I love Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton’s oldie romance flick SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE, so my hand shot up to review this film. Sure, AND SO IT GOES doesn’t have scrumptious Keanu Reeves as a love interest, but I was certain there’d still be some warm and fuzzies to be had…
AND SO IT GOES follows 60+ year old Oren (Michael Douglas) and Leah (Diane Keaton) both of whom have lost their long loved spouses and are a still a bit sore: While Leah cries at the drop of a hat, Oren has gone down the selfish A-hole route.
The two end up living as neighbours, they dislike each other… and things predictably go on from there.
Directed by the once legendary Rob Reiner (WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, STAND BY ME, THE PRINCESS BRIDE) the film starts off with great promise. The opening sequence sets the scene with a beautifully executed extended sweeping shot, suggesting we may be in for something that is a step above your usual mainstream offering… sadly it all goes down hill from there.
There’s talent in our two leads, no denying. But there’s something about Keaton and Douglas’ chemistry (or lack thereof) which leaves us feeling a little short changed.
Admittedly, this could be blamed on the script, which is guilty of the typical ‘one minute they hate each other, next minute they love each other’ scenario.
There’s also something about the characters that keeps the audience at a distance. Perhaps it’s Leah’s awkward sniffles during her depressive singing, or Oren’s sneering personality and lack of compassion towards his struggling son…or perhaps it’s just the icky scene where they made out in close up against a wall. Not my cup of tea!
So yes, it must be acknowledged that I am not the target market for this flick. While I was swept up in the comedy and charm of SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE, AND SO IT GOES just doesn’t manage to bridge the gap between seniors and young(ish!) adults.
There are laughs to be had; I certainly chuckled at points, and the mature members of the audience seemed to be enjoying it. So it’s not a complete write off. My advice: Buy your granny a ticket and leave her to it.
AND SO IT GOES: Funny in places, though lacking somewhat in chemistry. It’s a film about oldies, for oldies. Unoriginal, but not terrible. I rate it 5 stars.
