Something's Gotta Give (2003)
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Two opposites find an unexpected connection when a wealthy record executive and a playwright are forced into close proximity after a medical emergency.
The story
Harry Sanborn, a wealthy New York City record company owner who exclusively dates women under 30, travels to a Hamptons beach house with his latest girlfriend, Marin Klein. Their plans for a private getaway are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Marin's mother, playwright Erica Barry, and her aunt. Following a disastrous evening where Harry suffers a heart attack, he is forced to stay with Erica for medical observation. As the two opposites are forced to navigate their shared living space, they begin to discover common ground and develop a growing attraction that complicates their existing relationships with Marin and Erica's doctor, Julian Mercer.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After a heart attack during a trip to the Hamptons, wealthy record executive Harry Sanborn is forced to stay with his girlfriend's mother, playwright Erica Barry. Despite their initial friction, they develop a deep connection. When their respective relationships with Marin and Dr. Julian Mercer become obstacles, Harry and Erica begin an affair. Following a series of complications and a period of separation where Erica writes a play about their romance, the two eventually realize their feelings for one another. After a year of being apart and navigating their feelings, they finally unite as a couple. The film concludes with a year later, showing Erica and Harry happily married and raising a child with Marin and her husband.
- First release year
- 2003
- Runtime (minutes)
- 128
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Nancy Meyers
- Writers
- Nancy Meyers · writer
- Cast and characters
- Jack Nicholson · Harry Sanborn; Diane Keaton · Erica Barry; Keanu Reeves · Julian Mercer; Amanda Peet · Marin Klein; Frances McDormand · Zoe; Jon Favreau · Leo; Paul Michael Glaser · Dave Klein; Rachel Ticotin · Dr. Martinez; KaDee Strickland · Kristen; Peter Spears · Danny Benjamin
- Genres
- romantic comedy; drama
- Themes
- midlife crisis; mother-daughter relationships; sexuality
- Tone and mood
- romantic; comedy
- Premise and plot tags
- romance; comedy; drama
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, particularly praising the performances of the lead actors. It was a major commercial success, grossing $266 million against an $80 million budget.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 72% · scale: percentage · review count: 172; Metacritic · score: 66 · scale: 100 · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Actress · nomination; Critics' Choice Movie Award · Best Actress · nomination; Screen Actors Guild Award · Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role · nomination; Golden Globe Award · Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy · win; Golden Globe Award · Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was originally scored by Alan Silvestri, but he was replaced at the last minute due to creative differences.; The soundtrack was released in February 2004 and sold 172,000 copies in the United States by 2004.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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