Sure, there are other people in this film, like Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Amanda Peet, and Keanu Reeves.  But Jon Favreau is in it too!  Most other reviewers won't focus on the Favreauity of the movie, but the Masked Reviewer knows what the people want.

This movie is a romantic comedy by writer/director Nancy Meyers.  You may remember her from such films as What Women Want (2000), Father of the Bride II (1995), Father of the Bride (1991), Baby Boom (1987), and Private Benjamin (1980).   This time around, she deals with issues of love and age.  Older people dating younger people.  Older people dating older people.  Younger people dating older people.  It's all in there.

Even though Jon Favreau only appears briefly in two scenes, the void created by his lack of screen time is filled admirably, primarily by Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton.  Jack plays Jack -- big grin, sunglasses, and all.  He's suave, he's charming, he's funny, and he's a ladies' man.  If they'd shot the film courtside at a Lakers game, you wouldn't know he was acting at all.  Diane Keaton gives the best performance she's given in years, if not ever.  Both are fun to watch on screen, and while they do have some chemistry, each is so powerful on their own that you tend to feel like you're watching one then the other.

Amanda Peet has a small role as Diane Keaton's daughter, and she's fine.  Keanu Reeves plays a hunky doctor.  Now, the women in the audience do tend to swoon over Keanu, but...a doctor?  His appearance on screen never seems right unless he's saying "Whoa", and one can't help but think that if you found yourself in a hospital being treated by Keanu Reeves, you might be better off running to Canada and taking your chances with socialized medicine. 

The plot of the story isn't terribly compelling.  While the underlying issue of "old people gettin' it on" is different than the Hollywood norm (and will surely receive hearty 'hoorahs!' from the oldsters), the action unfolds a bit too predictably.  However, there are a few good lines and great moments in the film, though those can be credited to the actors rather than the ho-hum writing or directing.

Jack Nicholson sings one of the songs in the film.  You'll hear him in the closing credits, so if you've always wanted to hear Jack croon, this is your big chance.

Here's the best part: Diane Keaton does a nude scene.  Some people will not be excited by this, because she's in her 50's, but the Masked Reviewer appreciates nudity in any motion picture, and Diane Keaton is one sexy momma.  For people who only want to see 20-year-olds on screen, you might want to skip this one.  If the idea of a naked person over 30 disgusts you, you might not dig it.  But, it's your loss.  In fact, you might want to see the film any way, as it does a great job of portraying older people realistically, as sexual beings.  That's always a good thing to see, unless it's your parents.

If you enjoyed As Good As It Gets, you will probably enjoy Something's Gotta Give even more.  As Good As It Gets wasn't as good as it gets...Something's Gotta Give gives even more!  The performances by Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton are great fun, and though it's not a pure comedy (there's the romantic parts, the serious parts, the heartbreak parts, and the squishy mushy parts) it's well worth seeing.  It's sure to be a big hit with adult audiences.  It's not a deeply intellectual work, like one would normally associate with Keanu Reeves, but it does what it tries to do and it does it well.

Jack's Movies

  Diane's movies

Jon Favreau's Masterpieces

Expectation from the Title: When the Fat Lady from the circus shows up for Thanksgiving dinner wearing her new Spandex(tm) pants, everyone knows that it's only a matter of time.

Mother's Rule (Always Say Something Good About Everything):  This movie will make people over 40 want to go out and have lots of sex.

The Pros: Great, fun performances by Nicholson and Keaton.  Jon Favreau is in it.  Nudity.

The Cons: It's a bit predictable and the writing isn't the best.  It feels a tad long at 117 minutes.