STARS: ** �
DIRECTOR: Bruce Paltrow
PRINCIPLE CAST:
Huey Lewis
Gwyneth Paltrow
Paul Giamatti
Maria Bello
Scott Speedman
Andre Braugher
TAGLINE: Six lost souls in search of a little harmony.
Ok, here�s a basic summary on what I thought of this film: I like it, but not enough to recommend it to everyone. The story follows three couples, or duets, as they use karaoke as a way to solve all their problems. This all comes to an ultimate karaoke competition at the end of the film.
The first couple is a father and daughter who meet for the first time after the mother in the situation dies, united at the funeral. The father, Huey Lewis, does not want to be a father, but that does not stop his daughter from being his daughter. She even goes as far as to fly to another state and get a hotel room next door in trying to strike up the bond.
The second couple is a made up of basically the nicest guy on earth and the most promiscuous thing alive. The nice guy, Scott Speedman, is a cabbie who was going to be a priest but quit before he could fully complete. The slut, Maria Bello, is a woman dissatisfied with the world, so she escapes through singing and gives blow jobs to get what she wants. After the cabbie comes home early to discover his girlfriend is cheating on him with his co-cab owner, he runs off to a bar where he meets the tramp.
The last couple is a businessman distraught with his family and society and an escaped felon. The businessman, Paul Giamatti, ends up in the wrong state trying to close a business deal and comes home to receive comfort from a family that could care less he was missing. So, he goes out to �buy a pack of cigarettes� and discovers karaoke. He drives and drives until he meets the convict, Andre Brauhger. Together the two travel and win karaoke contests. In an odd turn of events, the felon actually changes the businessman�s life for the better, a twisted guardian angel sort of situation.
I honestly have no problem with this story. Some may think that it becomes to dark, but I think a brutal view does this film better justice than if it had been a lighthearted comedy. The touches of reality attach you more to the characters.
I have no problem with the performances. I never knew Huey Lewis could act, but he does a damn good job. I was never a huge fan of Gwyneth Paltrow, but she is very good. Andre Braugher is a personal favorite of mine. And Paul Giamatti is just plain entertaining, as are Maria Bello and Scott Speedman.
I do not even have a problem with the soundtrack. Personally I think it is rather good, especially the interpretations of �Freebird� and my personal favorite, the Paltrow/Lewis version of Smokey Robinson�s �Cruisin�.�
The biggest gripe I have with this film is the direction. Bruce Paltrow, though he may be good on television with shows like �St. Elsewhere,� I do not know, just does not capture a scene correctly. When background music should be used, he does not put any in the scene, and vice versa. And at times, the music that is used does not match the scene (I am talking about the score, not the karaoke songs). This is basically my only problem with the movie, but I do emphasize the use of music in film, so it is something I hold very important and judge harshly.
Overall, the film is not bad. It is actually pretty good. And the soundtrack is wonderful as well. With a little reworking and editing, this film could have been great, but it fumbles a bit from some problems.
