Something's Gotta Give and the Classical Screwball Comedy

Abstract

Nancy Meyers's Something's Gotta Give (2003) may have succeeded both critically and financially because it imitates the central conventions, characterization, and narrative structure of classical screwball comedies. Like its screwball predecessors, Something's Gotta Give presents a comparatively complex view of love and romance, which is represented by slapstick humor, verbal sparring, and characters who function both actively and passively. In addition, the film's creators pay careful attention to casting and the distinct character types and the narrative framework of the commitment comedy, a subgenre of the screwball comedy. Consequently, Something's Gotta Give, like the screwball comedies of the 1930s and '40s (and unlike most current romance films), appeals to a wide target audience, not just women.