The One Movie Diane Keaton Loved Most and Got Everything She Wanted From

Diane Keaton has had a long and impressive career, but she has a special connection to one film in particular: Something’s Gotta Give. The 2003 romantic comedy, directed and written by Nancy Meyers, stars Keaton alongside Jack Nicholson, with Keanu Reeves and Amanda Peet in supporting roles.

Keaton once said this movie gave her the perfect role, combining romance, comedy, and her dream co-stars.

Speaking to the BBC, she explained, “It’s the best of all possible worlds for me. Not only do I get to kiss Keanu Reeves and have a big romance with him, but I also get to have the same experience with Jack! He’s the original bad boy so that’s about as exciting as it gets.”

In Something’s Gotta Give, Keaton plays Erica Barry, a successful woman who finds love unexpectedly later in life. Nicholson plays Harry Sanborn, a charming but complicated man, and their chemistry forms the heart of the story.

The film was well received, earning praise for its performances and clever writing. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 72% approval rating. Critics highlighted that the film strikes a balance between humor and serious themes, making it a standout romantic comedy for adult audiences.

Keaton’s performance earned her major award recognition, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, a Critics’ Choice nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild nomination.

She also won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. Nicholson received a Golden Globe nomination as well. The film was a commercial hit, grossing $266 million worldwide against an $80 million budget.

Keaton has shared that despite her long career working with stars like Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert Redford, she still had dream co-stars from an earlier era, naming Gary Cooper, Charlie Chaplin, Irene Dunne, and Cary Grant.

Yet, for her, Something’s Gotta Give offered a rare combination of a great script, ideal chemistry, and the chance to explore a fully developed character in a romantic comedy.

Critics like Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle praised the performances, calling it a rare adult romance film with both humor and depth. Roger Ebert also highlighted the smart dialogue and strong performances from Keaton and Nicholson, noting that the film’s appeal depends heavily on the stars’ presence.

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