Film Review: Script Weakens Cast, Director in ‘And So it Goes’

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CHICAGO – “And So it Goes” can be summed up in its incredibly weak title, as just lazy hackery. In attempting to tell a story of redemption for a old white rich man, the film falls back on clichés, predictability, improbability, overdone physical comedy and stereotypes. The first-time pairing of Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, and the direction of old pro Rob Reiner, couldn’t overcome the stench of the hackneyed screenplay.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

Rob Reiner’s ability to recognize good scripts seems to have faded. The man knows how to make American classics (“When Harry Met Sally…,” “A Few Good Men,” “The Princess Bride,” etc.), but can’t seem to find or identify the type of work lately that can keep his reputation sound. The Mark Andrus screenplay is just not interesting, and couldn’t have been interesting on paper. None of the characters have any depth, they are just given shorthand emotions or occupations that try to define them, but none of them are authentic. Every action is expressed as going through the motions, and nothing presented captures anything new.

Oren Little (Michael Douglas) is a bitter and wealthy old man whose wife has died, and who is estranged from his only son. He’s finally trying to get rid of his fancy mansion – he’s one of the top real estate moguls in town, of course – and moves into another property he owns, a miniature apartment complex called Shangra-La.

In that complex lives the lovely widow Leah (Diane Keaton), a lounge singer that cries through every sad song. Complications arise when Oren’s son Luke (Scott Shepard) reappears, and tells his old man that he’s going to jail – on one of the lamest trumped up charges ever – and now the old man must take care of Sarah (Sterling Jehrins), the granddaughter he never knew. Between that, and falling in love with Leah, he’d better clear his schedule.

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “And So it Goes”

Oren (Michael Douglas) and Leah (Diane Keaton) Are Coupling in ‘And So it Goes’
Photo credit: Clarius Entertainment

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “And So it Goes”