by MARK SLUTSKY

Intergenerational sex among wealthy New Yorkers is the theme of Something's Gotta Give, an almost-good comedy that gets by for a while on a certain affected breeziness and a strong cast, before sputtering off into aimlessness and an ending that never seems to come. Nancy Meyers (What Women Want) directs, and if you've seen her last movie you might know what to expect: the mild sexual peccadilloes of rich people, lots of gauzily shot, well-appointed homes and an only mildly successful attempt at a "classy" romantic comedy.

Meyers has done some job of casting. Jack Nicholson stars as a notorious philanderer who delights in sleeping with younger women, even well into his 60s. Nicholson hooks up with Amanda Peet, an art auctioneer, and the two make off for her mom's fancy beach house in the Hamptons. Of course, just as they're about to get down to it, mom, in the form of Diane Keaton, intrudes. Shortly thereafter, Nicholson suffers a heart attack, and for some reason or another the annoyed Keaton ends up taking care of him, all the while being wooed by Nicholson's doctor, one Mr. Keanu Reeves.

The repartee between Nicholson and Keaton, and their gradually evolving relationship, is the heart of Something's Gotta Give, and for what it's worth, they're both as good as always. Keaton actually has the gutsiest role here, even going so far as disrobing for a startling (if brief) nude scene - and presumably just to play fair, you see a lot more of Nicholson's butt than any moviegoer should reasonably expect. This said, though, as soon as the movie gets into the good stuff between the two, it starts to unravel. This should've been a quick 90-minute romp but Meyers lets it stretch out to just over an unforgivable two hours. For the last 45 minutes you can tell the end is in sight but it never seems to get any closer, and whatever good will the movie has built up quickly wears off. For its reasonable amount of charms, Something's Gotta Give never hits its stride.

Something's Gotta Give opens Friday, Dec. 12

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