Great tunes, soap-operish subplots

Rated R

Directed by: Bruce Paltrow

Ok, well, I’m guess I’m going against the grain here. I did actually like this movie. Maybe the fact that I don’t get out to see a lot of movies has something to do with it? I wouldn’t give it any awards, but there were enough one liners and good singing to make this movie worth seeing.

I will say up front that I only saw this movie because our first choice was sold out.

This movie is simply about the hobby/way of life called karaoke. There are several subplots, all moving toward the final scene. Everyone is trying to get to Nebraska to compete for the $5000 prize in a karaoke contest.

The movie starts with Ricky Dean played by Huey Lewis. He plays the deadbeat who works the circuit, conning and hustling at every new city. Suddenly, he gets a call and he’s at the funeral of an ex-girlfriend. Down the stairs of the funeral home walks a lanky girl, from afar not easily recognized, but whoa baby! It’s a whiny, 19ish girl being played by none other than Gweneth Paltrow. I almost choked when I saw what they did to poor Gweneth! Ricky’s got some impure motives toward Liv at first until he finds out she’s the daughter he never knew about. Ricky leaves her behind, only to be confronted by her and followed endlessly by the child only wishing to reconnect with dear old deadbeat dad. Liv jumps in and tries to ingratiate herself to dad by helping him con innocent victims in the town to come. In the end Liv manages to worm her way into dear old dad’s heart.

The second set of characters involve Paul Giamatti playing Todd Woods, an overworked traveling salesman who essentially loses it and throws in the towel. Ignored by his family and traveling so often that he doesn’t know what city he’s in, he meets up with Reggie Kane. Reggie, played by Andre Braugher, is an ex-con. After quite a long time and a lot of nonsense conversations between the two, Todd figures out that Reggie is a bad guy. They sing well together though, so Todd’s gonna stick with him!

The third set of characters is Suzi, played by Maria Bello and Billy, played by Scott Speedman. This sub-plot leaves quite a bit to be desired. Suzi is consumed with her one desire of making it to Omaha for the $5000 purse and basically kidnaps Billy, telling him that he’s taking her whether he likes it or not. Suzi will do anything to get what she wants, including sexual favors.

These 3 character sets are sewn together, more like a soap opera and less than a movie. Maybe that’s why I liked it so much!

I don’t want to give the ending away, but I will say that Gweneth and Huey sang an incredible duet together in the end that left me thinking, holy cow! She can really sing! Overall, the music in this film make it something to see. This movie is about dreams and making them come true. Liv gets to know her father, Suzi gets to sing in the finals, and Todd gets his much needed break from his back-breaking world.