SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE

Rating 4.5 out of 5

One of the most notable storytellers in the romantic comedy genre is Nancy Meyers. For decades, Meyers has created some of the most memorable romantic comedies to ever grace the silver screen, both as a director and writer, with such notable films as Father of the Bride, The Parent Trap and The Holiday. She has worked with some of the best actors in Hollywood across her films, but it is her film with legends of the screen Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson that remains one of her best films to date. Never short on the meaningful exploration of love that have defined Meyers films, this time focusing on themes of second chances at love and age, and bolstered by the fantastic pairing and performances of Keaton and Nicholson, Something’s Gotta Give is romantic comedy gold that showcases the genre at its best.

What has always defined Meyer’s romantic comedies is the intelligence in her writing. Instead of focusing on cheap comedic gags and young lovers, Meyers tends to focus on older characters with more life experience and nuances, and that is exactly what she does in Something’s Gotta Give. Even though Harry and Erica have more life experience, they are not as wise when it comes to love, and watching them begin to realize their true feelings for each other is where Meyers finds the magic in her screenplay. Working from the initial clashing of these two characters with their snap judgement of each other, helping to deliver an explosive start to the film, Meyers’ honest discussion around dating, age and love builds a meaningful connection between Harry and Erica as they begin to develop feelings for each other. The writing never skips an opportunity for great laughs throughout her screenplay creating some of the funniest moments of any of her films, ensuring laugh out loud moments throughout the film. Whether it be a joke about Jack dating younger women or the overreactions towards Jack from Erica, Something’s Gotta Give never forgets the comedic element of the romantic comedy, but Meyers never loses sight of the heart and sophistication of the character arcs or themes of the film, delivering not only an excellent screenplay but one of the best romantic comedies of the 2000s.

Both Keaton and Nicholson are legends in Hollywood with impressive resumes and Academy Awards, and their reunion after 1981’s Reds in Something’s Gotta Give is truly remarkable.  Earning her fourth Academy Award nomination for this performance, Keaton is nothing short of brilliant from start to finish as Erica with her unparalleled comedic timing that is simultaneously warm, hyperactive and deeply grounded. There is never a second where Keaton does not capture Erica’s tendencies to overthink or her more narrow minded point of view based on her past experiences with love, but, it is in the moments of Erica’s vulnerability where Keaton she strikes gold with her performance, creating an incredibly relatable and fascinating leading character that audiences can’t help but fall in love with. And the cherry on top of her performance is her crying scene, which may just be one of the best crying performances ever captured on camera. Without question, Keaton delivers one of the best performances of her entire career as Erica. 

Nicholson is effortlessly smooth and cocky as Jack, easily slipping into the skin of this womanizer afraid of love and true connection, who is out of his comfort zone after meeting Erica, the only woman to truly challenge him. As a pairing, it is instant fireworks between Keaton and Nicholson as the romantic chemistry leaps off the screen, beginning with their heated fights which slowly builds into a tender and meaningful connection that guarantees the viewers will be swooning and whisked away on a beautiful romantic journey. Supporting Keaton and Nicholson is a superb supporting cast comprised of Keanu Reeves, who is sweet and endearing every second he is on screen; Amanda Peet who handles Marin’s complicated position within the film’s love triangle with a grace, compassion and wisdom far beyond her years that helps drive home the film’s final act; and Frances McDormand who always delivers a great comedic moment when she is on screen while helping to push Erica to truly face her feelings.

With a charm and sophistication in every scene, Nancy Meyers confirms her status as one of the maestros of the romantic comedy genre with Something’s Gotta Give, delivering a beautiful film with uncontrollable laughter, a tender romance, and the majestic performances of Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson.