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PCR # 194  (Vol. 4, No. 50)  This edition is for the week of December 8--14, 2003.

This Week's PCR
Movie Review
"Something's Gotta Give"

Movie review by:
Michael A. Smith

Three and a half stars

Movies are rated 0 to 4 stars

theater seats


LA FLORIDIANA
The History of Aviation in Florida, Part Four: The Pioneers, Barnstormers, World-Beaters and Patron Saints of Florida Aviation
 by Will Moriaty
THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW
"Something's Gotta Give"
 by Mike Smith
COUCH POTATO
BattleStar Melodramatica
 by Vinnie Blesi
SPLASH PAGE
Not Your Average Joe....Slush Pile....Weird Crap on Ebay
 by Brandon Jones
CREATURE'S CORNER
Saints & Sinners 4
....Comics
 by John Lewis
MIKE'S RANT
Happy Trails....Screening Ban, Take 3....Battlestar Galactic, Redux....LOTR: Return of the King
 by Mike Smith
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Warner Brothers/Columbia     
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peete and Frances McDormand
Directed by: Nancy Meyers
Rated: PG 13
Running Time: 2 hours 10 mins


To quote the great John Cougar Mellencamp, "Something's Gotta Give" is "a little ditty about Jack and Diane." Nicholson and Keaton. With more then 15 Academy Award nominations, and 4 Oscars, between them, they are at the top of their game in this excellent romantic comedy.

Jack is Harry Langer, a successful 63-year-old owner of one of the largest record companies. To go along with his success, Harry spoils himself by only dating women much younger then himself. One weekend he accompanies his newest fling, Marin, (Peete) to her mothers beach house. While there, Harry suffers a mild heart attack. He is cared for by a young doctor (Reeves), who becomes smitten with Marin's mom (Keaton), a divorced and successful playwright. Unable to travel, Harry is forced to stay at the house until he recovers. What began as a chance meeting between man, woman and doctor soon becomes a well written, well performed love story.

Having written and directed "What Women Want" and co-written such classic comedies as "Father of the Bride" and "Private Benjamin," Nancy Meyers adds another sure hit to her resumé. This is her fourth film with Keaton, and she has learned how to craft her writing to fit her star. Keaton, who recently was named Best Actress by the National Board of Review for her performance here, easily turns in her best work in years. Her character goes through the gamut of emotions, often at the same time, and watching Keaton go from joy to sadness to laughter to tears is a thing of beauty. Nicholson is also at the top of his game here. While occasionally relying on many of his "Jack" tricks of the trade, he also shows a vulnerability only hinted at in last year's "About Schmidt." Reeves does a good job as the rare younger man interested in an older woman, while McDormand is a riot as Keaton's sister. And any movie that brings Detective David Starsky himself, Paul Michael Glaser, back to the screen (he's been a well regarded director for the past 20 years) has to have something going for it!

Like the recent "Love Actually," this is a great romantic comedy that delivers on both the romance and the laughs. On a scale of zero to four stars, I give "Something's Gotta Give" Three and a half stars


This week's movie review of "Something's Gotta Give" is ©2003 by Michael A. Smith.  All graphics this page are creations of Nolan B. Canova, ©2003, all rights reserved. All contents of "Nolan's Pop Culture Review" are ©2003 by Nolan B. Canova.