Jack Nicholson Finds Perfection in an Unexpected Film
Think of Jack Nicholson, and you probably picture intense characters and daring roles. He's starred in unforgettable films—*The Shining*, *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest*, and *Chinatown*, just to name a few. But when asked about a truly perfect screenplay, Nicholson didn't mention one of his hard-hitting dramas. Instead, he pointed to the 2003 romantic comedy Something's Gotta Give.
This movie, directed by Nancy Meyers, pairs Nicholson with Diane Keaton in a story that blends wit, heartbreak, and second chances. At first glance, it's a lighthearted rom-com about love later in life, quite different from the actor's usual playground of psychological thrillers and gritty drama. Still, when Nicholson read the script, he was floored. He publicly described the screenplay as "flawless," even saying there was "nothing to criticise" about the writing. That’s a big deal from a three-time Oscar winner known for raising the bar on set.
Why Does Nicholson Rate the Script So Highly?
What made the script so remarkable for a cinematic legend with such a loaded resume? Nicholson has always been picky about the stories he tells. For him, great scripts are rare—they need genuine characters, smooth dialogue, and believable emotion. In *Something's Gotta Give*, Nicholson was drawn to the authenticity and charm of the story. The film takes on both romance and aging, two subjects Hollywood often gets wrong, and delivers them with a realness that even tough critics couldn't ignore.
Nancy Meyers, the writer-director, is known for blending humor with emotional honesty. She crafts characters who feel like people you know. In this case, the witty interplay and maturity of the script put it in a different league for Nicholson. He made it clear he felt the script set a new standard for what a romantic comedy can be—timeless and relatable, not just easy laughs.
It's worth noting that Nicholson has played roles all over the emotional spectrum. He's been the rebel in *Easy Rider*, the troubled patient in *One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest*, the obsessive writer in *The Shining*, and the hard-edged mobster in *The Departed*. Yet he picked *Something's Gotta Give* as an example of writing without a single flaw. For fans and fellow actors, hearing someone with Nicholson's eye for detail call a script flawless is a powerful endorsement. It highlights how great storytelling can transcend genre—and how sometimes, it's the most unexpected scripts that truly stand out.
