SCREEN IT! PARENTAL REVIEW: SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE

"SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE"
(2003) (Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton) (PG-13)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Moderate	None	Moderate	Minor	None

Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Mild	None	None	Mild	Heavy

Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Heavy	Mild	Mild	Moderate	None

QUICK TAKE:: Romantic Comedy: Following his heart attack, a never-married lothario who never dates anyone over thirty suddenly finds himself attracted to a middle-aged woman who's all but given up on romance.

PLOT:

Harry Sanborn (JACK NICHOLSON) is a wildly successful, 63-year-old record mogul who's never been married nor dates anyone over the age of thirty. His latest girlfriend is Marin (AMANDA PEET), a young auctioneer at Christies and the two have headed off for her mother's supposedly vacant weekend home for some frivolity.

To everyone's surprise, Marin's single, fifty-something mom, Erica Barry (DIANE KEATON), and Aunt Zoe (FRANCES McDORMAND) arrive on the scene. Everyone is fine with all four sharing the cabin, except for Erica, a successful playwright who doesn't approve of the May-December relationship, especially when she's all but given up on romance for herself.

Things take an unexpected turn when Harry has a sudden heart attack. The local doctor and big fan of Erica's work, Julian Mercer (KEANU REEVES), declares that Harry can't travel and thus must stay put until he improves. The only logical place for him to stay is Erica's place, another development she's not expecting, especially when everyone else returns to the city and then leaves them alone together.

Despite their differences, the two eventually start to become friendlier with one another, and with Harry and Marin mutually breaking up, romantic feelings begin to develop between them, much to their surprise. As longing turns into love, the two must figure out how to deal with their feelings and thoughts about what they should be doing in their lives, all while Erica must simultaneously deal with Julian falling for her.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: Unless they're big fans of someone in the cast, it doesn't seem too likely that any but the oldest of teens might have any interest in this film.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13: For sexual content, brief nudity and strong language.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:: JACK NICHOLSON plays a self-proclaimed lothario who doesn't date anyone over 30, but unexpectedly finds himself attracted to his girlfriend's single, middle-aged mother. He has sex with her, smokes, drinks a bit, and finds himself a changed man following that heart attack.
DIANE KEATON plays a divorced and middle-aged playwright who's all but given up on romance in her life when she unexpectedly falls for Harry, with whom she has sex. She then becomes confused about how she's supposed to deal with all of that as well as Julian's attraction to her (they may have sex). She briefly uses strong profanity and drinks, once to the point of being somewhat inebriated.
KEANU REEVES the E.R. doctor who treats Harry and finds himself falling for Erica (with whom he may have sex).
FRANCES McDORMAND plays Erica's sister who cautiously views Harry upon meeting him and briefly uses strong profanity.
AMANDA PEET plays Harry's girlfriend who isn't looking for commitment and thus doesn't mind that he and her mother start dating.; DIANE KEATON plays a divorced and middle-aged playwright who's all but given up on romance in her life when she unexpectedly falls for Harry, with whom she has sex. She then becomes confused about how she's supposed to deal with all of that as well as Julian's attraction to her (they may have sex). She briefly uses strong profanity and drinks, once to the point of being somewhat inebriated.
KEANU REEVES the E.R. doctor who treats Harry and finds himself falling for Erica (with whom he may have sex).
FRANCES McDORMAND plays Erica's sister who cautiously views Harry upon meeting him and briefly uses strong profanity.
AMANDA PEET plays Harry's girlfriend who isn't looking for commitment and thus doesn't mind that he and her mother start dating.; KEANU REEVES the E.R. doctor who treats Harry and finds himself falling for Erica (with whom he may have sex).
FRANCES McDORMAND plays Erica's sister who cautiously views Harry upon meeting him and briefly uses strong profanity.
AMANDA PEET plays Harry's girlfriend who isn't looking for commitment and thus doesn't mind that he and her mother start dating.; FRANCES McDORMAND plays Erica's sister who cautiously views Harry upon meeting him and briefly uses strong profanity.
AMANDA PEET plays Harry's girlfriend who isn't looking for commitment and thus doesn't mind that he and her mother start dating.; AMANDA PEET plays Harry's girlfriend who isn't looking for commitment and thus doesn't mind that he and her mother start dating.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

Here's a brief summary of the content found in this romantic comedy that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 2 "f" words, while other expletives and colorful phrases are used. Sexually related dialogue is present, an unmarried middle-aged couple fools around before sex (including implied oral or manual stimulation of the woman) and other sexual activity is implied.

