Something's Gotta Give

It's an enjoyable story with interesting characters who were all spoiled by over-acting. And then there's the times where it's got more cheese than Switzerland.

This movie took me by surprise, I wasn't sure if I could handle watching old actors getting it on but this movie turned out to be a great romantic comedy. Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton always give their 100% best in their performances, they did a great job in their roles. It would have been nice to see more input from Frances McDormand and Keanu Reeves, but otherwise I really enjoyed the movie.

Movie shows genuine emotional journey of both genders in their post 50's life. Experiencing love for a second time with much confused ideologies. Wonderful script, direction, performances, bgm, locations. Movies just eats the time away. Save if for a nice breezy and cold weekend.

I'm pretty sure I saw this in the theaters when it first came out (21 years ago). I don't remember enjoying it nearly as much as I did this time around. Maybe the "old jokes" just didn't land in my mid-30s like they did now that I'm old enough to appreciate them (or is it, be the brunt of them). Or maybe it's because being in love in the second half of your life is different than when there are more years ahead of you then behind you.

Either way, I thought this was a solid rom-com with some laugh out loud moments. Sure, there are some cliche moments too (like the writer turning her real life into art, and of course the overused bumping-into-someone-in-the-restaurant trope, c'mon writers there are thousands of restaurants in New York City; this can't happen THAT often) that keep this from being a great movie, but I give it a solid 7 rating.

Besides the two leads (Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton), there are great supporting roles from Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet, Jon Favreau and the always brilliant Frances McDormand.

The teaming of Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in Warren Beatty's "Reds" back in 1981 was only given a minute glimpse. The glimpse though turned out to be some of the best parts of a very excellent movie. A film with these two living legends was destined for greatness and that prediction comes to reality in writer/director Nancy Meyers' "Something's Gotta Give". Nicholson is a brash and sometimes quietly obnoxious success from New York who has made a life out of chasing 20- and 30-something year-old girls. He and his newest girlfriend (Amanda Peet) get along really well. They decide to go out to Peet's mother's (Keaton) beach-house outside of the city to consummate their relationship. Of course just as everything looks perfect, Keaton (a noted playwright) and younger sister Frances McDormand (in another wonderful turn) barge in and spoil the fun. All seem a little uncomfortable and you can cut the tension between Nicholson and Keaton with a knife. Before you know it, Nicholson suffers a heart attack and all hell breaks loose. He is rushed to the doctor in the nick of time, but now Keaton has to nurse him back to health at her home. Nicholson's doctor (a good performance by Keanu Reeves, getting away from his stupid "Matrix" films) soon falls in love with Keaton who is totally oblivious to his feelings. And before you know it Keaton's warmth, smile, personality, heart and intelligence eventually wins Nicholson over as well. But you all know about Nicholson's relationships with women (in real life and the movies). Is he ready to fall in love for the first time in his life and make a true commitment? Or will his antics end up making matters worse for all involved (Keaton in particular, who becomes someone you don't want to see get hurt)? "Something's Gotta Give" is a film I really liked a lot. The old-time Hollywood style of the 1940s is very prevalent here in a 2000s package. Nicholson and Keaton, what can you say? They are arguably the two finest performers living today and they do end up feeding off each other's astronomical talents throughout. Sometimes something eventually gives in Hollywood these days, but I am happy to say that it never happens with this product. 4.5 out of 5 stars.