Somethings Gotta Give

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Entertainment: +2 1/2

Content: -1 1/2

Somethings Gotta Give is a romantic comedy that wouldnt be romantic without Erica Barry (Diane Keaton) and wouldnt be a comedy without Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson). Harry, a hip-hop record producer, is charming and debonair when it comes to sweeping young women off of their feet, but he has never truly been in love. Erica is a theatrical playwright and a divorced mother. Harrys latest infatuation is Ericas daughter, Marin (Amanda Peet), who longs for true love and realizes that somethings gotta give. During a summertime visit to the Barrys Hampton beach house with Marin, Harry has a heart attack. His doctor, Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves), says he must stay close to the hospital until he has fully recuperated. Harrys beach-house visit is therefore extended, and Erica reluctantly cares for him. Through a series of comical twists, Harry and Erica find that they have a lot to learn about love from each other.

Nicholson can steal a scene with a simple eye movement, and he often does in this film, much to the audiences delight. It is unfortunate that this movie takes the low road and resorts to using strong language, brief nudity and sexual content in order to build the plot. Three affairs take place among four characters, none of whom consider the moral implications. There is so much depth between Harry and Erica. Its too bad that Harry must see her nude before she gets his attention, and he must sleep with Erica in order to find his way to the meaning of true love. Some tender and thoughtful moments between Erica and Harry during a beach walk aptly build the intimacy that results in true love. But these memorable elements are overshadowed by sexual innuendo and Harrys morally corrupt outlook on life. Harry reveals to Erica, I have never lied to you. Ive always told you some version of the truth. Somethings Gotta Give is a love story with some welcomed depth, but it goes too low with the undesirable content.

Preview Reviewer: Brian Hughes
Distributor: Columbia Pictures

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: Several (6) times mild (hell 2, damn 1); moderate (tits 1); strong (ass 1, bitch 1)

Obscene Language: Few (3) times moderate (pissy 1); strong (f-word 1, s-word 1)

Profanity: Several (7) times moderate (OMG 3, OG 1, G 2); strong (GD 1)

Violence: None

Sex: Few times mild (man and woman have implied sex in a bed); moderate (man grabs womans clothed buttocks several times, mans mouth touches womans clothed breast)

Nudity: Many times mild (women in bras and panties 3, man in underwear and shirt with crotch visible); moderate (womans bare breasts, mans uncovered buttocks 3, group of men with exaggerated large bare buttocks 2); strong (momentary occurrence of a woman completely nude)

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Several times mild (man uses his tongue on an ice cream cone in a sexually suggestive manner, several references to the use of Viagra); moderate (innuendo concerning a mans ability to perform sexually); strong (man discusses the beauty of womens bodies and refers to breasts as tits)

Drugs: Several mild (wine drinking during meals and social gatherings, smoking of cigarettes and cigars)

Other: Woman refers to finding a zen, man is encouraged to meditate in order to avoid anxiety and stress

Running Time: 123 minutes
Intended Audience: Adults

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