That's the playfully amusing battle-of-the-sexes set-up that writer/director Nancy Meyers ("What Women Want") cultivates into a droll, touching observation on the contemporary dating scene and the universality of love and heartbreak - at any age. Despite the obvious plot contrivances, the meticulously-developed characters are compelling and perfectly cast, including supporting turns from Frances McDormand, Paul Michael Glaser and Jon Favreau.

Lustrous, irresistible Diane Keaton performs with razor-sharp humor and a dazzling, delicious delicacy, radiant in a glow created by master cinematographer Michael Ballhaus. Self-assured Jack Nicholson so cleverly plays off his own brash off-screen image that their chemistry is not only splendid but downright combustible. It's too bad that Oscar voters don't recognize classy comedy with its own category. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "Something's Gotta Give" is a laugh-out-loud 9. For adult audiences, it's a hilarious holiday delight.