AND SO IT GOES

And So It Goes

Starring: Michael Keaton, Diane Lane
Directed By: Rob Reiner
Reviewed by Brendan Dousi

[Rating: 2/5]

Every film has an audience, well, most films. A lot of films are specifically tailored to either get a particular audience or to cover as many bases as possible to appeal to the largest number of people. There’s a particular sub-genre I’ve seen popping up in the last few years that falls more under the ‘niche’ market category of targeting towards a particular group of cinema-goers. This would be the ‘50+ Rom Com’ sub-genre which seems to consist of the most pleasant, in-offensive and fairly simple stories that aim to never upset the viewer and to actively try and make them say, “Well, isn’t that nice?” An exception to the rule that still falls in the category would be 2009’s It’s Complicated. It managed to actually add a little zest and humour while still being a large audience-pleaser. Will And So It Goes, this year’s entry into the ‘50+ Rom Com’ category, let itself stand out from the pack or will it just be another ‘nice’ addition to the sub-genre?

Oren Little (Michael Douglas) has never been the same since his wife died. Without her he seems to have been overcome by his tendency to be a mean old bastard while alienating and offending all of those around him. When his estranged ex-drug addict son Kyle (Austin Lysy) appears on his doorstep after 10 years, he begs him to take care of his daughter Sarah (Sterling Jerins), Oren’s granddaughter that he never knew existed. Oren originally flat-out refuses so his shocked, kind-hearted neighbour Leah (Diane Keaton) takes in Sarah, scolding Oren in the process. Sarah and Leah together push Oren out of his comfort zone and set him out on a journey to help him forget past grievances, overcome his crotchety old man-ness and hopefully learn to love again.

Unfortunately, And So It Goes is not in the same league as It’s Complicated. The story is there for the taking and the film could have been an emotional and lifting story with heart and humour. Unfortunately it never reaches this level, the film is much too interested in playing it safe and delivering a stress-free environment to its audience. Of course, a film that plays it emotionally safe is destined to be a pretty bland film. It presents an ok story of an Ebenezer Scrooge type becoming not an asshole and there are some basic jokes in here that should make the most easily amused chuckle, but as a whole this film never escapes feeling a little dull and unnecessary. In the end, the only thing that really sets it apart from your run of the mill Lifetime TV movie is the beautiful cinematography and the actors.

That said, on the performance side of things this film is Ham-City. Michael Douglas is so over the top in his grumpy old man routine that it borders on creepy and Diane Lane has absolutely no qualms trying to remind everyone that she is the original ‘Queen of Quirk’.  The supporting cast do admirably given the circumstances, Austin Lysy gives a genuine sympathetic performance as Oren’s ex-drug addict son Kyle, but unfortunately does not have much screen time at all, and child acting veteran Sterling Jerins portrays a sweet innocence as granddaughter Sarah.

At the end of the day, no, it isn’t offensively bad, but it’s not a particularly entertaining or effective film either. This is definitely something you would be safe watching with your Mother/Grandmother, but only if you yourself can stomach the sight of Michael Douglas attacking Diane Lane with his Dementor’s Kiss.