SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE
US, 2003, 128 minutes, Colour.
Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Frances Mc Dormand, Amanda Peet, Keanu Reeves. Jon Favreau, Paul Michael Glaser.
Directed by Nancy Myers.
Magazine articles and newspaper pieces frequently quote actresses who say that there are no good roles for women over forty. They are often relegated to mother roles or cameos in horror films. Diane Keaton has played her mother roles (the Father of the Bride series) but she also moved into directing. In Somethings Gotta Give, she plays her own age (born 1949) and the screenplay tackles the issues of the divorced wife who has carved out a successful career, prefers a kind of hermit's existence, worries about her daughter. At least that's what she says she prefers. Accidentally, into her life comes her daughter's latest 'boyfriend', a 63 year old tycoon with a heart condition, played as only he can play it with cheekiness and charm and the suggestions of more depth, by Jack Nicholson.
Hollywood and critics were so impressed by an actress of Keaton's stature playing and looking her age that she won a Golden Globe and received an Oscar nomination. And, despite a faultless comic performance by Nicholson and some scene-stealing by Frances Mc Dormand as Keaton's sister, the film is Diane Keaton's. She has to run the gamut of a great deal of emotion dealing with her daughter (Amanda Peet), her former husband and his remarrying (Paul Michael Glaser) and the attention and love of the younger doctor who treats Nicholson for his heart condition (Keanu Reeves). Some scenes where Keaton and Nicholson walk along the beach bring the best out of the performers who bring life to writer-director, Nancy Myers' dialogue about age and emotions.
For most audiences, the context of this reflection on age and the capacity for love is unreal. The characters inhabit an affluent world of beach houses, ocean fronts, careers and wealth and time to worry only about their own problems. This puts the film into the realm of fairy story for those who have gone to the multiplexes to see it. It is sometimes hard to be sorry for those who have enough creature comforts to comfort entire populations. That said, Somethings Gotta Give is entertaining, especially in its classic performances, and in its Hollywood Studio acknowledgement that life and love do not end at forty and, even, that there is life after fifty - and sixty.
1. The title? The background of the song lyrics? The situation?
2. The New York settings, the Hamptons? Homes, beaches? The hospital, restaurants? Theatre? The musical score?
3. The cast? The film for older audiences?
4. The themes of age, relationships? The introduction to Harry and Marin? The age gap? Harry, consciousness of his age, his reputation, his relationship with young women? His music company? Travelling to the Hamptons? The room, caught by Erica and Zoe?
5. The reaction, Erica, Zoe, the surprise, ringing 911, Harry and his explanation, their reactions in a “civilised” manner? Harry staying? The meal, the explanations? Erica as a playwright, her theatre experiences? The breakup of her marriage? The visit of her ex-husband and his new marriage? Zoe as a teacher?
6. Harry, the experience of a heart attack, in hospital, Harry and his behaviour in the ward? Julian as the doctor, his attention to Harry? The family and their concern?
7. Harry, his recuperation, at the house, the interactions with Erica? Her writing? The upset Harry seeing her naked? His telling Julian the episode?
8. The attraction, the walk along the beach, the different aspects of their characters? Harry contemplating walking up the steps? The talking and sharing, the effect? The sexual relationship?
9. Marin, her reaction? Her boyfriend, marriage, the end and the baby?
10. Harry, his reputation, status, Leo as his advisor?
11. Julian, admiring Erica, the meal, the theatre?
12. Erica, with Julian in the restaurant, seeing Harry, her reaction in the argument?
13. The further interactions, both falling in love, the differences? Harry and his change, admitting it? Eric consenting?
14. The ending, happy marriage – and baby?
