"Something's Gotta Give"
Sexagenarian playboy Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) travels to the Hamptons to spend the weekend with his latest under thirty something infatuation, Marin (Amanda Peet), staying at her mother's luxurious beach house. When mom, playwright Erica Barry (Diane Keaton), shows up with her sister Zoe (Frances McDormand), Harry makes plans to leave. But, not before he has heart attack and comes under Erica's care in "Something's Gotta Give."
Writer-turned-director Nancy Meyers has always had a penchant for hitting the right button for the movie going general public from her debut scribing with "Private Benjamin" to the international box office hit, her sophomore directing effort, "What Women Want," starring Mel Gibson. Meyers's works have always had good chick appeal but not a filmmaking style that normally interests me. Her characters are of the typical Hollywood variety, usually wealthy and without any of the cares of us mere mortals. "Something's Gotta Give" looks to be more of the same, but with a difference.
Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton positively sparkle in their characters of Harry and Erica. In typical Meyers's fashion, he is a well-to-do businessman and the owner of 10 companies. She is a divorced, extremely successful playwright whose work is the toast of Broadway. Harry likes his women young, preferably under 30 years old, but he has a heart attack at the start of fooling around with pretty (young) Marin. He ends up in the hospital where handsome Dr. Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves) orders him to bed rest and absolutely not take the long trip back to New York. The medico, a huge fan of Erica's plays, makes no bones about his interest in her on a personal level.
Erica is convinced, against her will, to let Harry stay with her until he is well enough to travel. Once ensconced in the guest bedroom Harry tries to have things his way as usual but not if equally strong-willed Erica has things her way. She is the mistress of her castle and he has to follow the rules, like no smoking in the house. She immerses herself in her latest play and he in his recuperation but, slowly and surely, the walls come down between them. Erica learns that there is more to the lifelong cradle-robbing bachelor than she first thought and finds that romance is not a thing of the past. Harry finally realizes that there is more to a woman than youthful beauty as he, too, discovers love and real companionship for the first time.
Jack Nicholson still has that trademark devilish gleam in his eye but there is also a comedic maturity that he exhibited in "About Schmidt." In "Something's Gotta Give" there is a believable character, in Harry, beneath the glamour. Nicholson is game for the slapstick elements as well as the romance. Diane Keaton still carries a hint of her Annie Hall persona but shows a degree of assured maturity as an actress and she carries herself with grace and dignity. She, too, gives her all - make that "bares her all" - in a quick scene of mutual embarrassment with Harry. The couple also provides some of the best on screen kisses.
Supporting cast is, basically, just there, with one exception. Frances McDormand, as Erica's women's studies professor at Columbia and sister steals the show when she is on camera. Her fast-talking, fast-thinking Zoe is a vibrant breath of fresh air and the actress takes the character far beyond the expected cliche. Keanu Reeves is eye candy for the femmes, especially the more appreciative over 30 crowd, who enjoy a good romantic comedy and a handsome and sensitive character like Dr. Julian. Amanda Peet is perky as Marin but there is not much for her to do opposite her veteran costars.
Production techs are first rate with Erica's Hamptons home beautifully reproduced on a Hollywood sound stage by Jon Hutman. Michael Ballhaus's expert lensing compliments to production lifestyles of the rich and famous. Costume, too, is notable with Harry dressed elegantly in linens and silk suits and Erica mostly in white turtlenecks and practical clothes.
Jack and Diane help make "Something's Gotta Give" a better film than it should have been. There is a wonderful chemistry between the two that make it a worthwhile date flick for the more mature minded audience. I give it a B-.
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