Something's Gotta Give

Amazon.com

As upscale sitcoms go, Something's Gotta Give has more to offer than most romantic comedies. Obviously working through some semi-autobiographical issues regarding "women of a certain age," writer-director Nancy Meyers brings adequate credibility and above-average intelligence to what is essentially (but not exclusively) a fantasy premise, in which an aging lothario who's always dated younger women (Jack Nicholson, more or less playing himself) falls for a successful middle-aged playwright (Diane Keaton) who's convinced she's past the age of romance, much less sexual re-awakening. As long as old pals Nicholson and Keaton are on screen discussing their dilemma or discovering their mutual desire, Something's Gotta Give is terrific, proving (in case anyone had forgotten) that Hollywood can and should aim for an older demographic. Myers falls short with the sitcom device of a younger lover (Keanu Reeves) who wants Keaton as much as Nicholson does; it's believable but shallow and too easily dismissed. Myers also skimps on supporting roles for Frances McDormand, Amanda Peet, and Jon Favreau, but thankfully this is one romantic comedy that doesn't pander to youth. Mature viewers, rejoice! --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

A very enjoyable comedy.......2007-09-01

I caughted this one with my girlfriend one night and really enjoyed it. I was thinking it would be geared more towards the ladies but quickly realized that anyone could love this one. It was very funny and romantic at the same time. I definately recommend this film. It's a great movie for one of those nights you stay in.

Cute and hilarious at times. Must see for 30-70 year olds........2007-08-15

Jack Nicholson is awesome in this film. So is Diane Keaton. Screen chemistry is perfect and they are both believable. It's cute, funny, hilarious at times and you really get the feeling that Nicholson and Keaton are not acting. The movie is a little bit long, but you don't really notice it. Something is always happening in the movie makes you care. Francis McDermond plays Keaton's sister and really fits the character. I think this movie is great and I would recommend it to anyone over 25 years old. I'm not sure anybody under 25 would actually get it... perhaps I'm not being fair to the x generation... sorry.

No Surprises, But Still Enjoyable.......2007-08-03

To be sure, Something's Gotta Give is a formula movie populated with formula types. Nicholson, for example, plays the same sort of hate-to-love-him misfit who redeems himself before the credits that he played in the more original As Good As It Gets. Having said that, the quality of the acting and directing make this as good as formula gets; which is to say, quite enjoyable.

The characterizations, and the choices the characters make, are sure to ruffle the feathers of those with an ideological axe to grind. But ideological commitments are hardly the basis for a romance, or a successful relationship. Reeves is charming as the earnest, smart younger man who does everything right. The dilemma for Keaton's character is that he doesn't understand her the way that Nicholson's character does.

My biggest disappointment is not with the choice Keaton's character makes--the movie would work either way. What's disappointing is that a character who has been portrayed as an intelligent, mature adult ultimately has her choice made for her. In that sense, the ending of the movie is a cop-out.

Laugh out Loud!.......2007-07-16

This is for all adults, no matter what decade you are currently surviving. It's laughable for those of us who are almost there and for others who can step into the shoes of and relate to the fabulous, soulful characters. No bad acting here!

Some ONE's got to give...........2007-06-29

And the "someones" are Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, who give wonderfully sweet and sassy performances in this story about Destiny almost thwarted.

Jack plays a quitessential playboy. It seems he has a new girlfriend every week. Only this time perhaps he's found "the one" in Amanda Peet. Enter Diane Keaton, Peet's mother. A successful playwrite, she is hardly looking for romance. Comfortable in her static, routine existence, surrounded by her characters, living her life vicariously through them at times, Keaton seems blissfully unaware of her own appeal. (Typical to any Keaton character, which is likely part of her basic charm.)

Keaton and Nicholson have a battle of wits, a battle of charms and an ultimate battle of hearts (notwithstanding Nicholson's heart attack about mid movie.)

In the closing minutes, the question is looming... will they or won't they? And I won't spoil it... you'll have to watch it to find out.

but I will say this... the movie is satisfying in its conclusion and is remarkable throughout. I LOVED it!

Average customer rating:

good casting in a very lame screenplay
Beautifully photographed and acted!
Fantastic BBC production - if you can ignore the US additions!
Very entertaining!
Waiting for the next installment...

Masterpiece Theatre - The Cazalets
Starring: Hugh Bonneville , Stephen Dillane , Paul Rhys , Lesley Manville , and Joanna Page
Director: Suri Krishnamma
Manufacturer: WGBH BOSTON
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Period Piece | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

WGBH Boston | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0002XVS6A
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Description

In the shadows of WWII, one family is blessed with privilege, prestige and unspeakable secrets.

It's 1937 and the storm clouds of World War II gather across Europe. Tensions also simmer beneath the seemingly charmed lives of the Cazalet family. While this grand family saga commences during an idyllic summer at the Cazalet's Sussex country estate, the years that follow will see birth, death, marriage, adultery, dementia, intrigue, and war play significant roles.

