And So It Goes

And So It Goes is a gentle comedy about the fragility of being human. Rob Reiner, its director, suggests that in the eternal presence of youth, it is possible to continue to grow young and transform one's life. Although its main characters, Leah, a widow who sings torch songs in supper clubs but can't get through one without crying (Diane Keaton) and Oren, a widower and veteran Realtor who is just counting the days until retirement (Michael Douglas), are at odds with each other. In the course of events we find opposites attract and are vital to one another's growth. Both are still actively grieving their deceased spouses in very different ways. Oren slips away to the graveyard to talk to his wife, while showing the world a nasty, hardened face. His dream of retirement hinges upon the final sale of the $8.6 million mansion where he lived with her once upon a time. Should the sale go through, he intends to head for the serenity of a solitary life tucked away in Vermont. In the mean time, he must weather the storm of living among others in the cramped quarters of a multiple family dwelling he owns and sardonically nicknames "Shangri-La." Although both Leah and Oren are in fragile shape, they unify when Oren's ten year-old grand daughter is dumped on his doorstep by his son, a man estranged from his father for double digits who is going away to prison. Oren attempts to get rid of the child, but Leah steps in, revealing her material instincts in full bloom. Her "perfect love" with her deceased husband did not enable her to become a mother and this is her opportunity. The vulnerability of Oren's young grand daughter, who his keenly aware that she has been dumped in the hands of an aging, unhappy man who does not want her, is beautifully and delicately rendered. In their struggle to deal with the child, Oren is humbled by Leah's superb ability to cope and begins to grow fond of both Leah and his grand daughter. In spite of his crude behavior toward his neighbors/tenants in the past, love enters the humble community at "Shangri-La" in the form of the arrival of a ten year old, the adoption of a stray dog, the sudden birth of a baby and the transformation of caterpillar into...a butterfly. This happiness is a metaphor for the potential happiness hidden in even the most banal settings and social situations. Only when events conspire to reveal the more elevated nature in people can both young and old face what the future has in store for them--something that is always a question mark. And So It Goes is a far more realistic and beautiful love story than the blockbuster hit that Diane Keaton made with Jack Nicholson, As Good As It Gets, over a decade ago. It is not a movie about "beautiful people" living in spotless white houses in the Hamptons or middle aged divorcées who manage snag aging, jaded producers so rich they date twenty year-old girls. That film was a complete fantasy on every level. (Without Keanu Reeves for visual relief it would have been hard to take some of the love scenes.) And So It Goes is a far gentler, far less glamorous film about love "among the ruins" than As Good As It Gets. Its verisimilitude may make less mature audiences uncomfortable for that reason. Ultimately, Keaton and Douglas pull off their roles like the pros that they are. It's a pleasure to see them get to know one another gradually, albeit clumsily and foolishly, in a way that is true to life. I highly recommend And So It Goes for anyone brave enough to watch fragile people still attempting to transform their lives and move forward in the face of the unknown.

While it's a touching story, Diane Keaton tends to play the same sort of Character. I have seen ALL her movies but now it is become a little tiresome. What is with those high-waisted skirts and belts...??? I know these movies are some years apart but always the same character as "I told you so" OR "something's gotta give" I liked her role in Family Stone or First Wives Club but sometimes she seems a little over the edge....or may be she is in Character. Michael Douglas who is usually the more devious character and arrogant, does show a softer side. On the whole, not a bad movie..... For those of you who are die hard Diane Keaton fans, you'll enjoy this. I may be a little critical but I must admit, these types of movies do help to try and make the world a better place, just by the story itself.

Oren Little (Michael Douglas) is a bitter selfish real estate agent after the death of his wife. He's trying to sell the family home. Leah (Diane Keaton) is his happy neighbor at Little Shangri-La. None of his neighbors like him but he owns the townhouse complex. Leah also had lost her spouse and has uncontrolled weeping. Then Oren's estranged son shows up after getting clean from drug abuse. He is forced to leave behind his daughter Sarah, who was unknown to Oren previously, after the court system screwed him over. Michael Douglas is grumpy and Diane Keaton is quirky cute. Neither is funny in here. Rob Reiner is embarrassing himself. It's his own fault since he's the director. The kid is cute but it's too obvious. She doesn't have the big personality needed to compete against these two cinematic legends. The story moves too slowly. The two stars are struggling to find the comedy.

If you were told to watch a movie directed by Rob Reiner, starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, with a budget of $30 mil. you could think that you are about to experience a movie with powerful emotions and an interesting plot. Actually, in the end, this is a rather simple movie and its course is obvious from the beginning. Michael Douglas plays Oren Little, a realtor who's about to retire after he makes his last sale, and Diane Keaton plays his singer next-door neighbor. What will happen between them is to be seen (I won't spoil it for you) but I'm pretty sure you have already guessed. The acting from the 2 veteran actors is effortless but the direction from the once-mighty Rob Reiner is too simple and targeting more for a few easy laughs if nothing else. Note that Reiner is also in the movie as the pianist who plays for Diane Keaton's character. It's a dramedy more than just a comedy but even the dramatic elements are more likely to promote laughter, if not anything else. There a couple of good songs sang by Keaton (?) and you also get to see Grease's Frankie Valli in a cameo appearance. Overall: It's OK. Douglas/Keaton are fun to watch, but don't expect greatness.

