Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageDuets (2000)
Director: Bruce Paltrow
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Three odd couples are headed for a $5,000 Grand Prize Karaoke Contest in Omaha, Nebraska: an estranged father and daughter (Lewis and Paltrow); milksop cabbie and ballsy waitress (Speedman and Bello); disillusioned businessman and ex-con (Giamatti and Braugher). The film aims for the fragmented, kooky sharpness of Short Cuts but quickly dissolves into offensive mush. As for the cast, they're overstretched. Lewis looks uncomfortable in the acting scenes, while Braugher is made to appear foolish by a singing voice that's clearly been enhanced. Giamatti also deserves better: a delightful cross between Nicolas Cage and Mr Magoo, he jitters for America but can't make sense of his character's ludicrous mood swings. Only Gwyneth is left looking smug. The headgirl of ick, she makes an implausible showgirl. But she can carry a tune and, if this were karaoke night, she'd cart off any medals going.Author: CO'Su
Cast & crew
Director: Bruce Paltrow
Producer: Kevin Jones, Bruce Paltrow, John Byrum
Cast: Maria Bello, André Braugher, Paul Giamatti, Huey Lewis, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scott Speedman, Marian Seldes, Kiersten Warren full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Duration: 114 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now