That woman's bare breasts are briefly seen in a nonsexual context (including a brief, full view of her nude body with her hands/arm covering her "private parts") while a younger women is seen in revealing attire. A man's bare butt is briefly seen several times in the back of an open hospital gown.

Various characters smoke and/or drink, some to the point of being inebriated, while a brief drug reference is made. Some bad attitudes are present, as is some brief tense family material. While a man has a heart attack and repeated heart problems, they're played in a light and then comical fashion.

Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE: People have drinks in a club.
Harry tells Marin that he brought champagne but we then see him putting what looks like wine bottles into the fridge. We hear that Harry and Marin met at a wine auction.
Erica thinks that Harry is a burglar in her house and wonders if he's wandered in there high on ecstasy.
Harry, Marin, Erica and Zoe have wine with dinner.
Harry acts a bit loopy from the drugs Julian gives him in the hospital.
Julian and Erica have wine with dinner in restaurant, as do others.
Harry and Erica have wine at the beach.
Harry and Erica have wine.
Julian orders another drink in a restaurant.
Erica has a second drink with Marin, her father and his new fiancée. She acts a bit intoxicated.
People have drinks at a party.
Julian, Erica and Zoe have wine.
After a doctor tells Harry to relax and imagine a peaceful setting, he does and comments on a peach margarita and a Cuban cigar.
Erica has wine in a restaurant as do others. Later, she Harry and Julian have champagne, wine and then what appears to be brandy during and following a restaurant meal. Erica then says that she can't hold her liquor, prompting both Harry and Julian to say that's what they like about her.

BLOOD/GORE: None.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE: Harry uses the term "women your age" when referring to Erica and makes a habit of not dating women over 30-years-old.
Harry says that it's too bad Diane Sawyer, who he says he dated in the past, got a job where her legs don't show.
Erica forgets about her date with Julian and stands him up in a restaurant (he later forgives her).
Erica ends up using her experiences with Harry as the basis of her new play (without his knowledge or permission).
As Harry cries, he says to himself, "Look who gets to be the girl" (some viewers might not like that stereotype).

FRIGHTENING SCENES: Harry appears to be having a heart attack, Erica performs CPR on him and he's then taken to the hospital (mostly played in a light fashion). He later collapses in another scene (but is okay).

GUNS/WEAPONS: None.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Phrases: "About as f*cked a group as you can get," "You f*cking guy," "Do you actually buy that horsesh*t?" "I'm an idiot," "Gals," "Chick," "Babe" and "Broads" (women/woman), "Bitch" (used in the abstract), "What the hell /was that/does that mean?" "(This is) Nuts" (crazy), "No chance in hell," "Shut up," "I gotta take a whiz," "Don't get all pissy," "She's a major piece of work," "That's beyond creepy," "Bonkers," "Cut me a little slack," "Schmuck" and "Screwed around" (possibly used sexually).
Erica loudly belches after drinking an alcoholic drink.

JUMP SCENES: None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE): None.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE): A song has lyrics about a woman having sex appeal.
Erica and Zoe hear Harry and Marin playing the Marvin Gaye song, "Let's get it on" (that repeats those lyrics).
Other lyrics could not be understood/heard and thus may potentially offer objectionable content.

PROFANITY: At least 2 "f" words, 1 "s" word, 2 slang terms for sex ("do it" and possibly "screwed around"), 2 slang terms for male genitals ("Mr. Midnight"), 1 for breasts ("t*ts"), 3 hells, 1 ass, 1 damn, 10 uses of "Oh my God," 9 of "Oh God," 3 of "God," 2 of "Swear to God" and 1 use of "G-damn."

