It’s probably not the best sign when a film’s opening date gets pushed back by a studio. And So It Goes, the latest comedy from Clarius Entertainment and acclaimed director Rob Reiner, was my first encounter with such a scenario involving a film I was reviewing. There’s a scene toward the film’s end in which Michael Douglas’ character tells Diane Keaton’s character that something had gone “less than he had hoped for, but better than he expected.” Unfortunately, I’d have to say the same expression applies to And So It Goes for me – it was less than I had hoped for, but better than I expected.

As a fan of Rob Reiner’s previous work, I had high hopes. However, I knew from watching the previews, And So It Goes was not going to be another unexpected gem about life, love and relationships like When Harry Met Sally… or as hilarious as the irreverent This Is Spinal Tap. It looked like a run-of-the-mill, romantic comedy – one that is quickly forgettable when the discerning moviegoer is bombarded with countless others of the same caliber. I don’t think my initial assessment was very far from the mark, but I did enjoy watching it unfold a little more than I had expected.

And So It Goes stars Michael Douglas as cantankerous realtor Oren Little, who is the equivalent of a modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge. He doesn’t exactly mutter “bah, humbug” to passersby on the street, but he is every bit as selfish, rude and thoughtless of others around him. Oren is in the process of trying to sell his elaborate $8.5 million mansion so that he can move far away and retire in peace and solitude when life deals him a surprise. Apparently, his estranged son Luke (Scott Shepherd) is about to go to jail and he has a 9-year-old daughter named Sarah (Sterling Jerins) in need of a guardian for the next 9 months (6, if he gets out early on good behavior).

Oren hasn’t seen his son since the death of his wife at least a decade prior. The two don’t get along because Luke’s past struggles as a drug addict make Oren feel like he wasn’t a good enough father. Oren strikes me as the type of person who just can’t deal with being a failure. Only the finest homes, cars, clothes and women will do for this type of man. Although he repeatedly tells him “no,” a desperate Luke deposits Sarah and a dog on Oren’s front doorstep anyway.

At first, Oren tries to pawn the little girl off on his neighbor Leah (Diane Keaton) until he can locate the child’s mother. Leah is a fellow widower who never had any children of her own, but it’s more than obvious that she is good with children and understanding their needs. She seems happy enough to be a “makeshift Grandma” for Sarah, but she encourages Oren to spend more time with her as well. Little by little, Oren discovers being a Grandpa isn’t all bad, and he develops a natural bond with Sarah, as well as a stronger, more romantic, bond with Leah. He manages to rejuvenate Leah, offering her advice for her lounge singer act and landing her a better-paying job at a club run by Frankie Valli in an unexpected, fun cameo. In return, Leah and Sarah rejuvenate the caring side of Oren’s personality that he long shut off after dealing with his wife’s illness, care and eventual death.

One thing this film proves is that Diane Keaton is an ageless beauty. She really shines in her role, especially when you see her perform on the stage. She always manages to look elegantly radiant and her singing voice is still as pleasant as ever, especially when she sings “The Shadow of Your Smile.” There is good chemistry between her and Michael Douglas, although the real heroes of the film for me were Sterling Jerins and Frances Sternhagen, who plays Oren’s feisty business partner Claire. Sterling lights up any scene she’s in due to her adorableness, while Frances interjects most of the film’s best one-liners. In a film in which I felt much of the humor falls flat, Frances was a welcomed sight for sore eyes.

If you’re looking for a sappy comedy to help you better understand the inner dynamics of what it means to be a family, then maybe this one is for you. However, I’d wait until it streams on Netflix or cable TV. Seriously, the “woman goes into labor at home, who will possibly deliver this baby?” shtick is getting old. And that had to have been the most unbelievable birthing scene I’ve ever witnessed. It was ridiculously clean, but perhaps that’s a metaphor for this film. It seemed to be trying too hard to deal with deep issues involving life, love and relationships but somehow managed to come out more than a little shallow. I guess I just hoped for a little more from Rob Reiner.

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THIS OFFER IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE FOLLOW CLIQUECLACK ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK, GOOGLE+ and TUMBLR FOR CONTEST ALERTS< REVIEWS and BREAKING NEWS.

CliqueClack has partnered with Clarius Enertainment to offer readers in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Somerville (Boston) and Indianapolis an opportunity to attend an advance screening of the new uplifiting comedy And So It Goes starring Michael Douglas, Diane Keaton, and Sterling Jerins.

