In a refreshing twist on the usual formula, Something’s
Gotta Give is a “coming-of-age” romantic comedy
about two older adults. Diane Keaton plays divorced
playwright Erica, whose daughter Marin (Amanda Peet)
is dating hip record company owner Harry (Jack Nicholson).
All three accidentally end up together at Erica’s second home
in the Hamptons, and when Harry has a heart attack and is forced
to recuperate there, what starts out as antagonism between Erica
and Harry slowly turns to respect and possibly . . . love?
Give’s
greatest strength is its cast, with all of the principal actors
turning in strong performances, including Keanu Reeves
as Erica’s younger love interest and Frances McDormand
as Erica’s sister. Keaton is especially good; she looks great
and is com-pletely convincing in her portrayal of a strong, independent
woman who finally remembers how to let someone in. Writer/director
Nancy Myers (What Women Want) may have
gone a little overboard in the plot twists that bring Erica and
Harry together but, overall, this is a good old-fashioned love story
wrapped in a modern package. As in the song that was the inspiration
for the film’s title, the 1955 Fred Astaire hit Something’s
Gotta Give, there are two “immovable objects” here
that finally succumb to “irresistible forces”, and for
us viewers, it’s a very entertaining ride.
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