"Something's Gotta Give"

Something's Gotta Give (2003): 6/10

Poster (c) Columbia/Tristar

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 clichéd 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.

Review Date: December 29, 2003