reviews

Something's Gotta Give
Beauty, youth, fancifulness and fear of commitment are the main motivations of 63-yr-old Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson). We first meet him as he accompanies his no-more-than-30-yr-old girlfriend Marin Barry (Amanda Peet) to her mother's beachside home for a romantic getaway. Predictably, the two are not alone in the house. Here we meet Aunt Zoe (Frances McDormand) and the famous playwrite Erika Barry (Diane Keaton). While these two older women discuss the motivation to date a much older man (not to mention try to cover up the sounds of their neice/daughter having fourplay), Harry suffers a heart attack and is quickly rushed to hospital. Much to Harry's chagrin and more to Erika's chagrin, Harry's doctor, Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves) orders Harry to stay where he is - Erika's house. Alone in the house, Harry and Erika soon become friends and lovers, but not before Erika, being the older sassy woman she is, beguiles and even has a dinner date with Doctor Mercer. Erika, having experienced a sexual awakening, falls in love with the untouchable and unreachable Harry Sanborn. Staying true to his policy of dating only women under the age of 30, Harry leaves a mournful Erika with enough material to create her next hit play. After a brief encounter with Harry in the city, Erika returns to her beachhouse to start up a relationship with the much younger Doctor Mercer. Back in the city, Harry goes from one unfulfilling relationship to another soon to learn that he and his fancifulness have become the subject and butt of Erika's new comical play. Humiliated, Harry spends six months soul-searching and meeting all of his ex-girlfriends. It is his last meeting with Marin that sends him to Paris to find Erika. There he realizes that Erika has chosen to share her favourite city with Doctor Mercer. The three share an uncomfortable drunken meal that leaves Harry alone to contemplate his life and mistakes and Erika trying to decide whether to choose a younger or older man.

lAlthough a little long, this movie is enjoyable for mindless, predictable entertainment.

Diane Keaton is her unbelievable self. She is very put on in this role and even down right annoying as she shrieks her way through the memories and the writing of her play. She almost makes Keanu Reeves look like a brilliant actor.

Jack Nicholson is believable as he goes through a few realizations about himself and older women. However, for characters with a quirky side, I liked him better in "As Good as It Gets".

Love them or hate them, neither of these characters is much of a stretch for these actors.

What is so great about this movie is that it doesn't just deal with love and sex between young beautiful people. It is a movie about older people exploring their wants and needs alone, with each other and even with people much younger than themselves. Literally and figuratively, it exposes some of the realities and insecurities older people go through in relationships. Not only does it poke fun of an older man pursuing a younger woman, it also takes a serious look at an older woman having a serious relationship with a younger men.

If you can get past the phony Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give" (directed by Nancy Meyers) is worthwhile for cheap night Tuesday entertainment.

posted by reviewer @ 3:15 PM