Something's Gotta Give [2004]

As long as old pals Nicholson and Keaton are on screen discussing their dilemma or discovering their mutual desire, Something's Gotta Give is terrific, proving (in case anyone had forgotten) that Hollywood can and should aim for an older demographic. Meyers falls short with the sitcom device of a younger lover (Keanu Reeves) who wants Keaton as much as Nicholson does; it's believable but shallow and too easily dismissed. She also skimps on supporting roles for Frances McDormand, Amanda Peet and Jon Favreau, but thankfully this is one romantic comedy that doesn't pander to youth. Mature viewers, rejoice! --Jeff Shannon

The movie explores the significance of older people in romance and how they are stereotypically portrayed.

Diane Keaton secured a Golden Globe and so far an Oscar Nomination for this role when this review was written.

The Acting was superb with exceptionall direction by Nancy Meyers who also wrote the script.

I hope this helps for information fo the movie.


Must see movie   February 20, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

The chemistry on screen between Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton is magical. This has to be one of the funniest films I have seen. Adding in Keanu Reeves was a spot of genius. This film follows the feelings, ups and downs of two people who are not really in to relationships. How they come to like each other was I feel very well orchestrated. People of all ages will like this film however the forty-somethings and upwards will really appreciate the one liners and be able to read in between the lines. Very funny with a touch of sadness very well balanced. You will want to see it again and again!!!


Be totally charmed by this warm romcom!   May 4, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I saw this film on a plane coming back from New York and laughed out loud all the way home, to the chagrin of other flyers who were trying to have a kip! Diane Keaton plays a successful playright whose 30-year old daughter is dating a mysogynistic older man (Jack Nicholson) who has to take Viagra. After suffering a heart attack, he stays at their beachside house for a while to recuperate while the daughter swans off to the city, leaving the pair of them alone in the house while Keaton tries to write her next play. Their clashing viewpoints on life make for a number of hilarious set pieces that culminate in their falling in love. This is a lovely, warm and clever romantic comedy which explores attitudes around ageing. Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson are both superb in their roles and prove that the more mature actor can still have widespread appeal. I don't believe this film is only aimed at mature age groups - I am 29 and thought it was brilliant. Highly recommended.


And who said romance was dead?   June 24, 2004
Mrs. B. S. Bevis (Sleaford, Lincolnshire United Kingdom)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

Something's Gotta Give (12A)
Director: Nancy Meyers, 2003, USA, 128 minutes

Cast: Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet, Frances McDormand

An enjoyable, feel-good movie in the 'Sleepless in Seattle' genre, Something's Gotta Give follows the age-old 'boy meets/loses/regains girl' formula - but with one main difference; the 'boy' is Harry Sanborn (Nicholson) an ageing and shallow playboy who seemingly has only one aim in life - seducing beautiful young woman. And the 'girl' is Erica Berry (Keaton), a divorced, 50-something successful writer with a non-existent love life. While Erica's youthful love-interest (Reeves) and her lovely daughter (Peet) remain mostly in the background providing pretty props for Harry and Erica, who steal the show with witty asides and sly, side-ling glances - behaviour one would not normally associate with middle-aged people... but why not? Love and sexual attraction doesn't end at 40, as this film sets out to prove.

As one would expect with Oscar nominees of Nicholson's and Keaton's calibre, there is strong on-screen chemistry between the two main characters, which is further enforced by a clever script. There are laughter lines and grey hairs a-plenty, plus a dickey heart and viagra, thrown in for good measure. But this does nothing to spoil the viewer's belief that, despite their advancing years, these two really could get it together!

The story begins when Marin (Peet) brings her wealthy, but elderly, boyfriend Harry back to her mother's beach house (and what a beach house!), for what he obviously hopes will be a 'dirty weekend'. But her mom and aunt (McDormand) arrive back in time to put paid to any such ideas.

Put out by mom's presence and not in the best of health, thanks to a decedent lifestyle, Harry suddenly suffers a heart attack, and it falls upon the reluctant Erica to play nursemaid to him. It is during this enforced togetherness that we see their attitudes about each other begin to slowly change. And both of them seem genuinely surprised when they end up in bed together.

But it is a relationship that doesn't quite know which direction to take, and a handsome young doctor (Reeves) is quicker than Harry to recognise Erica's attributes and starts to court her.

Harry moves on - in body, if not in mind - as he tries to return to his normal routine. But it doesn't prove as easy forgetting Erica as he had at first thought. Meanwhile, Erica is busy venting her mixed-up emotions on paper and Harry becomes the focal figure in a play about their romance.

The play becomes a huge hit for Erica, and she appears to be coping well with Harry's absence from her life till he turns up at the play, angry at having become the laughing stock of the theatre world. Erica denies that Henry (the central character), is actually Harry, and admits that he's killed off at the end of the play as it's "funnier!". An indignant Harry exits her life for a second time.

We move forward, but Harry can't. And it is in a restaurant in Paris where they meet up again. Erica is on birthday trip they planned in bed, way back. But she's not alone, as Harry had hoped. It all becomes too much for him and he leaves the restaurant a broken man. Erica quickly comes to the rescue...

Directed by Nancy Meyer, who also wrote the story with the two leading actors in mind. Nicholson, a notorious womaniser himself, is cast to perfection, with none of his genius of facial expression missed. And Keaton's gentle warmth, with an appealing mixture of maturity and vulnerability, makes her his perfect co-star. Together, they soon have you seeing past the crinkles and silver hair to believe that it really is possible for an arrogant and selfish batchelor to be redeemed by love. In the end, something's gotta give... and it does, with style!

Beautifully filmed and accompanied by some delightful French melodies, this film is a must for all die-hard romantics, young and old!