Duets: Critic Reviews

Every so often a movie comes along that's bad in such original and unexpected ways that it inspires an almost admiring fascination.

A conceptual train wreck.

The press notes say the director spent five years developing Duets. He should have developed it more.

Happily for all, director Bruce Paltrow approaches the sing-along world of karaoke with an affectionate but mildly satiric eye.

Duets will be most appreciated by music buffs. The actual karaoke scenes attain the bounce that's missing from the rest of the film.

To their credit, [Byrum and Paltrow] attempted to make a movie of ideas. Alas, many of the ideas are bad. Not to mention bigoted.

The talented cast doesn't stand much of a chance in this rambling, pointless narrative, reeling off such howlers as: 'I've waited all my life to spend time with you.'

Watching Duets, you sense the small-screen calculations in John Byrum's script.

It sometimes sings off-key, but at least it sings proud.

Duets is a clumsily constructed motion picture that could have been a lot better with a tighter and more focused script.

There are too many characters, subplots and themes going on at the same time, so it's hard to connect with any of them.

In addition to its other shortcomings, Duets is awfully slow in getting going.

A not very good adult movie about adult issues.

"Duets" is a frustratingly mediocre road movie that connects three unlikely pairs of people in the much maligned phenomenon of Karaoke singing as a metaphor for "finding the meaning of life" by sharing their interpretations of pop songs.

And the director's Oscar-winning daughter? Never did I ever think she could ever be so annoying.

I couldn't have karaoked less about it.

Duets does the impossible - it makes karaoke seem interesting.

A strange combination of road movie, sitcom and "Razor's Edge"-style philosophical drama, "Duets" looks at six unhappy people who are brought together by their love of karaoke. Yes, karaoke.

I could write a whole book about how sublime Paul Giamatti is, how he carries the film, how he believably transforms himself into a total K-dawg!

Largely a missed opportunity and a waste of talent.

Delivers considerably more than the premise promises.

Some of these characters are interesting enough to keep your attention on the movie between songs. The soundtrack is full of great music and songs.

It's like a white platter party for people scared of rap music.

It's mostly a well-acted, atmospheric little ensemble piece that says something about the soulless center of American society and the karaoke subculture in particular.

What gives the movie most of its charm is not the shopworn, sentimental story but the surprisingly good singing by one of Hollywood's greats, Gwyneth Paltrow.