Acclaimed for its richly detailed production, talented cast and brilliant character depictions, this vivid and poignant family portrait revolves around the wives, lovers, and children of the four Cazalet siblings: hard-working Hugh, womanizing Edward, spinster Rachel, and the artistic Rupert.

Soon after Hitler enters Poland and England enters the war, the lives of three generations intertwine as devastating secrets explode like a blitzkrieg. Hardships invade with brutal reality, and slowly, the Cazalet's decorum can no longer mask their problems. As both the country and family are splintered by war, the Cazalets must prove they have the strength to endure.

Based on Elizabeth Jane Howard's captivating family epic, The Cazalets stars Tony Award®-winner Stephen Dillane (The Real Thing), Hugh Bonneville (Madame Bovary), Paul Rhys (From Hell) and Emma Griffiths Malin (Mary Reilly)

Customer Reviews:

good casting in a very lame screenplay.......2006-09-23

everything in this movie was just so trivial. typical english female writers' style, nothing but blah, blah, and blah. what we got here is one adultery husband, a womanizer who just wanted all the women, including his own daughter, but since this man was created by a female english writer, he himself in general is still a not a bad guy; then the second man who loved his wife so loyally; the 3rd brother was a dreamer, a romantic foolish idealist, but a very decent person who loved his 2nd wife and kids so much; then a sister who was a lesbian but a lovely woman, kind and generous...blah this and blah that for a total 5 episodes in 3 dvds. so what this story really delivered? nothing, a story so common and so cliched and might have been told and played thousand times. to the movie itself, it's a really good movie, well performed, directed, edited...whatever, all good. but the screenplay...well, same old sameold like all the other female writers already did, so stereotyped boring and typically feminine.

Beautifully photographed and acted!.......2006-08-02

This mini-series certainly helped to pass the long days of summer vacation for me! Usually anything from Masterpiece Theatre is excellent--but this one surpassed many other mini-series they've done. The intertwining stories of all the members of the Cazalet family are artfully put together in such a way that it keeps the viewer constantly interested. The costumes were very true to the era and the jazzy theme music sounded like a real tune right out of the 1940's. Among the engrossing characters there were two who stood out the most. Louise, one of the young Cazalet daughters, had to struggle with a perverted father while trying to move up in the theatre. The other was Christopher, a Cazalet counsin who objected to the war. His father wanted him to join up, but he eventually has a breakdown because of it. If you love character sketches and period pieces, this one is for you!

Fantastic BBC production - if you can ignore the US additions!.......2006-07-01

I have always loved the cazalets, but this American release was rather annoying.

From the constant "brought to you by ExxonMobil" voice overs to the fireside-feel basic WW2 history blurbs delivered after each episode, there are additions in this version which are unnecessary and spoil the 'BBC Englishness' which I reasonably expected. (It seems odd that the history blurbs were not made into a separate added-feature, instead of being embedded in the episodes)

The Cazalets appears to be unavailable on amazon.co.uk, so any non-American buyers should be aware of the changes. If it weren't for them, this would be five stars - the sound and picture are great!

Very entertaining!.......2005-11-11

I really did enjoy "The Cazalets" -- although, as other reviews indicate, it is left unfinished. I don't believe there are any plans to complete the series, however, so one is handicapped by ridiculous cliffhangers, like the fate of Rupert.

I have not read the Elizabeth Jane Howard novels (although I would like to at some point), and due to that I found many of the characters difficult to follow -- for example, there is a distinct focus on only the eldest Cazalet grandchildren, Louise, Polly, and Clary, to the detriment of the others. I believe Edward and Villy have a son, Edward Jr., who is hardly ever in the program. Also, two of the Cazalet sons, Edward and Hugh, have younger children, who are never fully connected to their parents. For example, I believe Lydia Cazalet was the daughter of Hugh and the long-suffering Sybil, but am not positive. Also, Villy and Sybil also have infant children (who grow into toddlers as the series progresses), the names of whom I cannot even say I processed since they were so seldom seen or mentioned. While I know this setup, i.e., having very young offfspring placed in the charge of nurses, governesses, and tutors (ah, the saintly Miss Millament!) was common among the upper crust, it made the family appear disjointed. Finally, were Christopher and his mother related to the Cazalets? I had a sense Mrs. Castle (Christopher's mother) was Villy Cazalet's sister, but, ONCE AGAIN, where was the solid evidence to support this...?! N-O-W-H-E-R-E!!!

The acting was very well executed in this piece. I agree that while life in World War II England couldn't have been as rosy for most people, even the upper classes (of which the Cazalets aren't even a proper part, as they are not members of the nobility or peerage), as the Cazalets enjoyed during that period, I was willing to overlook this suspension of fact in order to better appreciate the inter-familial drama.

Waiting for the next installment..........2005-07-28

I agree with the other reviewers. it is a great story. I have read all the books twice and although the DVD is worth buying it is disappointing not to see the end of the Saga.

Average customer rating:

Daughters of the Tong
Starring: Evelyn Brent , Budd Buster , Robert W. Frazer , Harry Harvey , and Richard Loo
Director: Raymond K. Johnson
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0009HLCZQ
Release Date: 2005-06-28

DVD:

DVD

DVD