over to Duets, too. "[4]
Film critics Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, of the website Spirituality and Practice, liked the singing in the film and the screenplay and they wrote, "Part of the genuine pleasure in Duets is watching these six people experience the joy of singing in Karaoke bars. Equally notable is the clever screenplay by John Byrum that offers a scorching critique of the American way of life. The chief spokesperson for this is Todd whose belief in success and suburbia has been trashed. In one scene, he and Reggie lament that they have spent so much of their lives in small rooms: one is referring to his motel accommodations and the other to a prison cell. "[5]
Overall, a lot of critics echoed Stephanie Zacharek's review in Salon.com. Saloncom, part of Salon Media Group ( often just called Salon, is an online She wrote, "Its three interlocking stories don't find the right rhythmic balance, and some of the dialogue is stiff and mannered. " Yet Zacharek did praise the acting and the film's message. She added, "In that respect, the way Duets treats its characters is refreshing. There are brief moments when it reminds us that plenty of people enjoy karaoke at the expense of their audience (during one scene an Asian businessman warbles tunelessly in the background), but Duets isn't out to make anyone look ridiculous. "[6]
Distribution
The producers marketed the film using the following tagline:
- Six lost souls in search of a little harmony.
The film was first presented at the Toronto Film Festival on September 9, 2000. The Toronto International Film Festival ( TIFF) is a publicly-attended Film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. When released Duets suffered at the box-office. The first week's gross sales at the box-office was $2,002,588 (581 screens) and the total receipts for the run were $4,734,235.
In its widest release the film was featured in 583 theaters and the film was in circulation seven weeks. [7]The production budget was $16,000,000.
Release dates
- United States: September 15, 2000 (limited basis)
- United Kingdom: December 1, 2000
- New Zealand: January 18, 2001
- Australia: February 8, 2001
DVD
A DVD of the film was released on May 8, 2001 by Walt Disney Video. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is Events 589 - Reccared summons the Third Council of Toledo 1450 - Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen The DVD contained additional features: a commentary track by director Bruce Paltrow and producer Kevin Jones, additional scenes, conversations with director Bruce Paltrow, and a multi-angle music video of "Cruisin'. "
Soundtrack
An original motion picture soundtrack CD was released on September 12, 2000 by Hollywood Records. A Compact Disc (also known as a CD) is an Optical disc used to store digital data, originally developed for storing digital audio Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Hollywood Records is a Record label owned by the Walt Disney Company. The CD contained twelve tracks including the original music composed for the film by Randy Newman. Randall Stuart “Randy” Newman (born November 28 1943 is an Academy Award –winning American Singer/songwriter, arranger, Composer
The actors who sang their own tunes in the film, and included in the CD, are: Huey Lewis, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Giamanti, and Maria Bello. Arnold McCuller sings all of Andre Braugher's songs including Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird," performed a cappella. Arnold McCuller is an African American Singer from Cleveland, Ohio. Lynyrd Skynyrd (ˌlɛnɚdˈskɪnɝd is an American Southern rock band is a song by the American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was first featured on the band's debut album (pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd in 1973 and A cappella (Italian or Latin "From the chapel/choir" Music is Vocal music or Singing without instrumental Accompaniment
The soundtrack spawned two hit singles in Australia, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis' "Cruisin'" spending two weeks at #1 on the Australian singles chart, and Paltrow's "Bette Davis Eyes" peaking at #3. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. " Cruisin' " is a 1979 single written produced and recorded by Smokey Robinson for Motown Records ' Tamla label The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. " Bette Davis Eyes " is the name of a popular Song, best known for being performed by Kim Carnes.
The Canadian crooner Michael Bublé has a cameo singing "Strangers in the Night," but it is not included in the soundtrack. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Michael Steven Bublé (ˈbuːbleɪ or boo-BLAY (born 9 September, 1975) is a Canadian Big band singer and Actor. " Strangers in the Night " is a popular song made famous in 1966 by Frank Sinatra.
References
Notes
- ^ Duets at the Internet Movie Database.
- ^ Ebert, Roger. Chicago Sun-Times, film review, September 9, 2000. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Last accessed: December 12, 2007. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Turan, Kenneth. Kenneth Turan ( (b 27 October 1946) is an American Film critic and Lecturer in the Master of Professional Writing Program at the University Los Angeles Times, film review, "Nothing Much to Sing About," September 15, 2000.
- ^ Graham, Bob. San Francisco Chronicle, page C-3, "Ordinary Folks Find Their Voices, 'Duets' a fable set in karaoke bar," September 15, 2000. Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Brussat, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. Spirituality and Practice web site, September 2000.
- ^ Zacharek, Stephanie. Salon, film review, September 15, 2000. Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy.
- ^ The Numbers box office data. Last accessed: December 12, 2007.
External links
- Duets at the Internet Movie Database
- Duets at Allmovie
- Duets at Rotten Tomatoes
- Duets at Metacritic
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