Duets

Duets

Year: 2000

Runtime: 112 min

Language: English

Director: Bruce Paltrow

Budget: $21M

DramaComedyMusic

A group of eccentric individuals sets out to compete in Omaha's karaoke championships, with a $5,000 prize at stake. The group includes Ricky Dean, a charming con man looking to reconnect with his daughter Liv, and Todd, a weary salesman hoping for a fresh start. As they journey toward the competition, their individual struggles and vulnerabilities are revealed, creating a funny and heartwarming story about second chances and finding connection.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Duets yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Duets (2000)

Trace every key event in Duets (2000) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ricky's karaoke circuit and Las Vegas detour

Ricky Dean travels from town to town on the karaoke circuit, winning contests and side bets. A phone call detours him to Las Vegas for the funeral of an ex, shifting the pace of his week. This detour sets up the meetings and journeys that drive the rest of the story.

early in the week Various towns across the U.S.; Las Vegas, NV
2

Liv meets Ricky in Las Vegas and joins the road

In Las Vegas, Ricky meets his daughter Liv, from whom he has been estranged. Liv decides to join him on the road, seeking a father figure after her mother's death. They begin singing solos at karaoke bars along the way.

immediately after the funeral Las Vegas, NV; on the road
3

Ricky and Liv perform and face a bar fight

The road becomes a string of karaoke performances as Ricky and Liv belt out solos in towns along the way. Their bond grows through shared performances and banter in front of crowds. A tense bar fight erupts when one of Ricky's marks retaliates.

on the road (after Las Vegas detour) Various towns along the road
4

Todd returns home and heads to New Mexico karaoke bar

Todd Woods, a burned-out California salesman, returns home only to find his family distant and unwelcoming. He wanders into a karaoke bar in New Mexico, where another contestant offers beta blockers to ease his anxiety.

early journey after leaving California New Mexico
5

Beta blockers lure Todd deeper into the road

Todd accepts the pills and quickly becomes hooked as he keeps driving. His grip on reality starts to fray as the road stretches before him.

ongoing along the journey On the road toward Utah
6

Todd befriends Reggie Kane in Utah

In Utah, Todd picks up hitchhiker Reggie Kane, a charismatic but violent fugitive who recently robbed a truck driver. They form an uneasy friendship after a duet in a karaoke bar reveals Reggie's surprising singing voice.

during the road trip Utah
7

Violence erupts: hotel confrontation and service-station standoff

Reggie's criminal past spills into danger as he drags Todd from a hotel after a confrontation with a clerk. A standoff at a service station ends with Reggie shooting and killing the attendant. Todd's alignment with his new life remains fragile.

after meeting Reggie Utah (hotel and service station)
8

Candy sent to Omaha; Todd rejects the past

Reggie arranges for Candy, Todd's wife, to meet them in Omaha, hoping to pull him back into his old life. Todd rejects the reunion, declaring he is finished with his former life. The looming Omaha contest becomes the next focal point.

before reaching Omaha Omaha, NE (en route to Omaha)
9

Billy's Cincinnati arc and road to California

Billy, a Cincinnati cab driver who once dreamed of priesthood, heads into a drinking binge after catching his partner cheating. He meets Suzi Loomis, a broke drifter who survives on karaoke winnings and favors, and agrees to drive her toward California, stopping at karaoke bars along the way.

early in the week Cincinnati; en route to California
10

Three pairs converge on Omaha for the big contest

All three pairs arrive in Omaha, each having earned a shot at $5,000 after winning smaller-town contests. The city hums with anticipation as contestants prepare for the showdown.

end of the week Omaha, NE
11

Omaha contest: Ricky and Liv duet; Suzi's stage fright

At the Omaha contest, Ricky invites Liv to sing a duet of her mother's favorite song, Cruisin'. Billy helps Suzi confront her stage fright, nudging her to perform. The crowd holds its breath as the performers step into the spotlight.

during the contest Omaha, NE (contest stage)
12

Reggie's on-stage gunfire and police response

Mid-contest, Reggie belts out an a cappella version of Free Bird, then pulls a gun onstage and is shot by police. The shooting is pinned on Reggie, clearing Todd to return to his family. The riot of events leaves everyone shaken and changing their paths.

during the contest Omaha, NE (contest stage)
13

Post-Omaha detour to Nevada and onward

With Reggie dead and Todd cleared, Billy and Suzi press on toward California. Billy invites Liv and Ricky to join them for a detour to another karaoke contest in Nevada.

after Omaha On the road to California; Nevada
14

Todd and Candy fly home

Todd and Candy use his frequent-flyer miles to fly home together, signaling a fragile reconciliation. The week ends with the families plotting their next steps while life begins to settle, if only barely.

after Omaha Home

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

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Duets Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Duets

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Duets

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