Something's Gotta Give    


 

Harry Sanborn: Jack Nicholson

Erica Barry: Diane Keaton

Zoe Barry: Frances McDormand

Julian Mercer: Keanu Reeves

Marin Barry: Amanda Peet

 

 

Written and Directed by Nancy Meyers


The ads for this movie say it all: Jack & Diane.  And while they both give great performances (as to be expected), the rest of the movie is a little lacking.  Ultimately, you're left wondering why they bothered with other actors and a plot at all. 

Harry (Jack) is a 60-something record producer who doesn't date women over 30.  His latest girlfriend, Marin (Amanda Peet), takes him to her mom Erica's (Keaton) house in the Hamptons.  Once Erica runs into Harry, typical hijinks ensue.

The movie is a little overlong as you wait for the inevitable conclusion to finally arrive.  The talented Frances McDormand is wasted as a plot device to give the obligatory "double standard dating" speech, and Keanu Reeves exists only as another hurdle for the couple to overcome.  His character ultimately doesn't turn out to be much of a hurdle after all, which hurts the believability of the movie.

Diane Keaton is marvelous in this role, and is the glue that holds this movie together, perhaps giving it more credit than it is due.