You've got to hand it to Jack Nicholson. Little did we know that his hard earned reputation as a womanising carouser was, in fact, the workings of a dedicated method actor, determined to give an accurate portrayal of a life stretched by excess and sexual debauchery. For in his new film, 'Something's Got to Give', Jack plays just that, a record company honcho called Harry Sanborn, a man who boasts about the fact that he refuses to date women over thirty. His latest conquest, Marin (Peet) is the daughter of successful fifty-something playwright Erica Barry (Keaton), a woman who has given up on the idea of finding love again. One trip to Erica's beach house later and a bit of sexual mischief leads to Harry suffering a heart attack. His doctor (Reeves, surprisingly effective) advises plenty of rest as the only remedy. Thus, Harry is forced to recuperate at Erica's while she is a reticent carer for the old philanderer. Opposites attract, however, and it isn't long before Jack - sorry, Harry - has had his wicked way with Erica and a romance threatens to blossom. Which is about where the dashing young medic starts throwing envious glances at Erica, leading to all manner of complications.
Warm and fuzzy, 'Something's Got to Give' should be an unbearably sentimental mess of a film, where the romantic message dominates at the expense of entertainment. However, writer Meyers wisely allows her actors space and time, letting them stamp their authority all over the film. Of course, Nicholson needs little encouragement to chew up the scenery, but the Oscar nominated Keaton nicks the film from under his nose. An illuminating presence, she makes the notion of two men of varying ages vying for her affections a believable one, and her grace and style makes her one of the most charming leads in a romantic comedy for some time.
