Review of Something's Gotta Give (2003) by Kitten M — 10 Mar 2011

Even at fifty-seven, Diane Keaton is still to die for. And that fact is made apparent in Something's Gotta Give, in which Keaton grabs her wittiest, sexiest role in years. Keaton is Erica Barry, a playwright and divorce, and she nails every laugh line and nuance in this wonderful comedy from writer-director Nancy Meyers. Keaton is a total scene-stealer, of scenes and hearts, and seeing her go at it with Jack Nicholson is a great pleasure.

Nicholson is just as funny as Harry Langer, a Viagra-loving record-company chief who never dates a woman over thirty--and his latest is Erica's daughter Marin (sweet Amanda Peet). Then Harry suffers a heart attack at Erica's beach house, and suddenly he starts seeing her with brand new eyes. But he has some competition from, of all people, Erica's doctor (Keanu Reeves, warm-hearted and funny) who also has a thing for her. Just watch Keaton's face at the realization that both men are attracted to her, it's priceless. Meyers (What Women Want) imbues her script with sparkle and wit. Sure, some scenes go on longer than needed and poor Frances McDormand is underused as Erica's sister, but Something's Gotta Give is something rare in teflon Hollywood: a rom com with real heart and wit.