Review of:Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Director:Nancy Meyers
Rating:PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity and strong language
Starring:Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet, Jon Favreau
New Love. That first glimpse of the specialness of someone else and the possibility of what could happen. It is a feeling that can dominate a person’s day if one lets it, and who would not want to feel that rush again. That is really what the film Something's Gotta Give is speaking of. The chance to experience love in all of its grandness after you might have thought your chance was gone. I ask you what would you do if you were single and of a mature age, and had the chance to experience that pang again?
Harry Langer (Jack Nicholson) and Erica (Diane Keaton) have that chance. Jack plays as a single bachelor who only dates women under the age of 30. His theory is that women under 30 do not want anything lasting at the moment, and are just happy in the moment. While traveling with his girlfriend out of the city‚ he comes across the fiery mother played by Diane Keaton. It is apparent right off that both of these individuals have lived interesting lives‚ and that there is some sort of attraction between them. When the younger daughter steps aside‚ sensing the growing interest between the two‚ sparks fly. However, what do you do when you have lived your whole life one way and you are suddenly faced with something you did not know that you wanted? Nicholson and Keaton have fun with all the possibilities‚ and for an added bit of adventure‚ a younger man is thrown in‚ (Keanu Reeves) to give Harry a taste of his own medicine.
As always Jack Nicholson puts in another top-notch performance. Not many actors could pull of making you think that he was hip enough to even have a chance with younger women‚ but still have something left to connect with the emotions that he has. In my own opinion, Mr. Nicholson covers the full spectrum with no problem. The perfect complement to Nicholson is Keaton who seems to be having a grand time anytime she is on screen. Beneath the front she puts up in front of people lies the warmth that Jack falls in love with. Even the addition of Keanu was a welcome surprise. I myself view him as one of those actors who has a problem emoting his emotions‚ even though he is easy on the eye. In this role I finally have seen a role that he is tailored made for. The serious love interest who will not play with a woman’s emotions. In this role‚ I could picture no one else‚ who could bring about that seriousness so easily.
I found myself laughing out loud many times during this film‚ and I constantly had a smile etched on my face. After the viewing, I feel that this is one of the better films of 2003.
