Tags
2000's, Amanda Peet, Diane Keaton, Frances McDormand, Jack Nicholson, Keanu Reeves, Nancy Meyers, Romantic Comedy, Something's Gotta Give
I was kindly asked by the wonderful Gill to take part in the Jack Nicholson blogathon. This is to celebrate the great man’s work as he turned 80 yesterday. I’ve always liked Nicholson’s work in a variety of films so it was nice of her to ask me to join in and sing his praises. If you want to be entertained, Nicholson is your man. Anyway back to my review.
Film Title
Something’s Gotta Give
Director
Nancy Meyers
Starring
- Jack Nicholson as Harry Sanborn
- Diane Keaton as Erica Barry
- Keanu Reeves as Dr Julian Mercer
- Amanda Peet as Marin Barry
- Frances McDormand as Zoe
A sprightly romantic comedy about unexpected attraction in middle age, Something’s Gotta Give is an amusing showcase for both Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. Sure it has its contrivances, but there’s something very amiable and surprisingly touching to this film that makes it stand out from the endless pack of romantic comedies we are assailed with.
Harry Sanborn is a successful man in his 60’s, he owns a music company and his main passion in life is easy relationships with women who are much younger. The old dog has a rule of not dating a woman over 30, which keeps his status as a perennial playboy steady. His latest conquest is the pretty Marin, who invites him to her mother’s beach house in the Hamptons, thinking that her mother Erica is busy somewhere else. To her surprise, Erica, who is a successful divorced playwright, returns with her sister Zoe and is shocked to find her daughter and Harry are something of an item. Zoe talks her round and Erica reluctantly lets Harry stay, despite her immediate dislike for him. The evening gets eventful when Harry has a heart attack when preparing for sex and is subsequently hospitalized. Informed by his doctor that he can’t travel far and must recover nearby, he ends up recuperating in Erica’s house, much to her annoyance. Harry finds Erica to be overly uptight and prickly, while Erica thinks of Harry as just a rude and uncouth womanizer. Yet being forced to take care of Harry has its impressions on Erica, whether she likes it or not. The two start out at complete odds over their ideas of the other, yet quickly these differences start to wilt and an attraction begins to form. Both of them don’t quite know how to react to this unexpected creation, though it definitely makes both take stock of things and possibly open up to welcoming love. Yet as Harry recovers, his stay at Erica’s is cut short as his health improves. As the two have now grown to love the other unexpectedly, it’s up to Harry to decide whether he can truly change or return to his usual life of being a playboy. Add to this equation, Harry’s young doctor Julian taking a romantic interest in Erica, much too her surprise and things are about to get interesting.
Nancy Meyers provides breezy direction and writing, that still retains substance through how well-crafted the characters are. Meyers supplies a good helping of unpredictable moments to Something’s Gotta Give, that pay off and make it a funny watch. There’s something quite rejuvenating at seeing two people in the middle of their lives find romance, there are too few movies that deal with attraction among mature adults. Now it must be said that the movie does over stay its welcome due to the length of it and how it does dabble in levels of seen it all before. Generally though, Something’s Gotta Give gains major points from the casting, humorous yet moving writing and the tone of the piece. There is a level of genuine heart to things, as Erica’s seemingly comfortable existence is challenged by someone she never though she’d like. Observing the changes the attraction has for them both provides Something’s Gotta Give with a surprising emotional core, coloured with side-splitting comedy( such as Harry walking in on a naked Erica, ensuring much awkward encounters). I appreciate when a comedy has depth to it, as too many comedies forget that you sometimes need drama for the laughs to work.
Jack Nicholson is a devilish yet revealing presence as the ageing playboy, realising that life may be catching up with his lifestyle. I enjoyed how Nicholson sort of sends up the public’s persona of himself( the grinning Lothario who always looks like he’s up to something naughty), yet colours it with a surprising amount of vulnerability too. It’s an unexpected turn from him that has all his wolfish tics and adds a healthy dose of open humanity to the mix. He truly makes the part his own and I can’t imagine anyone else in the role. Diane Keaton gorgeously plays off Nicholson as the self-sufficient playwright, discovering that romance could still be on the cards for her despite her assertion that she’s passed it. A sophistication, humour and convincing clarity can all be seen in Keaton’s work, that makes you enjoy being in her company as her professional attitude makes way for touching revelation. Any romantic comedy largely succeeds or fails on the chemistry between the leads; Something’s Gotta Give joyfully fits into the former. You just get this natural and glowing way that Nicholson and Keaton interact, that really brings out the heart of both people who overcome differences to find that they might be right for each other. Then you have Keanu Reeves as the dashing doctor that could only ever appear in a romantic comedy. Reeves seems to realise this and plays the part amusingly as a sort of spoof of the dishy man in uniform that couldn’t possibly exist in real life. Amanda Peet provides sparkling energy, albeit in an underused capacity along with a wise-cracking but too little seen Frances McDormand.
So while it runs too long and isn’t above being slightly formulaic, Something’s Gotta Give has enough sharp writing and cracking performances, particularly Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, to make it a delight.
Caz said:
Great thoughts on this film, I really enjoy it think Nicholson and Keaton work very well together!
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vinnieh said:
I really bought their chemistry. It had a real effortless ease and warmth to it. That’s what I call great chemistry and rapport.
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fragglerocking said:
This sounds a fun movie V~man, cool review!
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vinnieh said:
It was very fun watching the leads bounce off each other.
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Paul S said:
Jack and Diane have some great chemistry, throw in Frances McDormand and Amanda Peet and how could I not love this one?
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vinnieh said:
I loved the ease with which they worked together. And I enjoyed that it was a look at love between mature people, and not just teenagers.
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maddylovesherclassicfilms said:
Sweet and funny film. Beautiful beach location too. Jack is as great as ever.