Well, finally a movie for us adults with no F words, car chases, explosions, vampires, aliens or other 'special effects'....Great....AND SO IT GOES isn't the best film of the year and yes, it does have its clichés, but it's a wonderful film just the same. Michael Douglas has rarely been better and Diane Keaton....is well...Diane Keaton...but a little less quirky than usual. Surprised how well she sings. A few heart tugging scenes, some laughs and serious moments make this a must see for the 'older generation' I"m afraid the younger generation would be bored and hoping for some big car crash or super-hero to invade the area. And heavens to betsy...no * scenes!!! Story is very similar to AS GOOD AS IT GETS, with a few twists. But that's OK. Just enjoy this fine film for what it is. A feel gooder!!!

'And So It Goes' is an unfussy, light-hearted romantic-comedy, that entertains you till it lasts. Its sweet & uncomplicated! 'And So It Goes' Synopsis: A self-absorbed Realtor enlists the help of his neighbor when he's suddenly left in charge of the granddaughter he never knew existed until his estranged son drops her off at his home. 'And So It Goes' is a decent film, about family & love. Mark Andrus's Screenplay is well-worded & fast, wasting no time in the narrative for its loopholes to ever show up grandly. Rob Reiner's Direction is pretty good. Reiner is back in form, after a hiatus. Performance-Wise: 'And So It Goes' would've failed, had its leading performers faltered, but that doesn't happen here. Michael Douglas is superb as the self-absorbed Realtor, while Diane Keaton is extra-ordinary as the women in grief. The Legends perform above expectations, once again! Sterling Jerins is adorable. On the whole, 'And So It Goes' works just fine. 91-Minutes will swing by well!

38 years ago Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" broke all sorts of records for being unique and entertaining. Diane Keaton played a pivotal role in that movie as the lead character Annie Hall. It seems Ms Keaton has frozen herself into that role and brings that same quirkiness to every role she's played since than, whether it requires it or not. In "And So It Goes" she doesn't require that weirdness and its a total distraction throughout this movie and why I'm rating the movie a 1. Keaton has traded her Hamburg for a Panama and graciously went sans the mens tie and vest this time around. Michael Douglas does hold up his part but Rob Reiner appears to be trying throughout this movie to direct and produce a knockoff of "Annie Hall". Reiner lets Ms Keaton do her frozen best. This movie is tedious and has the speed of a thick molasses in January. You'll fall asleep a number of times watching "And So It Goes", for most of us doing that provides some much needed relief. I was waiting for Keaton to blurt out "Lottee Da" at any moment while watching this stinker of a movie. Instead we get her caterwauling like a Bluetick hound dog chasing a raccoon. Horrible singing, just horrible.

I am always complaining that there are so few movies made for my age group. Well, for " And so it goes" I am the target audience, being the age of Diane Keaton or Michael Douglas. Boy, did I hate this movie. If Hollywood does not chose to pair a grandfather with a woman of the age of his daughter or grandchild, they take the grandfather and make him a nasty, mean, racist pig and give him a woman his own age who is so desperate that she puts up with anything or anybody. Add to this depressing scenario some really weak attempts of humor like shooting a dog with a paint ball gun or Michael Douglas delivering a black baby or screaming at a little boy for being naked or Diane Keaton drinking out of wine bottle before sex.. This is the second movie I saw Diane Keaton in this role of desperate woman of a certain age putting up with despicable men. It was like watching Something Gotta Give all over again. And I have to say Diane Keaton always looks the same and always acts the same, same thing with Michael Douglas and Jack Nicholson. You never forget one minute that you are watching Diane Keaton, Michael Douglas or Jack Nicholson. I wish I could make millions playing myself. Before I saw this dog I saw :The Hundred Foot Journey, which was much more enjoyable and the relationship developing in between two people in their sixties was much more believable.

Thanks to the whole production unit for making a natural, simple and lovable movie. Especially in this era where Hollywood making so many sci-fi's, fiction & technical movies, this movie along with blended is refreshing. Lead Role Performance of Michael Douglas & Diane Keaton is exceptional. A completely different role for Michael Douglas and he excel it with ease. For Diane Keaton this is a tailored made role. I really appreciate the lead roles performance and they make you believe age is not a factor for performance in fact their performance shows more maturity with their age. I saw the premier of this movie y'day without any expectations and I am very impressed and pleased with the presentation of the movie. I would definitely suggest others to watch this movie.

Michael Douglas hasn't lost much along the way, he's still engaging and believable in his roles. This one is no exception. Diane Keaton is – well, Diane Keaton. If you like her, you will like her in this role because all of her roles are pretty much the same. Me, I keep expecting her to come out with 'La De Da, La De Da, La De Da' at any moment. I'm not saying I don't like her, I do, it's just that her roles never achieve any real highs or lows, even when they are supposed to be exhibiting emotion. Her voice, as she proves in this film, isn't all bad for that of an aging chanteuse. But Rob Reiner – you had to throw in the trite, tacky scene with the dog humping the teddy bear? Come on, you're better than that. We expect more and better from your films. Altogether I've got to say this is a good picture, predictable, but enjoyable.