Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton team up for the first time in a comedy that will warm your heart, but most likely escape your mind once you leave the theater.
Oren Little ( Douglas ) is a successful, self-centered realtor living in a somewhat secluded, peaceful home. But, his life is quickly turned upside down when his estranged adult son shows up out of the blue and drops a bomb on him. He is about go to jail for nine-months and needs his dad to look after his almost 10 year-old daughter, Sarah (Sterling Jerins). At first Oren is adamant that he won’t be looking after the granddaughter he never knew existed. Luckily, Leah (Diane Keaton), the kind, self-less next door neighbor steps in assuring Oren’s son that she will be in good hands. And so, begins a story you can probably already predict.
Love is not just felt for young Sarah; it is also spreading its way to an unlikely couple. Leah and Oren share a sweet romance, but not an exciting one. Michael Douglas definitely still has “it.” Charm, wit, class, he exudes all of it when he is on screen. Diane Keaton on the other hand offers some shrilling and quite annoying cries throughout the film. The cries aren’t as bad as they were in Something’s Gotta Give, but my gosh. Whoever thought the constant whiney sobs of woman are hilarious is seriously mistaken. Keaton plays a very likeable character and caring one at that, but somehow her moments of comedy failed to produce any real laughs. Douglas and Keaton have great chemistry as friends, but as lovers their relationship felt forced.
Though the romantic aspect of And So It Goes was weak, the family story-line was surprisingly enjoyable. Seeing Oren with his granddaughter or even his limited moments with his son can’t help but make you smile.
And So It Goes hardly stands out among the films currently in theaters, and I can’t even say it should be in your top choices to see this summer. However, if you are in the mood for a light, uplifting, and simple comedy, then I do recommend you sit back and enjoy this endearing story.
Rating: 2.5/5
And So It Goes hits theaters July 25.
And So It Goes Official Trailer HD
Maybe it’s because after the last Lifetime drama I was spoiled into thinking they would continue to push the boundaries on their “risqué” films. But Expecting Amish has to be one of the safest and unexciting movies I’ve seen from Lifetime in a while. Considering its premise, I was hoping for a lot more fights, sex, partying, etc-you know the basics of a rebellious teen Lifetime drama. Though there is sex, there is no passion. Hannah and Josh come off as friends forcing sexual chemistry that is just not there.
The romance isn’t bottled up in one little attic this time around. Cathy, who is now played by a sensual Rose McIver (The Lovely Bones), may be in love with her brother, but she’s able to heat up the television screen with ANY man she’s making love to. Sadly, that temperature is only one-sided when she is embraced with Christopher. Wyatt Nash (Pretty Little Liars) plays the stoic brother who gives a lifeless and disappointing performance. Luckily, if you keep your eyes on Cathy you might not be able to notice, and either way you still root for this disturbing relationship. An emotionally scarred Carrie is impressively performed by Bailey Buntain (Bunheads) and both Ellen Burstyn and Heather Graham reprise their roles as the children’s wicked grandmother and devious mom.
It may sound like a lot to take in, but it is all handled in a controlled approach. You won’t ever really be on the edge of your seat in this film. The moment you almost think you’re in for some suspense, it will quickly be squashed by a reaffirming scene that guarantees everything is okay. Luckily, Mom’s Night Out’s main focus is not about the mystery or how everything can go wrong in one night. This film is sending a message, surprisingly, a spiritual one that is delivered through small doses of liberal Christian sermons. These sermons try to disguise themselves as casual conversation that somehow never feels out of place. Early in the film we meet the three women at church and you are aware this is going to be a faith-based film, geared to resonate with young parents and multigenerational families.
The acting is what saves this film from being a potentially cheesy predictable comedy. Sarah Drew does a great job embodying a frantic mother who is just about ready to explode at any minute. While Sean Astin plays a more subtle and less comedic supporting husband role. I personally enjoyed the relationship between Patricia Heaton’s character and her teenage daughter (Sammi Hanratty). The two played off each other well, and portrayed one of the more genuine arguments in parenting. Country singer, Trace Adkins, plays a biker tattoo artist that comes to the women’s rescue at their time of desperation. He fails when trying to deliver moments of laughter. But in a climactic scene that is both touching and revealing to the film’s theme, Adkins gives an effortless speech that seemingly comes from the heart as he mentions Jesus and his own mom. He explains to Allyson that she shouldn’t be so hard on herself, questioning whether or not she’s doing things right. He continues to say that Allyson’s role as a mom is not one that she chose, but was chosen for her by God.