Something's Gotta Give and Pancakes

Another Nancy Meyer film about old people falling in love! I guess you could say I have a type when it comes to movies. Something's Gotta Give is such a great film though! Like all of Nancy Meyer's films, it is set in a beautiful location, with a beautiful house, mouth-watering food, and amazing actors. Ms. Meyer definitely knows what I like in life, and I'm not ashamed about loving everything she does in her films.

The first time I watched this movie was with my parents and I was about eleven years old. Needless to say, I didn't pay attention or understand anything going on. I really started appreciating this movie recently because it was on Netflix and watching it in my early twenties made a difference, and I love it. 

Something's Gotta Give is the hilarious and charming story of Erica Barry and Harry Sanborn (Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson) who meet each other in the most entertaining way possible, he's dating her daughter. Of course, Harry Sanborn is an extremely wealthy older gentleman who dates younger women, and he's been dating them for forty years. Erica Barry is a divorced woman, who writes famous plays and spends her time with her daughter and sister in her gorgeous beach house in the Hamptons. So when Erica and her sister walk in the house to find a half naked older man in the refrigerator, things get a little interesting. 

Harry has a heart attack and has to stay at the house with Erica since he is not fit to travel. During his stay at Erica's the two have some very hilarious run ins with each other and slowly start to develop a friendship which then of course leads to the two realizing they do like each other. Harry and Erica are complete opposites, he's the wild ladies' man and she's the secluded level-headed playwright. They're romance is short lived when he is able to survive on his own. They pair decide to be friends, and even admit they are soulmates. While apart, Erica begins dating the young and handsome doctor, played by Keanu Reeves and begins to finish her play. A play inspired by her and Harry's fling, nonetheless. Harry finds this to be appalling and doesn't want to be the laughing stock Erica has him played out to be. After having a disagreement and agreeing that they are mad at each other, the two decide to move on. Later after some time apart and much thinking, Harry finds Erica in Paris to try and reconcile, only to end up "being the girl" in his opinion. Although, in Harry's case, being the girl pays off.

Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton as Harry Sanborn and Erica Barry

Jack Nicholson is another one of my favorite actors. He is absolutely wonderful in Something's Gotta Give. As always, he carries himself carelessly and confidently. He does a perfect job portraying the devilishly charming, womanizing Harry Sanborn. I'm sucker for Nicholson because I find his voice to be his best selling point when it comes to acting. The way he speaks makes his characters, and Harry Sanborn wouldn't be Haryy Sanborn without Nicholson's low and raspy voice. I may also find his voice to be more than it is since I used to listen to him read "The Elephant's Child" when I was little, but he does have a very recognizable voice is my point.
Diane Keaton is fabulous, as always, in Something's Gotta Give. She was perfect to play the frazzled, occasionally awkward, and talented Erica Barry. Keaton just has the ability to go from being in control and in charge to a mess, which is amazing. I love her mannerisms as Erica in this movie. She is delightfully uncomfortable at times and it makes for some wonderful laughs. Jack and Diane together are just as good, if not better than the acting combs in It's Complicated. That being said, if you liked It's Complicated, you will LOVE Something's Gotta Give. Nancy Meyer is a genius.


One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Erica gets home after seeing Harry with another woman and can't stop crying. She just keeps sobbing and ugly crying thinking about how things have gone so wrong and realizes her true feelings for him. Honestly, as another woman, I easily relate to her uncontrollable ugly crying. Most of us have dealt with a break-up and found ourselves crying in the shower or in the middle of doing something because it reminds us of him. Well, I have and it's awful, but watching Diane Keaton ugly cry makes me laugh every time. She's so dramatic about it, and it's perfect. 

Every time I watch this movie it seems to be later in the evening and when the scene where they make pancakes comes up, I always want pancakes. Unfortunately, I never ever have pancake mix when that time comes. However, my cousin is always ready to get in the car and go to IHOP for some pancakes. So, I do truly suggest pancakes for this movie. I was going to suggest a pasta dish, but I think this movie is light and carefree...which calls for pancakes because they're light and fluffy. I love to have my pancakes with some fruit on top or if I have a sweet tooth, I like chocolate chip pancakes. 

When I can make my own pancakes, I like to chop up apples and mix them in the pancake batter and cook them. Then I spread peanut butter on top, add a smidgen of maple syrup and put some strawberries on top. It's a little odd, but it is absolutely divine in my opinion. Of course, just simple and fluffy buttermilk pancakes always hit the spot. I prefer to use the Krusteaz pancake mix. It makes THE best pancakes. You can find it most grocery stores and just need to add water to the mix!