Moviegoers often benefit when a film boasts more than one genre. Such is the case with And So It Goes, co-starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton. It’s somewhat of a romance as well as a little bit of a comedy, plus a story about family and reconnecting with yourself and life.

Oren Little (Douglas) appears to be going through some hard times. He’s lost his wife, his son is going to jail, and Oren must deal with getting rid of their huge beautiful family home. He often sits in the kitchen when prospective buyers are coming by -- and maybe tries too hard. When he understands what ethnic group will be coming, he changes the photo in the frame on a counter of people representing that ethnic group.

Meanwhile, Oren serves is a real estate broker also living in and running La Shangri-La. It’s a small complex with a few renters that Oren continues to anger when he parks his car up front where no one else can park. This means those renters have to walk a distance with kids and shopping items to get to their apartments.

Leah (Keaton), a lounge singer, lives next door to Oren. She finds her landlord obnoxious, rude, and stuck in his own depressed world.

Oren gets little sympathy from anyone except fellow realtor Claire (Frances Sternhagen), whose age and life experiences are preceded by her sharp wit and quick tongue when Oren asks for advice. Sternhagen’s role may be small but she steals half the thunder in this film and is responsible for many of the laughs.

A bombshell drops on Oren when his son Luke (Scott Shepherd) announces he has to go back to jail, and he needs Oren to take care of his eight-year-old granddaughter, Sarah (Sterling Jerins). Oren refuses, but Luke returns later when Oren is gone. He leaves a note AND Sarah with Leah.

After a near meltdown, Leah informs Oren that he has no choice in the matter, but she will pitch in and help. That turns into Sarah spending the first night at Leah’s and forming an instant bond with her.

Director Rob Reiner has entertained movie fans for years with simple plots about love, romance, and family, and always laughable moments. A TV writer, producer, actor turned big screen developer, he has delivered funny and poignant films such as A Few Good Men, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, The Bucket List and more.

“And So It Goes,” Reiner says, follows his formulaic movie approach.

“I basically make the same movie over and over again. The woman is always more advanced and more developed and emotionally stable.  And the man is like an idiot running around, trying to figure it all out, until he realizes that he should be with the woman.  And so it is with And So It Goes.”

In this latest Reiner film, Leah seems very lonely even with Sarah around. Maybe Oren has entered her life at just the right time, if she can get him to see reality and step up to his obligations. Meanwhile, Oren becomes  super impressed with her vocal talents and assures her he can find her a much better paying job if she’ll take a chance on him.

Keaton performs her role with the same charm and comedic abilities she brings to every funny movie, and she’s also a wonderful singer. She’s delightful in this film. Douglas is at first a curmudgeon mostly for authentic reasons, and there are moments when you just want to slap him and say deal with it. But slowly you can see him melt as Sarah warms her way into his life, maybe even leaving a little room for Leah.

I enjoyed And So It Goes – especially watching iconic actors who can still bring a smile to our faces and a little touch of humanity to our hearts.

(Released by Clarius Entertainment and rated "PG-13" for some sexual references and drug elements.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.