And So It Goes

Rob Reiner’s Romantic Comedy And So It Goes (2014): Behind the Scenes with Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton

Rob Reiner’s And So It Goes (2014) paired Hollywood heavyweights Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton in a late-career rom-com that promised charm but delivered mixed results. The film, a blend of comedy, drama, and romance, follows Oren Little (Douglas), a grumpy real estate broker forced to confront his past when he becomes the reluctant guardian of his estranged granddaughter (Sterling Jerins). Keaton plays Leah, his spirited neighbor who challenges his cynicism. While the premise had potential, latestnetflix.com contends, the behind-the-scenes dynamics—and the film’s reception—paint a picture of a project that struggled to find its footing.

A Reunion with Reiner

Rob Reiner, known for classics like When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride, reunited with Michael Douglas for And So It Goes, marking their first collaboration since The American President (1995). The director’s return to romantic comedy was met with curiosity, especially given his knack for blending humor and heart. In interviews, Reiner hinted at the film’s themes of redemption and second chances, framing it as a story about "people who think they’ve got it all figured out, only to realize they don’t" . Douglas, meanwhile, described the project as a chance to explore a different side of his acting range, playing a character who’s "not just a jerk, but a jerk with a backstory" .

Douglas and Keaton: Chemistry or Misfire?

The casting of Douglas and Keaton was the film’s biggest selling point. The two had never shared screen time before, and their real-life rapport—both are industry veterans with decades of experience—was touted as a potential highlight. In promotional interviews, they played up their on-set chemistry, with Keaton calling Douglas "a total pro" and Douglas joking that Keaton’s energy was "exhausting in the best way" . However, critics were divided on whether their dynamic translated to the screen. Some praised their banter as "warm and lived-in," while others found it "forced and uneven" .

The film’s supporting cast, including Sterling Jerins as Douglas’s granddaughter and Frances Sternhagen as his sharp-tongued neighbor, added depth, but the focus remained squarely on the leads. Keaton’s Leah, a lounge singer with a heart of gold, was seen as a natural extension of her earlier roles, while Douglas’s Oren Little was a departure from his usual suave personas—a grumpy, emotionally closed-off man learning to soften.

Mixed Reception and a Quiet Legacy

And So It Goes premiered in July 2014 to lukewarm reviews. Critics acknowledged the film’s intentions but found it "predictable" and "light on surprises" . The French review aggregator SensCritique gave it a middling 5.2/10, calling it a "harmless but forgettable" entry in Reiner’s filmography . Audience reactions were similarly tepid, with many noting that the film’s blend of comedy and drama didn’t quite gel.

Behind the scenes, there were no major scandals or controversies—just a sense that the film didn’t live up to its potential. Reiner, known for his ability to balance humor and pathos, seemed to struggle with the tonal shifts here. Douglas and Keaton, despite their star power, couldn’t elevate a script that some critics called "too safe" . The film’s title, borrowed from Billy Joel’s 1983 ballad, added a layer of melancholy that didn’t always align with the lighter moments .

Where Are They Now?

Since And So It Goes, Reiner has continued directing, though with less fanfare. Douglas and Keaton have remained active, with Douglas starring in The Kominsky Method (2018–2021) and Keaton appearing in Book Club (2018) and its sequel. The film itself has faded into obscurity, remembered more for its star power than its impact.

For fans of Reiner’s earlier work, And So It Goes feels like a missed opportunity—a film that had all the right ingredients but never quite found its rhythm. Still, for those who enjoy late-career performances from Hollywood legends, it’s a curious footnote in their filmographies.