Additional Coverage:
- Diane Keaton’s Film With Jack Nicholson Was Her Favorite—but She Thought It Was Destined to Fail (parade.com)
Diane Keaton’s Beloved Rom-Com Was Nearly a “Doomed Project,” Actress Recalled
Hollywood icon Diane Keaton often cited her 2003 romantic comedy, Something’s Gotta Give, co-starring Jack Nicholson, as her favorite film. Yet, the acclaimed actress initially harbored serious doubts about the movie’s prospects.
In her 2011 memoir, Then Again, Keaton candidly shared her early apprehension, describing Something’s Gotta Give as a “doomed project” before its release. Despite her initial fears, the film went on to be a commercial and critical success, earning Keaton an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She also fondly recalled a memorable love scene shared with Nicholson on set.
The film held a special place in her heart, not just for the experience of making it, but also for an unexpected surprise that arrived two years after its premiere. Keaton recounted her confusion upon receiving a “cheque with a lot of zeros” for her back-end percentage. It was later revealed that her co-star, Jack Nicholson, had generously shared a portion of his own earnings from the movie’s gross, a testament to their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie.
Something’s Gotta Give featured Keaton as Erica Barry, a successful divorced playwright, while Nicholson played Harry Sanborn, a wealthy music executive who initially dates Erica’s much younger daughter, Marin (Amanda Peet). The plot unfolds as Erica finds herself in a surprising romance with a younger doctor (Keanu Reeves) before a deeper connection blossoms between her and Harry. The film was directed by Nancy Meyers, who also co-wrote popular films like Father of the Bride and Baby Boom, another movie starring Keaton.
Behind the scenes, the dynamic between Keaton and Nicholson often blurred the lines between acting and reality, as director Nancy Meyers recalled in 2018 at the Tribeca Film Festival. Meyers recounted an amusing incident during rehearsals for a scene where Harry chases Erica down the street.
Nicholson, rattled, approached Meyers, believing Keaton had genuinely declared her love for him. Meyers clarified that the line, “I love you,” was indeed in the script, prompting Nicholson to laugh at his own momentary confusion.
It was, Meyers noted, a classic example of Keaton’s authentic and immersive acting style.