Something's Gotta Give
Cast
Jack Nicholson .... Harry Sanborn
Diane Keaton .... Erica Barry
Frances McDormand .... Zoe Barry
Keanu Reeves .... Julian Mercer
Amanda Peet .... Marin
Directed by
Nancy Meyers
Rater #2 has description and review.
Rater #1
Has Not Seen Movie
Rater #2
6/10. Something's Gotta Give is full of seconds. Although I haven't seen
The Matrix Revolutions, it's the second movie recently in which Keanu
Reeves hasn't said the word "whoa". It's the second movie recently in
which Jack Nicholson shows his backside. And it doesn't stop and take
a second to think about what the audience may want. It's one of the
most self-indulgent movies of the year, more so even than Tarantino's
Kill Bill. It's more of a swan song to Jack Nicholson and Diane
Keaton, saying that older people can still do things younger people
can. And the movie tries to hide this under a sweet layer of romantic
comedy, and for the most part it works.
Harry (Nicholson) is notorious for dating younger girls, girls half
and one third his age. His current beau is Marin (Amanda Peet). They
go to her mother's house in the Hamptons while she is away, but her
mother Erica (Keaton) comes back with her sister Zoe (Frances
McDormand). While there, Harry has a heart attack and the doctor
(Keanu Reeves) cares for him. During that time, Harry and Erica fall
in love and Julian (Reeves) falls in love with Erica.
To say a clich�d line, Something's Gotta Give (which is one of the
worst titles of the year) has its moments. Some moments border on
hilarity, but for each one of those there are some dead fifteen
minute stretches. It seemed like the romance between the two leads
seemed forced. Erica seemed a little charmed by him, but the audience
could tell that there wasn't really any charm in him. It seemed that
everything happened to further the plot, and Nancy Meyers didn't
really care that it wasn't believable.
Some minor irks I had with the movie were that it looked like much
was cut out on the sides. I assume that's a problem with the framing.
As much as I hate unnecessary widescreen, maybe putting it into 2:35
to 1 or something would have made it look better. There are two ways
to get accolades for your acting: either play a mentally slow person
or cry a whole lot. That's probably why Keaton is getting such rave
reviews: she cries so much, unbelievably, towards the end. Although
some is played for humor, it grates on you after awhile, and really
seems fake.
Nicholson seemed to be sleepwalking through his role. He didn't
really put much emotion into it. Some may call it senility, but then
I say what about About Schmidt? Keaton was quite good, despite what I
said earlier. Peet, my favorite actress, once again performs
believably, and has good screen time, despite what I heard.
McDormand, who is third billed, is only in one or two scenes but acts
well. Her role could have been expanded more. Reeves seems to only do
well in roles that aren't that strenuous, such as his here, and he's
very good.
I can't claim to say I loved Something's Gotta Give, or even liked it
a lot, but it had its moments, and worked to some extent.
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity and strong language.
Running time: 117 minutes
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