 "One For The Pros" | 2008-09-19 |
| - Reviewed By screaldeal |
To quote John Mellencamp, this "little ditty `bout Jack and Diane" called "Something's Gotta Give" is somewhat of a sleeper comedy nowadays but still managed to give Diane Keaton a Golden Globe for Best Actress (as well as an Academy Award nomination) in 2004. Co-star Jack Nicholson was nominated for a Golden Globe as well for his performance and these are two of the best reasons to watch the film.
Keaton is Erica Barry, a divorcee and accomplished playwright who decides to spend some time at her beach house in the summer with her sister Zoe (McDormand). When she arrives, she is shocked to find a man digging around in her fridge, clothed only in his oxford shirt, boxers and dress socks. With Erica threatening to phone the police, the man quickly introduces himself as Harry Sanborn (Nicholson) and explains that he is there with her daughter Marin (Peete) for the weekend. Embarrassed that he has been caught in his skivvies, he insists that he will leave but Zoe pipes in, suggesting that all four of them spend some quality time. This is where the fun begins.
Over dinner that evening, Erica quickly learns that Harry is a chauvinistic playboy, Marin another notch on the belt of his quest to desperately cling to his youth. Harry senses Erica's disdain not only for his capricious behavior but also her disapproval of his relationship with Marin and reciprocates the hostility, quite certain that they will not get along no matter what happens. What neither of them bank on is keeping up the venomous front for several weeks while Harry recovers from a heart attack he suffers that night.
At the urging of his doctor Julian Mercer (Reeves), Harry recuperates close to the hospital, Erica reluctantly providing hospice. Born out of what is at first an irksome period is a surprising camaraderie and eventual love affair, one that turns Erica's world upside down. Aside from her exhilarating dalliances with Harry, she is simultaneously squired by the handsome Julian, a man nearly half her age. Erica's once ho-hum life is thrown into an emotional upheaval, her heart quickly set aflame and just as quickly extinguished by the wayward Harry. Not one to let a broken heart disrupt her life completely, she uses her romantic foibles as the primary tool for penning another successful play, one which more or less tells the entire story of her brief romance.
Screenwriter and director Nancy Meyers wrote the parts of Erica and Harry with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson specifically in mind to play them and they are smart casting choices indeed. The best pairing since Nicholson himself and Shirley MacLaine in 1983's "Terms of Endearment", Erica and Harry are that couple least likely to succeed but when they fall for one another they fall harder than one would care to predict, despite their vastly different personalities and ideals. Keaton prevails with the comedic timing she possesses in spades whilst Nicholson is the wry and strangely sexy older man that he's so fond of playing. Reeves, normally armed with the dramatic prowess of knotty pine, is surprisingly looser and warmer here, the most natural and enjoyable performance I've ever seen; for such a minor role, it's without a doubt his best so far.
Bottom line: It's obvious at first glance what the film's strong suits are (screenplay and lead actors) and both are in top form here. You'd be hard-pressed to find a reason not to see two film veterans at the top of their game in one of the better romantic comedies of 2003.
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 "Jack Nicholson is not my idea of a ladies' man." | 2008-06-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1P1CP8KIK4YCP |
| Nothing about this movie made sense to me. The "hero" is supposed to be crawling with young women, and won't go with anybody over thirty years of age. How could he get anyone under thirty to even look at him? For that matter, how could he get anyone OVER thirty to look at him? His greasy hair was unkempt and looked dirty. He was fat and sloppy, and so out of shape he wheezed when he walked from one room to another. But most of all, he was immature and superficial. I can see younger women falling for older guys if they are good looking, in shape, and charming like Cary Grant. But Jack Nicholson is not my idea of a ladies' man. This movie was painful to watch. |
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| "didn't "give" me anything" | 2008-05-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2K1VVZB0F0SJA |
| I saw this movie has 4 1/2 stars. How? This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life! I bought it as a Christmas present for my boyfriend's mother. I watched it first, and after watching it, I couldn't even give it to her. It would have been an insult. Like "here is your crappy gift. this is how much i think of you." I was talking about it to a co worker just describing this terrible movie I had seen and without even saying the title, she said "you talking about Something's Gotta Give?" She also agreed that it was a terrible movie. (she is twice my age so it's not just because i am young) Bottom line: don't waste your time or money. |
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| "Excellent Film" | 2008-03-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3KP5FDYP97REG |
| If you like chick flicks and traveling I recommend that you see this movie.It's simply an excellent film if that's what your into. |
