By early June 2013, Michael Douglas, Diane Keaton, Sterling Jerins, and Annie Parisse were cast in a romantic comedy drama with Reiner as director, and written by Andrus. Sissy Spacek was offered the female lead role, but turned it down. Reiner cast himself as Artie because he needed an actor who would work for scale pay on short notice. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and took place throughout California and Connecticut. In late December, it was announced that Marc Shaiman was hired to score the film.
The film stars Douglas, Keaton, Jerins, Parisse, and Reiner. As Reiner should know better and Douglas should know better and Keaton should know better, what you have here is a film which has to make you ask: how come they did? When actors as great as Douglas and Keaton can't make dialogue sound natural, you know the script is a stinkeroo. Even the stellar pairing of Douglas and Keaton yields few sparks.
Not even the earnest performances of the two leads can rescue And So It Goes from its schmaltzy script. Whilst this remains reasonably captivating for its first hour, it kinda runs out of steam after that. It is contrived and forced, almost begging the audience to pull out the hankie. Additionally, it is sentimental, simplistic, and almost shamefully manipulative, I found it absolutely anything but charming. The film plays like Much Ado About Nothing, reimagined as an uninspired sitcom. Considering Reiner's output lately, it's tempting to call the film a triumph, if only on the grounds that it's not awful. The problem is that it isn't any good either. The film doesn't a by-the-numbers Reiner comedy movie about an odd couple of opposites just about say it all? Once more, Reiner defines himself as the schlock artist who knows, as do his stars, that coots with familiar faces can walk through this garden of schmaltz with their eyes closed. This film has the same level of false, mediocre level of entertainment as Something's Gotta Give (2003). If you liked that one, then you might like this. But I despise both. The film is far from a good movie, but it is a great opportunity to watch a pair of great actors at the top of their game. It pales in comparison to the talents of its stars. A lazy and condescending package from top to bottom. Despite its scripted shortcomings, the film is poignantly filled with heart, guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings and tear ducts as we each face our own mortality, hopefully with the same love and compassion as Leah and Sarah, like Oren.
Not even the earnest performances of the two leads can rescue And So It Goes from its schmaltzy script. Whilst this remains reasonably captivating for its first hour, it kinda runs out of steam after that. It is contrived and forced, almost begging the audience to pull out the hankie. Additionally, it is sentimental, simplistic, and almost shamefully manipulative, I found it absolutely anything but charming. The film plays like Much Ado About Nothing, reimagined as an uninspired sitcom. Considering Reiner's output lately, it's tempting to call the film a triumph, if only on the grounds that it's not awful. The problem is that it isn't any good either. The film doesn't a by-the-numbers Reiner comedy movie about an odd couple of opposites just about say it all? Once more, Reiner defines himself as the schlock artist who knows, as do his stars, that coots with familiar faces can walk through this garden of schmaltz with their eyes closed. This film has the same level of false, mediocre level of entertainment as Something's Gotta Give (2003). If you liked that one, then you might like this. But I despise both. The film is far from a good movie, but it is a great opportunity to watch a pair of great actors at the top of their game. It pales in comparison to the talents of its stars. A lazy and condescending package from top to bottom. Despite its scripted shortcomings, the film is poignantly filled with heart, guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings and tear ducts as we each face our own mortality, hopefully with the same love and compassion as Leah and Sarah, like Oren.
Simon says And So It Goes receives:
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