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Something's Gotta Give

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Judy Thorburn

Something's Gotta Give

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Flick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil

“SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE’’ – WHEN LOVE PAINS HIT JACK AND DIANE

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the new romantic comedy starring two of the best screen actors working today.  But, with Oscar winners Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton as the leads in Something’s Gotta Give, I was hoping I wouldn’t be disappointed. I don’t think either star has ever delivered a bad performance, even if the movie they were in wasn’t so hot. So, I was anxious to see if this film was worth their talent. As it turns out I was more than pleasantly surprised by what is probably the best romantic comedy of 2003, with touching and amusing performances by the entire cast.  It is also so refreshing to see a film that is smart, sexy, and amusing without insulting your intelligence.

Diane Keaton is at her best, delivering a delightfully quirky and charming performance as Erica Barry, a successful and wealthy, divorced Broadway playwright, who at age 57 unexpectedly finds herself the object of affection between two very different men at the opposite ends of the age spectrum. For Nicholson, who worked with Keaton in the 1981 Oscar nominated “Reds”, it’s a match made in screen heaven. The way they bounce off each other in a conversational battle of the sexes is a cinema delight.

Here, Jack plays hip-hop record label owner and uncommitted bachelor, Harry Sandborn, a 63-year-old lady’s man whose dating style revolves around short term flings with only women half his age. It’s actually a clever piece of casting, since Jack’s character mirrors his real life reputation of relationships with much younger lovelies. Harry may not be a stretch, but Jacks knows how to work this role to the hilt, in typical Nicholson fashion. The chemistry between the two veteran leads is just wonderful

As the story goes, Harry is dating Erica’s daughter, Marin (Amanda Peet). But when he has a heart attack during a weekend getaway at her Mom’s beach house in the Hamptons, it is Erica, showing up unexpectedly with sister Zoey (an underused, marvelous, Frances McDormand), who finds herself nursing Harry back to health at the request of his young and gorgeous doctor, Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves). This is where the fun starts. Erica, divorced from director/partner David (Paul Michael Glaser) has been without a man for many, and I mean many, years, and has resigned herself to being alone. Her repressed sexual desires are such that she opts to always wear turtlenecks, even in the heat of summer.  When Harry asks if she ever gets “hot”, she responds with “never, not ever”. But, when sparks start to fly between Harry and Erica, which begins as antagonistic words and actions, and then turns into heated mutual attraction, it becomes a complicated and emotional roller coaster for the two headstrong resigned middle agers set in their ways. Not to mention, there is also the much younger and cuter dreamboat Julian, twenty years her junior who made it clear he has fallen in love with Erica at first sight, and is in strong pursuit hoping to win her heart, which throws a wrench into the whole scenario.

Something’s Gotta Give is a sophisticated comedy that examines coming to grips with love when it is least expected, and at any age. Filmmaker Nancy Myers again displays her fondness for getting inside the mind of men and woman and their struggle to communicate on the same level.  This time she explores issues between the sexes with a sense of humor, natural dialogue, an engaging story and great actors, including the dreamy Keanu Reeves who is warm, appealing, and tender in this role of the other man, who any woman would find irresistible.  When will Hollywood finally wake up to the fact that besides being a hunk, he has proven time and again he can act? I am sick of all those naysayers putting him down. They are wrooong!

However, this is Keaton’s movie. She shines in a role that entails a range of emotions ranging from her surprise at suddenly being a desired female to confused feelings and frustration, to suffering the immense emotional pain when love hurts. She is a joy to watch, as a comedic talent and as soulful actress. No wonder there is talk about her winning another “golden statue” for this work. Diane must also be commended for allowing herself to age gracefully. This is a high profile actress who has obviously not had any visible plastic surgery to diminish her well-worn facial lines, and she comes across as genuine, believable and totally real..  The camera captures this aging beauty in a dignified and glorious way, which only goes to prove not all older actors, must go under the knife to in order to maintain a screen career, especially if they are of her caliber.

Nicholson is hysterical as the viagra popping skirt chaser who can’t seem to handle the fact that he has fallen for a woman close to his age, and reacts with panic attacks that send him back to the hospital thinking its another heart attack. It’s a problem of the heart, all right, but not in the way he realizes.

Enough said. You get the picture. Something’s Gotta Give is a bonafide delight, especially for the more mature audience of women and men who can relate to these characters.  In this season of hope and giving, Something’s Gotta Give is a most welcomed gift.

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