Karaoke Freedom
Source: movieposter.com
Year: 2000
Running Time: 122 minutes
I love karaoke and I love Gwyneth Paltrow (defying the haters who find her pretentious and unlikeable), so a film about karaoke starring Gwyneth Paltrow is bound to be a hit with me. Directed by Gwyneth's dad, Bruce, this film follows the interconnected stories of several amateur singers who travel through the United States to a huge karaoke competition in Omaha, Nebraska and learn a lot about themselves and each other on the way.
The film begins at the Tri-State Karaoke Play-offs, somewhere in Tulsa, with local champion Ronnie Jackson singing his heart out in a red sequins jacket. He is hustled by Ricky Dean, played by Huey Lewis, who selects a Joe Cocker song that wins the audience over and the bet he made with Ronnie. Ricky gets a call to say that one of his old flames has passed away, so he travels to Las Vegas where he meets his long-lost daughter, Liv, played by Gwyneth. She shows up in a cow print mini-skirt and a choker, which is her signature accessory throughout the film. Her Gradma demands that Ricky step up and be a father to her.
Liv is desperate for her father to acknowledge her and he finally does feel a connection to his daughter when he sees her singing Bette Davis Eyes, which is one of the best parts of the film. Gwyneth is mesmerising in her floral two-piece outfit, clapping her hands in time to the signature clapping bits of the song, while her voice is on point.
Then there is Todd Woods (Paul Giamatti), a confused and disorganised salesman. He longs to escape suburbia, which he describes as "mental jail". An aside: keep an eye out for his wife's super cool laptop from the late 90s. Todd goes out "for a pack of cigarettes" but just keeps driving and ends up in a karaoke bar. His first attempt starts off a little shaky but soon his beta blockers kick in, the jacket comes off and he has the crowd cheering in support.
Reggie Kane (Andre Braugher) was in prison for "an error in judgement" and soon after his release, meets a reckless Todd, "flying on freedom", who is driving along a deserted road. Todd offers Reggie a ride to Chicago but they find themselves in yet another karaoke bar where they perform a powerful rendition of Try a Little Tenderness. However, Todd soon goes off the rails, shooting up hotel lobbies and robbing gas stations, effectively making them both fugitives.
Then there is the cab driver, Billy (Scott Speedman), who insists that he is not an underachiever and whose girlfriend is sleeping with his business partner . Really? Who is going to cheat on Scott Speedman with a balding middle-aged man? While drowning his sorrows he meets Suzi Loomis, played by Mario Bello, who needs to get to California and offers to be "real nice" to Billy in exchange for him driving her in his cab. He reluctantly agrees but rejects her sexual advances. However, his feelings about Suzi change as their roadtrip progresses, especially when he sees her perform I can't make you love me.
All of the characters end up in Omaha for a high-stakes karaoke contest, with prize money of $5000. Maya Rudolph is the contest's hostess while a still unknown Michael Buble makes an appearance as a contestant performing Strangers in the Night. Mario Bello owns the stage in a sequins mini-dress and feather boa singing the Eurythmics' Sweet Dreams. Ricky calls Liv up onto the stage for the film's stand-out song, Cruisin'. Reggie takes to the stage for an acapella song that leaves everyone speechless before the contest, and the film, come to an abrupt and dramatic end.
Like karaoke, this film is a fun way to spend an evening and should not be taken too seriously. The film features a great selection of songs and the vocal performances of the cast are solid, making the soundtrack a necessary addition to your collection.
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