 Something's Gotta Give (2003) Something's Gotta Give is one such romantic comedy … although on second thought, I may have overstated the potential for orgasm in even a great one. Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton are a great match and loads of fun to watch. And the film has an unexpected depth of feeling that doesn't reduce the comedy. In fact, some of the funniest shit happens when Keaton's character is at her lowest. It really is a testament to how charismatic these two actors are that the film works at all. In less capable hands, Something's Gotta Give would be decent but unmemorable. Like all rom-coms (as one of my Hollywood friends calls them), it's totally predictable, and there's very little keeping these potential lovers apart. So on that level, it's no different from, say, You've Got Mail or How to Deal. But Nicholson always brings something new to every role—he's never clichéd, even though seeing his bare ass for comedy now is. The real star, however, is Keaton, who absolutely lights up the film in every scene. She's just the most charming upper-middle-age woman you could ever want to spend two-plus hours with. She's easily more charming—and far sexier—than many younger, less wrinkly stars of romantic comedies (take that Selma Blair and Julia Stiles, you anorexic bitches!). And she brings real depth to the character, helping to elevate what could have been a one-joke premise about old people finding love despite the falling out teeth and the caving in chest. Both Nicholson and Keaton are endlessly compelling to watch—I'd happily watch them just reading the paper as these characters. Keanu Reeves plays well as Nicholson's doctor and Keaton's younger lover. And Frances McDormand is enjoyable as Keaton's sister (the question being when does she get her own high-profile romantic comedy? Outside of my "sexy mom" fantasies, I mean). So as much as the rom-com is generally a detestable genre, Something's Gotta Give transcends the limitations to become something altogether better. My one complaint, and it's leveled at all rom-coms, is why everyone has to be so fucking wealthy all the time. Yeah, the totally gay part of me loved Keaton's Pottery Barn house in the Hamptons … but one of these days we need to see a romantic comedy starring poor people who can't afford to fly everywhere all the time, and wear clothes from Ross Dress for Less. Or would that be too depressingly close to my own life, and you'd soon read me complaining about why don't rom-coms just stick to showing rich people? Well, either I gotta get rich or just stop bitching all the time … clearly Something's Gotta Give! Oh God. I'm now officially Rex Reed. Without the disfiguring facial droop, fortunately.
Review by Crimedog |