Comic timing off in ‘And So It Goes,’ a tired romantic comedy

  • By Robert Horton Herald Movie Critic
  • Wednesday, July 23, 2014 3:20pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

Should you encounter a curmudgeon, someone so bitter and grouchy he seems unredeemable, fear not — there is a sure-fire remedy. Simply put this killjoy in the presence of a live birth and have him deliver a baby.

It always seems to work in movies, anyway. Case in point: “And So It Goes,” a middle-aged comedy that uses the cranky-guy formula with very mild results.

The grump in this case is Oren Little (Michael Douglas), a widower who has amassed a fortune as a Realtor. He’s currently living in a small apartment while he waits to sell his million-dollar home, after which he’ll take off for retirement.

Screenwriter Mark Andrus, who did “As Good As It Gets,” contrives a few complications to ruffle Oren’s life. He meets a neighbor, Leah (Diane Keaton), who wants to be a singer; as they are age-appropriate for each other and equally big stars, we can imagine something will happen between them.

Then Oren’s grown son (Austin Lysy) shows up towing a granddaughter (Sterling Jerins). The son is heading to jail for a few months, and the kid has to stay with Oren.

Clearly Oren has no interest in earning a “World’s Best Grampa” coffee mug, because he dumps the little girl off on Leah. Can a change of heart be far behind?

“And So It Goes” is directed by Rob Reiner, who also plays a small part as Leah’s toupee-wearing accompanist and suitor. It’s a measure of how far Reiner’s comic instincts have fallen that he doesn’t do more with a potentially very funny role for himself.

Reiner once made “When Harry Met Sally” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” and it’s puzzling that his skill at setting up jokes and hitting a rhythm has gone into a rut. This movie has a few pleasant scenes (especially when Diane Keaton is singing old standards in a little bar), but for the most part it feels tired.

Keaton relies on her usual mannerisms, and Michael Douglas holds back from painting Oren as a true scoundrel. Yes, there’s a bit of W.C. Fields in the character, but Oren’s personality is a little too easily explained, and Douglas doesn’t seem willing to get into Gordon Gekko mode again.

It’s also one of those films that has characters telling us how rotten Oren is, just in case we thought the movie itself were unaware of it. Not trusting the audience to draw conclusions is a clue to this movie’s problems.

“And So It Goes” (1½ stars)

Some amusing moments, but mostly this comedy about a rich curmudgeon (Michael Douglas) and a would-be singer (Diane Keaton) trying to tend his granddaughter just feels tired. Director Rob Reiner doesn’t display his old comic skills, and the actors are on autopilot.

Rating: PG-13, for subject matter

Showing: Alderwood Mall, Edmonds Theatre, Marysville, Oak Tree, Sundance Cinemas, Thorton Place Stadium, Cascade Mall.

Talk to us

More in Life

Ash was rescued along with Dexter, just before his euthanasia date. (Luisa Loi / Whidbey News-Times)
Whidbey Island woman rescues 300 German shepherds

“Can I save them all? No,” Renee Carr, of Oak Harbor said. “But I’m gonna try my hardest.”

The 2023 Infiniti QX80 has standard rear-wheel drive and optional four-wheel drive available on all models. (Infiniti)
2023 Infiniti QX80 is powerful and posh

A mighty V8 engine does the work while a luxurious interior provides the pleasure.

Artist Michelle Downes prepares to work on a few canvases in her garage workspace on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at her family’s home in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Stanwood artist Michelle Downes creates layered dreamscapes in resin

Resin is one part chemistry and one part artistry. Downes combines the two to make art that captures the imagination.

Kotor's zigzagging town wall rewards climbers with a spectacular view. (Cameron Hewitt / Rick Steves' Europe)
Rick Steves: Just south of Dubrovnik lies unpolished Montenegro

One of Europe’s youngest nations offers dramatic scenery, locals eager to show off their unique land, and a refreshing rough-around-the-edges appeal.

Dark gray wheels and black exterior accents provide extra visual appeal for the 2024 Subaru Impreza’s RS trim. (Subaru)
2024 Subaru Impreza loses a little, gains a lot

The brand’s compact car is fully redesigned. A couple of things are gone, but many more have arrived.

TSR image for calendar
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

This weekend in Snohomish: The Snohomish Blues Invasion and the Snohomish Studio Tour 2023.

Made by Bruce Hutchison, the poster for “A Momentary Diversion on the Road to the Grave” is an homage to 1985 classic “The Goonies.” (Photo provided)
Indie film premiering on Whidbey Island

Filmed almost entirely on Whidbey Island, “A Momentary Diversion on the Road to the Grave” is set to premiere in Langley.

TSR image only
Does your elementary school child have ADHD?

It’s important to identify children with this condition so we can help them succeed in school.

This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. In a race against the clock on the high seas, an expanding international armada of ships and airplanes searched Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for the submersible that vanished in the North Atlantic while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP)
A new movie based on OceanGate’s Titan submersible tragedy is in the works: ‘Salvaged’

MindRiot announced the film, a fictional project titled “Salvaged,” on Friday.

Most Read