Low Expectations = Enjoyable Movie

For those of us that cannot or simply choose not to sing, karaoke may have been the most absurd invention in the history of entertainmnet. Most karaoke takes place in bars, which is absolutely necessary since those listening and watching the 'entertainers' will need some imbibing fluids in our system to remain sane. Ironic, isn't it?

Nevertheless, "Duets" takes us on an odd journey into the karaoke world and the lives of many strangers whose paths all lead to Omaha, Nebraska, for the high stakes grand prize in a nationwide karaoke contest. (Funny, they never had any of these contests at the Western Place I went to!)

Usually, a movie like this may be predictable, because with a prize like this at hand the audience will tend to have their favorites and know who'll walk away the winner. However, the pleasant thing about this movie is that by the ultimate showdown, I was not necessarily rooting for any of the characters to win but rather did not want any of them to lose. It's not every movie you find a connection with a fugitive criminal, a corporate salesmen in the midst of a midlife crisis, a cheesy character played by Huey Lewis (need I say anymore?), a Las Vegas dancer, an underachieving half owner of a cab, and a shameless woman on her way to the classic 'life in California.'

Duets, directed by Bruce Paltrow, is not going to win many awards. Even though the karaoke setting was successfully utilized in an entertaining and surprising storyline, the acting isn't the greatest and the sound quality at the karaoke performances is much too good to be a believable real life atmosphere. The relationship between the salesmen (Paul Giamatti) and the criminal is by far the most critical and revealing relationship in the movie. These two characters made me laugh the most and think the most.

Really, the best compliment for this movie may be the fact that I left the theater singing, and I do not like to sing. So, the movie must have been effective, because one of the underlying themes is that society has become too inhibited, too busy to enjoy the real important things and to express themselves freely. It's a movie, albeit with many cliches, about the trappings of the 'American Dream' and the pursuit of true freedom. In the end, you might be surprised that a dark and goofy movie about karaoke was actually not a bad flick at all.