SEX/NUDITY: We see various shots of young and shapely women walking down the street, one of whom shows a fair amount of cleavage.
Marin wants to go for a swim with Harry and starts to strip in her mother's place. She first removes her top to reveal her in a camisole or similar lingerie (that shows some cleavage) and we then see a close-up of her removing her pants that then reveals a full shot of her in some rather small panties. She then gets on top of him on a bed (he's still clothed and lying back) and he playfully smacks her partially covered rear. Moments later, we see her in a small bikini that shows a lot of skin and cleavage.
The camera focuses on Marin's clothed rear (representing Harry's point of view) and we then see him suggestively licking down deep into his ice cream cone (an act that disgusts Erica).
Erica and Zoe hear Harry and Marin playing the Marvin Gaye song, "Let's get it on" (that repeats those lyrics) as well as that couple giggling in another room.
Julian asks Harry questions that may have led to his apparent heart attack and when Harry says he was with a woman, Julian asks, "We're you having intercourse?" Harry replies, "Unfortunately not." Julian then asks Harry if he's taking Viagra. Harry replies he isn't, but when Julian says that something in his IV would make for a deadly combination with Viagra, Harry rips the IV from his arm.
Marin shows some cleavage.
Harry acts a bit loopy from the drugs Julian gives him in the hospital. We then see Harry wandering down the hallway in his hospital gown that's open in the back and shows us several shots of his bare butt. During that, he also puts his head down on Erica's clothed chest.
Harry asks Marin, "We actually haven't had sex yet, have we?" She replies they haven't and he says it's something to live for.
We see non-explicit shots of Erica starting to undress by herself in her bedroom (although we do see her in her bra). Harry then mistakes Erica's bedroom door for entry into the kitchen and then sees Erica fully nude. We see a brief shot of her bare breasts as well as a full shot of her with one hand/arm over her chest and the other covering her crotch as she races away. Harry then says that all he saw were "just your t*ts." Later, Harry says that he's never seen a woman that age naked, prompting Julian to reply "Really?" and Harry responds that we're not all doctors.
Harry asks Julian about "Mr. Midnight" (Harry's penis) and when it will be back in order down there (following his heart attack). Julian then says that sex is good exercise and that when Harry can climb a flight of stairs, he'll be okay for sex.
Julian tells Erica that she's incredibly sexy and she swears that she isn't.
Harry tells Erica that she's confusing sex with sleeping and says that he prefers to sleep alone (after sex).
Marin tells Erica, "You're only saying that because you think we had sex" and then adds that she and Harry have not.
Harry and Erica do some passionate, clothed kissing. Harry then smiles and implies down toward his crotch and says, "Now look who's got something that works." She then starts to say that he didn't even have to take Viagra (but doesn't get the last word out all of the way) and he tells her not to make it go away. We then see them doing more passionate kissing on the bed, with both clothed and him on top of her. She's doing some heavy breathing and tells him to cut off her turtleneck. He then starts cutting from the bottom and then rips the rest off, exposing her in her bra. He then asks about birth control, she replies "menopause" and he says, "Who's the lucky guy?" He then kisses down her body and does something (that we don't see) that highly arouses her (we see/hear her reaction). She then makes him stop, takes his blood pressure, and then excitedly states that it's normal. We then see her falling back under the covers (after they've had sex that we don't see) and says, "I do like sex" and he replies, "Yes you do." We see them lying next to each other with the sheet over their chests and at one point we see her bare back. She then gets emotional and says that she thought she was closed "for business." Moments later, Harry proudly states that he had sex just three days after his heart attack and didn't die, and says that should be a record. We then see some brief passionate kissing in bed between them. Later, Harry tells Erica that she knows he's not monogamous and she replies, "Please, I barely know you."
Harry tells Erica that she's the funniest girl he ever had sex with.
After having sex with Erica, Harry later tells Julian that he's been working on "that stair thing" and that he can do it, "several times."
We see more passionate clothed kissing between Harry and Erica.
We see Erica in the shower, but only see her from the top of the chest up.
Julian and Erica do some passionate, clothed kissing and it's implied that they might have sex (as they head off for the bedroom).
Harry's young date tells him about the play she's appearing in and says (about the older man and young woman) that when they're about to "do it," the man moans and the woman thinks he's into it, but he then has a heart attack.
Harry doesn't believe men and women can be friends after sex.
We see photos from Erica's play, one of which shows a woman in a bikini and another that shows several men's bare butts (that look fake) in their open-in-the-back hospital gowns.
Harry pats Erica's clothed butt at a restaurant table.

SMOKING: Harry smokes cigars a few times, while Erica smokes once and Marin nearly smokes, but Erica makes her stop.
After a doctor tells Harry to relax and imagine a peaceful setting, he does and comments on a peach margarita and a Cuban cigar.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES: We hear that Marin's parents are divorced, but still work together. Later, Marin is upset when her dad announces he's going to remarry.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT: May/December romances.
We hear that Harry never dates women over 30, but he then says women over a certain age never date him.
Erica says that most rappers are misogynistic and then wonders how many words can rhyme with "bitch."
Harry uses the term "women your age" when referring to Erica.
Julian tells Erica that she's incredibly sexy and she swears that she isn't.
Heart attacks.
Erica tells Marin that she can't hide from love because it might not work out.
Harry's question, "Why is it you broads want all or nothing when it comes to love?"
Harry doesn't believe men and women can be friends after sex.

VIOLENCE: None.

Reviewed December 6, 2003 / Posted December 12, 2003

Other new and recent reviews include:

Privacy Statement and Terms of Use and Disclaimer
By entering this site you acknowledge to having read and agreed to the above conditions.