The Design Files – Something’s Gotta Give, Fifteen Years Later

I follow writer/director Nancy Meyers on Instagram. She recently published a post regarding the upcoming fifteenth anniversary of her film. I cannot believe it’s been that long since the release of one of the best interior design films ever produced. Yes, I know the movie isn’t about interior design but the production design was so exquisite that years later the interiors, by Production Designer, Jon Hutman and Set Decorator, Beth Rubino, look as lovely as ever.

I was speaking with a Kitchen & Bath interior designer and she said that her clients are still referencing the kitchen. Creating interiors that are timeless, yet fresh, isn’t easy.

The interiors help us get a sense of who Erica Barry is. She’s a very successful woman of a certain age (56), who has completely shut down in the romance department. This was one of Diane Keaton’s best roles. Jack Nicholson was fantastic as well. These type of sharp comedic roles are not easy and Jack’s Harry Sanborn character, in particular, was complicated. We were rooting for Erica from the get go. Harry, if played by a lesser actor, may have come across as a complete cad, a boring cliché of a man in his mid 60s chasing after women more than half his age. Jack and Diane had great chemistry. You can’t manufacture magic.

This movie had it all. I wish Hollywood would make more romantic comedies about and for adults. I keep hearing and reading this genre is dead, at least for feature films. This is unfortunate. The world needs more romance!

For now, let us enjoy this beautiful home. The exterior was from a real home in Southhampton. The interiors were built on a sound stage.

For more information regarding sourcing and how the interiors were created, check out Interior Designer Linda Merrill’s post.