To call Diane Keaton's performance in "Something's Gotta Give" a "comeback" is doing her a disservice, implying that she hasn't been making movies or hasn't been on her game — which isn't true.
Though the majority of her recent films haven't been very good ("The Other Sister," "Town & Country," "Hanging Up"), it wasn't because of her performances.
But Keaton's luminous starring turn in "Something's Gotta Give" is miles better than any of her recent work, and is, by far, the film's strongest selling point. Without it, this romantic comedy's flaws would seem even more apparent. (As it is, the movie is probably 20 minutes too long and has an awful lot of sexual content for a film that seems to be aimed at a mature audience.)
"Something's Gotta Give" reunites Keaton with longtime friend and "Reds" co-star Jack Nicholson, who plays Harry Sanborn, a self-made millionaire and entrepreneur with a penchant for dating women much younger than himself. (If they're not 30 or younger, he's not interested.)
That's about to change, however. During a weekend fling, Harry suffers a mild heart attack and finds himself convalescing at the home of Erica Barry (Keaton), the mother of his newest girlfriend, Maren (Amanda Peet).
Erica's not too thrilled by the new living arrangements. And if anything, the only romancing she's interested in is with Harry's younger doctor, Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves), rather than the caddish, chauvinistic sixtysomething who is recuperating under her roof.
Or is she?
The two begin spending time together and discover they have quite a lot in common. Unfortunately, her defenses are still up, and he's unfamiliar with this whole monogamy concept.
Things really start to get bogged down in the film's somewhat flabby final third, and we probably could have done without the sight of the film's stars nude, albeit briefly (especially Nicholson's backside).
The film also underuses Frances McDormand, who plays Erica's strongly feminist sister.
But Keaton really is terrific, and her elegant Erica is one of the most endearingly sweet screen characters to come along in quite some time. As Harry, Nicholson is considerably less likable, though, as always, he's got his share of charm.
"Something's Gotta Give" is rated PG-13 for scattered use of strong profanity (including one usage of the so-called "R-rated" curse word), some crude sexual humor and references, simulated sex and other sexual contact, brief nudity (male and female) and some drug content (use of prescription medicine). Running time: 125 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com