Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Nancy Meyers, Columbia and Warner Bros, M 128 Minutes.
Legendary actor Jack Nicholson rarely disappoints in the many roles he has rendered in a career spanning some six decades and this is certainly the case in this hilarious movie from director Nancy Meyers (‘The Holiday’) released in 2003.
Besides helming the production Meyers also wrote the script for this entertaining romcom concerning the aged music industry executive and professional bachelor Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson – ‘The Bucket List’) with a particular penchant for dating attractive women in their thirties.
As the movie opens Jack is seen romancing his beautiful girlfriend Marin (Amanda Peet – ‘Identity’) at the beachside home of her playwright mother Erica Barry (Diane Keaton – ‘Annie Hall’) when he suddenly suffers a heart attack and is rushed to hospital.
On being admitted to emergency Jack is treated by cardiologist Dr Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves – ‘Matrix’) simultaneously suggesting that he will require continuing care for some days following his discharge-and is surprised when Erica lets him stay at her home.
At first Erica concludes Jack to be chauvinistic and misogynistic towards women but after spending some time together in her home she finds herself being attracted to him acknowledging that each brings something out of the other.
At the same time when Julian calls on Jack (convalescing at Erica’s home) he begins to show considerable interest towards the single fifty something Erica despite the twenty year difference in their ages.
It is at this point that a love-triangle develops between them driving Jack to head home to reflect on his feelings for Erica before meeting accidentally at a restaurant where an incident results in Jack having another heart attack.
The story then restarts six months later showing Erica in Paris celebrating her birthday with Julian just as Harry joins them having earlier agreed to spend their adjoining birthdays together as both finally profess their love for each other.
Myers has fashioned a charming romantic comedy that fulfils the perennial proverb that one is never too old to fall in love even if the male partner displays certain chauvinistic and misogynistic tendencies.
Besides the funny and heart-warming storyline there are many delightful scenes featuring Nicholson and Keaton particularly the chemistry between them in portraying their characters which are eclipsed by their enjoyable performances including that of Reeves in his complementary role.
Something’s Gotta Give is being televised on Channel 7flix at 8.45PM on Saturday 1 August.
Vic’s Verdict: 4 Stars
