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Something's Gotta Give Customer Reviews (55 - 57 of 121 Reviews)

Cluttered & Too Long, but Charming & Hilarious Nonetheless.
Harry (Jack Nicholson) and his much younger girlfriend Marin (Amanda Peet) plan to spend a romantic weekend at Marin's family home in the Hamptons. But their plans go awry when Marin's mother Erica (Diane Keaton) and her aunt Zoe (Frances McDormand) show up unexpectedly. The couple is further foiled when Harry has a heart attack in Marin's arms. As Harry is unfit to travel, Erica reluctantly allows him to stay in her home while he recuperates. Erica, who is an accomplished playwright and 50-something divorcee, and Harry, an aging confirmed bachelor who has always confined his romantic aspirations to women half Erica's age, find themselves both attracted to and repulsed by one another. And the friction between them may ignite an unexpected spark.

Let me first say that "Something's Gotta Give" elicited more laughs in the movie theater than any film in my memory. It's a good time at the movies. It's too bad that the movie runs too long and doesn't maintain its charm through the third act. It would be nice if the audience could leave the theater in as good a mood as they experienced for the first two-thirds of the movie. At about 2 hours long, "Something's Gotta Give" is too long for a romantic comedy. It has a few subplots and a few acts too many. The film is charming enough and paced well enough to overcome it, but a tighter script would have done wonders. And although most of the film is hilarious, it loses a lot of its charm and humor after the action moves from the Hamptons to New York city.

The comedy and romance in "Something's Gotta Give" are, of course, derived from the notion that women of a certain age have a terrible time finding suitable men because the desirable men in that demographic date much-younger women. That's funny stuff, but it often seems like writer/director Nancy Meyers is trying to do more than entertain. She waves the older-women-can't-get-dates and older-men-who-date-younger-women-are-scum flags a little too high. And the repeated assertion that both old and young women are somehow victims of these aging Casanovas is insulting and, dare I say, inaccurate. This is a comedy; why not simply see the humor in the situation? It would be fine if the film said nothing. But mixed messages are a nuisance. Harry is chided for constantly cavorting with younger women, while Erica is congratulated when she does approximately the same thing. And why are these people so preoccupied with the age of their mates anyway? It's tiresome.

"Something's Gotta Give" is undeniably funny but far from perfect. Erica's neuroses wear thin after a while. Harry is lovable when he's lecherous, but trying when he's earnest. The film is too long. I didn't for a moment believe that Harry and Erica were actually compatible, but romantic comedies are contrived by definition. But ultimately a comedy is required only to be funny in order to succeed. And two thirds of "Something's Gotta Give" is laugh-out-loud funny. Jack Nicholson deserves a lot of credit for being willing to look like a fool -and an old fool at that. There's some terrific physical comedy. I like the decision to use brief nudity for comic effect. And Keanu Reeves does a nice job as a very handsome doctor who pursues Erica. It would have been better if some of the clutter had been cleared out, but smart writing and no-holds-barred performances make "Something's Gotta Give" a funny and enjoyable film for just about everyone.

"Something" Special
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2004--How wonderful that the most entertaining romantic comedy in years is actually based around two old folks--namely Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. But don't let the ages fool ya, cuz this on-screen couple has more sizzle than any recent pairing of perfectly-coiffed twentysomethings. The clever story (by director Nancy Meyers) revolves around a 60-something record mogul (Nicholson) stuck at the beautiful summer home of a lovely 50-something playwright (Keaton) after suffering a mild, pre-coitus heart attack. The catch? The mogul, Harry, was actually seducing the daughter (Amanda Peet) of the writer, Erica, at the time of the episode. However, once the daughter is out of the picture (she goes out of town on business), a little something begins to develop between Harry and Erica, and how lucky we moviegoers are. The playful, generous chemistry between Nicholson and Keaton is some of the most engaging ever presented on film. Here are two actors, years and years of various films under their belts, who understand the necessity of working together in a performance. Each time Jack reels it in to let Diane shine, she does so magnificently. Of course, Ol' Jack's given plenty of chances to light up the screen himself, especially in some memorable comedy bits. But honestly, the film belongs to Keaton, who is at her most energetic in years, yet in a very relaxed, confident way. She dives into the role and gives it her all, at turns strong, funny, vulnerable and truly sexy. It's easy to see why Harry's young cardiologist (a for-once likable Keanu Reeves) falls for her. In a year practically devoid of stand-out comedy performances by women (excluding the fine Jamie Lee Curtis), Keaton's rises to the level of Oscar-worthy. "Something's Gotta Give" is a gem, with two fantastic performances by two old pros, who are certainly no worse for the wear.

Irresistible Jack and Diane's Not Bad Either
The movie begins with Jack Nicholson cavorting around with a younger girl, Amanda Peet. BUT, they did not have (sex!) mind you. They are staying at her family's weekend home in the Hamptons, and who walks in other than Mom, Diane Keaton, a famous playwright. Initially, she is convinced that Jack is a prowler, but he eventually convinces her otherwise. Jack suddenly has a cardiac arrest, and is cared for by Dr. Keanu Reeves. Diane and Amanda (her daughter) and Frances McDormand all go to the hospital to be by Jack's side. Dr. Keanu tells Jack he needs some TLC and to stay close to the hospital while recuperating. Since Amanda has to go back home to the city Diane ends up being Jack's nurse. In the meantime, Dr. Keanu has fallen for Ms. Diane, who is 20 years his senior. Initially, it seems that Jack and Diane can't stand each other. Eventually, their romantic feelings for each other become evident and Amanda breaks up with Jack, leaving the door open for Mom. After a Sunday full-o-intercourse, Diane is head over heels for Jack, who unfortunately can't get over his old "younger women only" ways. She decides over her better judgement to go for Keanu, but in the end, the fences are mended and true love prevails. Overall, a cute, tidy movie with some interesting twists. A bit predictable in that someone with Jack's history of chasing younger women leaves Diane out to dry. And, there is the also somewhat predictable fairytale ending when the two meet again, after he decides to no longer retain his little black books. Jack and Diane do have a great on-screen chemistry, however.

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