An edgy slice-of-life with vocals to boot

Duets. We all saw the trailer and we went. What we got was not what we expected. I went because I wanted to see Huey Lewis sing with Gwyneth Paltrow. I wanted to hear Paltrow sing, period, and see if that heavenly voice was really hers. Now, whether you liked what you got when you went to the theatre is another story. I loved it. I loved it more than I would have if it had been as cheesy as a karaoke movie could have ended up being. This movie definitely has some edge. You need to have the open mind.

Although Paltrow and Lewis are the "stars" of this film, I have to cast my attention to the borderline over-the-top Todd, played by Paul Giamatti. This character was a riot. Underappreciated to the extreme, he finally snaps and tells his self-absorbed wife and kids that he is "going out for a cigarette". He doesn't smoke. Instead he embarks on an adventure that eventually leads him to be teamed up with Andre Braugher's Reggie. Their "adventures", both in and out of the karaoke arena, are touching, funny, explosive, entertaining and insightful. Their dialogue really held my attention. The culmination of their association was predictable to me, but still stays with you after the movie's end.

Paltrow and Lewis also have an interesting storyline, as a father/daughter duo that really ISN'T a duo. Lewis is abrasive, as he should be in this role, and I am convinced he got the part for his singing, not his acting.
Paltrow is un-typically naive in this film and that also can grate, but still, the big picture is the point in their storyline. They don't disappoint, and the vocals (yes it IS her) on "Cruisin" makes the whole $7.50 admission worth it.

Scott Speedman (also setting teeny-bopper's hearts a-flutter as Ben on the WB's Felicity)delivers nicely in this film as the doormat cab-driver boyfriend who decides to find his spine (but not his voice) and make a stand. His pairing with Maria Bello (remember her on E.R?) is hardly romantic, but it does have purpose. She is touted in this movie as some karaoke star, and in my opinion she has the weakest voice in the whole ensemble.

Without summarizing too much, these characters eventually meet at a karaoke contest with a coveted $5000 purse. What happens from there is classified - you'll have to see the movie.

I am befuddled at all the negative reviews. This movie left me feeling really good. I think it's the same people who won't get up and SING a song (and yes you'd better believe I would) that can't enjoy this movie. Stop mocking and get over your insecurities. This movie was a hoot! Sit back, laugh and enjoy the music.