Staring: Jack Nicholson; Diane Keaton; Keanu Reeves; Amanda Peet; Frances McDormand
Director: Nancy Meyers
Ebert's Review- 3 ½ Stars Leo's Review- 4 Stars
*Spoiler Alert* I give some details away in this review that may or may not ruin the movie for you so if you have not seen this movie please go do something else.
“Something’s Gotta Give” was the best movie I saw all last week! I have seen Diane Keaton in movies like “Annie Hall” or “Manhattan” and this is by far the best movie I have ever seen her in. She brings out strength in "Gotta Give" that I had not seen in the two mentioned Woody Allen films. The premise of this movie is about Jack Nicholson and Keaton’s characters, and how they deal with being single in their old age. Nicholson (Who in Ebert’s review says he is “playing a character that is basically Jack Nicholson”) is Harry Sanborn, a wealthy music producer/record company owner. Keaton is Erica Barry, a divorced, famous play write, who first meets Sanborn when he is rummaging through her Hampton house fridge in his underpants. Sanborn being the 63 year old single male who has never dated anyone under 30 is dating Keaton’s daughter at the time (Amanda Peet). While he is in the Hampton's with her daughter- Sanborn has a heart attack- which leads to Sanborn needing rest and Erica needing to take care of him. You see where the plot is going.
The movie is a brilliant study on single life during your old age and asks the question "is love really worth it?" The movie is charming and has a lot of heart to it. You feel passion for Keaton and you even feel a soft spot for Nicholson during this film. Ebert puts it perfectly saying “I don't know what Harry and Erica did to deserve theirs, but they didn't skip any payments. They bring so much experience, knowledge and humor to their characters that the film works in ways the screenplay might not have even hoped for.”
Keanu Reeves is doctor Julian Mercer who gives care to Harry Sanborn when he has his heart attack. He also happens to be a very fond fan of Erica Barry and all that she has written. Her writing is not the only thing he enjoys. Mercer, being in his mid 30's is quite attracted to Erica Barry. This creates a somewhat love triangle that sets the tone for the remainder of the film. Ebert goes as far in his review to say that Reeves' character is nothing more than a walking "plot complication".
I am not quite sure why Ebert did not see this movie fit to give it a full 4 stars but maybe since he makes a point feeling that both Keaton and Nicholson are playing themselves and he also seems to believe there are some plot holes with the ending of the film.
Either way, I still agree with a large amount of Ebert's review. He has great points that make you understand why this movie was so well put together by Director Nancy Meyers.
"The movie is true enough to its characters that at one point, when Harry and Erica both find themselves crying at the same time, we find ourselves surprisingly moved by this recognition of their humanity. And when Harry goes back to his old ways, as we know he must, we're moved again, this time by how lonely he feels, and how sad it is when he plays his old tapes. Harry and Erica are convincing characters, at least in the world of romantic comedy"
4 STARS!
Read Roger Ebert's full review of "Something's Gotta Give"- http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031212/REVIEWS/312120302/1023
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