Maybe John Byrum's original drafts were better, but in the film now slipping ever so quickly out of your local multiplex, the platitudes come thick and fast. ''We're family, Daddy,'' Gwyneth has to whine to her estranged pop (Huey Lewis), a small time hustler who tricks people into betting against him in barroom singing competitions. ''I've waited my whole LIFE to spend time with you.''
It helps a little that Paltrow looks like she's having a ball playing a lanky need case partial to funky miniskirts. She sings charmingly and speaks her lines like she's imitating Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe on ''Friends.'' But despite equally game efforts by Paul Giamatti as a salesman on a bender and Andre Braugher as an ex-con with a fine voice, the material is beyond salvage. These actors had about as much chance of making art out of ''Duets'' as Celine Dion would if you handed her the sheet music for ''Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.''
Add your comment
The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.