There are a million reasons not to like realtor Oren Little (Douglas), and that’s just the way he likes it. Willfully obnoxious to anyone who might cross his path, he wants nothing more than to sell one last house and retire in peace and quiet — until his estranged son suddenly drops off a granddaughter (Jerins) he never knew existed and turns his life upside-down. Clueless about how to care for a sweet, abandoned nine-year-old, he pawns her off on his determined and lovable neighbor Leah (Keaton) and tries to resume his life uninterrupted. But little by little, Oren stubbornly learns to open his heart — to his family, to Leah, and to life itself — in this uplifting comedy from acclaimed director Rob Reiner.

The screenings will take place at the times and locations as listed:

• Monday, July 14th at 7:30 PM at Regal Richmond Town Square, Cleveland, OH ALL PASSES HAVE BEEN CLAIMED
• Monday July 14th at 7:30 PM at AMC Lennox Town Center, Columbus, OH ALL PASSES HAVE BEEN CLAIMED
• Monday, July 14th at 7:30 PM at AMC Newport on the Levee, Cincinnati, OH ALL PASSES HAVE BEEN CLAIMED
• Thursday, July 17 at 7:00 PM at AMC Assembly Row, Somerville, MA THIS OFFER IS NOW CLOSED
• Monday, July 21 at 7:00 PM at AMC Castleton Square, Indianapolis, IN ALL PASSES HAVE BEEN CLAIMED
• Monday, July 21 at 7:00 PM at AMC Mayfair Mall, Wauwatosa, WI

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY! THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS!

To get your free pair of passes, copy and paste one of the following locations into the comment box:

• CLEVELAND
• COLUMBUS
• CINCINNATI
• INDIANAPOLIS
• SOMERVILLE
• WAUWATOSA

Do not write anything else in the comment box or your entry will be rejected!

Enter your full name (first and last) and correct email address in the appropriate spaces on the submission form. Do not include this information in the comment box! Please make sure you have entered your email address correctly! As passes are limited, we will accept one comment per person/per email address. CliqueClack reserves the right to discard any duplicates or comments that appear to be duplicates. Multiple comments from a single person will result in complete disqualification. Please keep these offers fair for everyone.

Winners will receive a unique GoFoBo code good for up to two Admit One passes. Codes will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Please note that passes do not guarantee seats at the screening. Seating is first come, first served so plan to arrive early! CliqueClack has no control over the total number of passes distributed and is not responsible for seating arrangements at the theater.

Have a look at the trailer below and then tell us where you want to see the movie! And So It Goes opens July 25th.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB5BrNqk3yE

CliqueClack has partnered with Clarius Enertainment to offer readers in, Norfolk, Baltimore and DC an opportunity to attend an advance screening of the new uplifiting comedy And So It Goes starring Michael Douglas, Diane Keaton, and Sterling Jerins.

There are a million reasons not to like realtor Oren Little (Douglas), and that’s just the way he likes it. Willfully obnoxious to anyone who might cross his path, he wants nothing more than to sell one last house and retire in peace and quiet — until his estranged son suddenly drops off a granddaughter (Jerins) he never knew existed and turns his life upside-down. Clueless about how to care for a sweet, abandoned nine-year-old, he pawns her off on his determined and lovable neighbor Leah (Keaton) and tries to resume his life uninterrupted. But little by little, Oren stubbornly learns to open his heart — to his family, to Leah, and to life itself — in this uplifting comedy from acclaimed director Rob Reiner.

The screenings will take place at the times and locations as listed:

• Monday, July 7th, 7:00pm, Regal MacArthur, 300 Monticello Ave, Norfolk, VA
• Monday, July 14th, 7:00pm, AMC White Marsh, 8141 Honeygo Blvd, White Marsh, MD
• Thursday, July 17th, 7:00pm, AMC Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY! THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS!

Leave a comment on this post with either NORFOLK, WHITE MARSH or DC. Do not write anything else in the comment box or your entry will be rejected.

Enter your full name (first and last) and correct email address in the appropriate spaces on the submission form. Do not include this information in the comment box! Please make sure you have entered your email address correctly! As passes are limited, we will accept one comment per person/per email address. CliqueClack reserves the right to discard any duplicates or comments that appear to be duplicates. Multiple comments from a single person will result in complete disqualification. Please keep these offers fair for everyone.

Passes will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Winners will receive two unique GoFoBo Admit One passes. Please note that passes do not guarantee seats at the screening. Seating is first come, first served so plan to arrive early! CliqueClack has no control over the total number of passes distributed and is not responsible for seating arrangements at the theater.

Have a look at the trailer below and then tell us where you want to see the movie! And So It Goes opens in theaters on July 25.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB5BrNqk3yE