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vinnieh said:
I had a very good time with the film. It left a smile on my face. Man, that beach location was something wasn’t it? Jack was fantastic as was Diane Keaton.
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beetleypete said:
A good cast saves this from being a by-the-numbers rom-com. They all do their jobs well, but it’s not really my thing.
I prefer Nicholson in films like The Passenger, or The Last Detail.
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
It could have been just another romantic comedy, but the cast raised it above that to something funnier and even a bit moving. I would watch Jack Nicholson in anything really.
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beetleypete said:
As Good As It Gets is one of the few rom-coms I really rate.
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vinnieh said:
Man, it’s been too long since I last saw that one. Can remember him being very good in it.
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beetleypete said:
Helen Hunt is great too. And the little dog, of course!
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vinnieh said:
I’ll agree, Helen Hunt is a very reliable actress who delivers.
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Jade said:
I can’t believe that Jack Nicholson’s already 80! Love him. I much prefer his earlier films, but this one’s a decent rom-com. It’s also somewhat of a rarity too, given how the genre usually focuses on younger leads. Great review, Vinnie!
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vinnieh said:
Nicholson is a legend. His work speaks for itself in greatness and size. And I too appreciated that it had mature leading actors as opposed to young starlets.
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Madame Vintage said:
It’s very rare that I come across a romantic comedy from modern times that I like but as you rightly said it just had a lot of charm due to the character’s charm. I think if Nicholson hadn’t been in such a movie, it would have been a different type of viewing for moi. And Harry is a strange charming man who just had a lot of love no give but doesn’t quite know how to come across as one.
” I’ve never seen a woman that age naked before”.
This was a great review Vinnieh ☺
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vinnieh said:
It was one of the better romantic comedies I’ve seen. I think it’s mainly due to the winning work from Jack Nicholson sand Diane Keaton. Both add class and dimension to the film, the script also being quite touching at times.
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Madame Vintage said:
Precisely my thoughts. 😊
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vinnieh said:
You can’t go wrong with stars like those. They make even the most abysmal movies have value.
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Rincewind said:
I know it’s about Jack but how much do I love Diane Keaton. She is just amazing in this movie. And am happy to see Jack doing more than anger, although he is outstanding when being angry/upset or just fucked up crazy. He is so great here when just turning on the charm to 200%.
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vinnieh said:
I thought the both of them were exemplary. And what chemistry! You’re right, it’s pretty entertaining to see another side to Nicholson.
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Rincewind said:
She can so stand up to Jack and play off it. I truly enjoyed this movie..
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vinnieh said:
They are two amazing pros doing it in style.
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J. said:
Great review. I really like this one, though I remember it didn’t appeal to me at the time.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a cut above the usual romantic comedies that we are bombarded with.
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J. said:
Totally. Some of the typical rom-com things going on, but it worked really well. Plus, you liked the characters a whole lot… and that helps!
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vinnieh said:
Characters are the key to enjoying films I find. One of the most important parts along with the acting of course.
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sonofabeach96 said:
I love this movie. He and Keaton are both fantastic, of course. But I love Jack’s comedic timing and he has a terrific skill at delivering a smart-ass line. 😃
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vinnieh said:
He’s the king of smart ass lines and flashing that shark grin. Loved the camaraderie between him and Keaton. It was delightful.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I agree with everyone else here Vinnie. The cast definitely made this movie and this was one of Jack’s finest performances!
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vinnieh said:
I was left with a lot of laughs and a touched heart by this film. Jack was on great form, clearly having fun in the part of serial womaniser. Diane Keaton played beautifully off him with humour and depth.
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vinnieh said:
By the way, I did two reviews of Meryl Streep movies the other day. The Devil Wears Prada and Doubt.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’ll be sure to check on them soon.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for that Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😙
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ninvoid99 said:
I think it’s an alright film but it’s not as great as people claim it is. Plus, I’m still stinging that Diane Keaton beat Scar-Jo 3:16 for Best Actress in a comedy at the Golden Globes.
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vinnieh said:
I had fun with it. I’m not too clued up on the Globes, the Oscars I’m pretty good on.
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Realweegiemidget said:
Love your review, forgot Frances McDormand was in this movie and now so want to see it again – SHE’S BRILLIANT in Fargo x Anyway loved this review – Jack did send himself up and loved how this relationship with Diane Keaton’s character thawed to show us a lovely chemistry between them. Thanks for bringing this review to the blogathon and thank you for joining x Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews xx
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vinnieh said:
I like McDormand, such an adventurous actress. The chemistry between Jack and Diane made the movie work on so many levels. Plus I loved the scenery, what a beautiful beach house.
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Realweegiemidget said:
McDormand was fantastic in Burn After Reading really underrated actress – so want to check out more of her work x
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vinnieh said:
She’s so underrated I find, which is strange considering how talented she is!
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keepsmealive said:
I’m trying to remember if I saw this one or not. There was a time there where we watched a bunch of Nicholson movies in a row, and the rom-com stuff kind of blended together. I did like As Good As It Gets, though.
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vinnieh said:
You can’t get enough of Nicholson.
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Jay said:
Yeah, they’re quite charming together, aren’t they?
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vinnieh said:
Supremely charming. It really made the film watching them bounce off each other.
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Silver Screenings said:
I really enjoyed your take on this film – which is another entry in this blogathon I’ve never seen. I loved how you said this: “the grinning Lothario who always looks like he’s up to something naughty”. So true!
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vinnieh said:
I’ve discovered quite a few movies through this blogathon. It’s been enjoyable. I thought that line summed him up perfectly.
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houstonphotojourney said:
Great movie! I loved the two of them!!
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vinnieh said:
They are dynamite together, aren’t they?
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