Friday, July 23, 2010

Best Actress 2003: Diane Keaton in Something's Gotta Give



Diane Keaton received her fourth Oscar nomination for playing Erica Barry, a playwrite who falls in love with her daughter's older boyfriend (Jack Nicholson) in Something's Gotta Give.


Diane Keaton is simply wonderful in this movie. She adds a lot of charm and humor to this role and makes it work wonderfully. Keaton is so luminous to watch and she just makes you feel so happy! (I know that sounds stupid, but it's true!) . Keaton adds a lot of depth to Erica as well, as we see that she is a sad, lonely person who hasn't been with anyone in a long time, and Keaton really nails that. Her best scenes are with Jack Nicholoson though and they both have brilliant chemistry together. I loved watching their relationship grow and both have an intimacy that screen couples rarely have. Keaton also really gets a lot out of the crying scene, as it is so funny, yet over-the top, in a funny way.


After Erica and Nicholson have sex though, the movie starts being slightly ridiculous and that affects Diane Keaton's performance because sometimes it feels a bit uneven given that too much seems to be happening at once. But Diane Keaton certainly gave a great performance that is a joy to watch.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, I don't really agree with this one, even though it is nice to see a non-typical performance getting nominated.

Louis Morgan said...

I can't really agree either. Although she was okay at times she was never amazing, especially in the later part of the film where she has to do those crying scenes.

joe burns said...

Sage: Well, to each his own! But that's true too.


Louis: I see what you mean, but I felt her scenes in the first half and her good moments in the second half were great.

Fritz said...

I liked her when I saw the movie years ago and laughed a lot at the crying scene but I don't know how I would judge her today...I remember she was very enjoyable but not really outstanding...

Andrew K. said...

She's actually my pick. The film has its issues, but I love Diane here, that crying scene is a favourite of mine.

joe burns said...

Fritz: That seems to be the opinion most people have, but I hope you like her if/when you do this year.


Andrew: At least someone agrees with me!