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 "Good Movie" | 2008-01-27 |
| - Reviewed By hopejoyfaith |
| I love this movie. It's bright and hopeful. I like the ages of the characters and their maturity. The story line is good too. I just don't like the few uses of profanity. I don't see how that is needed. |
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| "CRAZY MIXED UP COMEDY" | 2008-01-07 |
| - Reviewed By User: AH42308P1RF7R |
| LOVED THIS MOVIE WHEN IT WAS ON TV. WANTED A COPY TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS. WHEN WE SHARED EVERYONE HAD A GOOD LAUGH. JACK NICHOLSON AND DIANE KEATON WERE MARVELOUS. WE HAVE ALWAYS LOVED JACK NICHOLSON AND NOW WE LOVE DIANE KEATON. |
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| "Has to give ot As Good as it Gets bu Snuggle up and enjoy it" | 2007-12-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1TVP6C06M6ZKX |
| Jack Nicholson has become a great actor. His fluid facial expressions and theatrical features are unmatched by any other player in Hollywood. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, set mainly in Long Island, which is classified in the "melodrama" section of my film library. The movie allows Jack to act himself to the maximum as the clown of tragic comedy. The effect was a little tarnished by the traditional, "They all lived happily ever after" ending, but it was still pure entertainment, a film tailor-made for the aging baby boomers. Even had it had the more philosophical end I was expecting, it would have not been depressing , unlike About Schmidt or The Crossing Guard. This movie is more akin to As Good as it Gets, which I believe is Nicholson's finest as well as been an excellent little melodrama. Yet between these two fine movies something's gotta give between the two, indeed not in quality of cinematography and acting which are equally good but the script of this movie is inferior to that of As Good as it Gets (which for Nicholson's acting is, indeed, as good as it gets). Nevertheless, Something's Gotta Give has its own fine merits. The theme is good, Jack Nicholson has been lucky in playing with good co-stars in both films, Helen Hunt and Diane Keaton respectively, as well as an outstanding supporting cast in each case. The highlight, or turning point of the movie, as it occurs nearly halfway, takes place in a comfortable double bed during a very wet afternoon. I recommend that if any DVD viewer has a partner that you really love, spend it in such a bed in such an afternoon, while partly watching the movie. You miss a bit, so what? That's what fast return buttons on the remote and scene selections are for. Just snuggle up cosy, share some fresh hot (but unbuttered) popcorn (and don't spill the crumbs) if you will, and watch this movie. I doesn't require the same degree of concentration to appreciate as in As Good as it Gets, but you will both enjoy it. Love yer! |
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| "I adored this one." | 2007-11-23 |
| - Reviewed By coops11 |
One of the most embracive comedy-dramas I've ever gotten to see. I don't know why I ordered this from Columbia House (it was 25ish bucks at the time) but I'm so glad I did.
I can't say enough about it because it has an all-star cast (Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Keanu Reeves (sexy doctor) and Amanda Peet was the love-starved daughter of Diane's.
The love in this movie was so misdirected. Amanda's character fell for Jack's and soon, Jack's fell for Diane's. For the longest she kept her guard up and refused to date him cause she was her daughter's ex (very good, Diane) but she gives in.
And takes happiness by the ears and has a little fun. They live in one of the nicest beach houses you could possibly imagine, that looks down on the sandy beach.
Jack has this heart issue and when he's overactive or having sex, it tends to act up. Amanda and Diane are at his side at the hospital when he has a heart attack but then he recovers.
Diane and Jack are soul mates but they don't even know it till the very end. This movie is charming to a tee, very witty and smart. A little sexy is thrown in for good measure also. You get to see Diane naked (Ew) and Jack's but too (Funny).
Cover Art: C
Story: B+
Characters: A
Length: B
Overall: B+
4.1 stars. |
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 "A tad slow but fun." | 2007-09-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2PV6GK1HV54Y9 |
| Something's Gotta Give directed by Nancy Meyers isn't her best film but nonetheless, this romantic comedy is quite enjoyable. Starring Diane Keaton, Jack Nicolson, Amanda Peet, and Keanu Reeves Something's Gotta Give is a breezy romp about love at any age. The cast is full of enthusaism and Keaton was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe for her performance as Erica, a successful playwright but lacking a healthy love life. Ultimately love blooms for Erica in the form of her attractive daughter's much older beau. This isn't a perfect film, but Something's Gotta Give will give you a few chuckles here in there. |
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| "A very enjoyable comedy" | 2007-09-01 |
| - Reviewed By jt85812132 |
| I caughted this one with my girlfriend one night and really enjoyed it. I was thinking it would be geared more towards the ladies but quickly realized that anyone could love this one. It was very funny and romantic at the same time. I definately recommend this film. It's a great movie for one of those nights you stay in. |
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