Something's Gotta Give

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet, Francis McDormand, Jon Favreau
Directed by: Nancy Meyers
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy
2003

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary:An aging playboy (Jack Nicholson) goes with his new girlfriend (Amanda Peet) to her summer home, and they are unexpectedly interrupted by her mother (Diane Keaton) and her mother's best friend (Francis McDormand). The two pairs decide to spend time in the house together. This changes things, especially when the playboy and the mother begin to fall for each other.

Review:

Tim: For all the hoopla and rave reviews this film received, I must say that it is somewhat of a disappointing romantic comedy. I understand that the film is geared toward older audiences, and maybe in 20+ years, I will appreciate it much better, but for the time being, the film is decent at best.

One of the problems I had with the film is simply that the whole Keaton-Nicholson-Peet-Reeves relationship square thingy kinda grossed me out. First you have ancient Nicholson shacking up with young and vibrant Peet, and then Nicholson and Keaton... both... past their primes. Throw in Reeves trying to woo Keaton, and it ends up just giving me shivers.

Nicholson is excellent as usual, but plays the same role in does in several other films, most notably, in As Good as it Gets. He was much better in that role, however. Keaton, though good, was highly overrated. I was astounded she received an Academy Award nomination for this! I suppose it was based on reasons other than her performance. Oh, and her surprising "nude" scene.... a waste. Helen Hunt was a much better fit to Nicholson in As Good as it Gets than Keaton is for him here. Keanu Reeves will definitely raise more questions about his ability to act with his stoic and unemotional performance here. Peet is good, but isn't in the film enough to make much of an impact.

Something's Gotta Give is a decent film, but disappointing in the comedy scene. It has enough romance for anyone, but it really isn't that funny at all. It gets incredibly slow at various places in the middle.

In the end, this is a decent flick, but I expected a lot more. Perhaps I'll like it better in a few decades or so...

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: As Good as it Gets, The Shining, The Whole Nine Yards, Sweet November