Not every leading actress can age gracefully--and Diane Keaton certainly does not. In fact, Keaton brings such clumsy and ebullient slapstick to her twilight years, that it's exhilarating to behold. As over bearing mother Daphne, Keaton goes all out to win over her daughter's trust and the audience's affection. The question is, does director Michael Lehmann's film try too hard in a watchable, laughable Woody Allen sort of way, or does it just become unbearably cutesy like...well, whatever Cameron Diaz in starring in lately?

Because I Said So tells the story of Daphne's obsessive love for her youngest daughter, Milly, and the love affairs both women eventually fall into. Milly gets to choose between Gabriel Macht and Tom Everett Scott, while Diane Keaton (mute from laryngitis during the big scene) falls for Joe, played by Stephen Collins. Yes it is refreshing to see senior romances in Hollywood, but after 2003's Something's Gotta Give, the flush of romance has worn off and now older lovers aren't as "cute" anymore. It's time to scrutinize the story itself.

Because I Said So is definitely cutesy and self-indulgent, and with a more "graceful" overbearing mother the film really would have been awful. The supporting cast, including all of Daphne's daughters are not particularly likable or funny. Mandy Moore's shrill character of Milly juggles between two men, both of whom are a little too perfect and not entirely convincing as "interesting" nice guys. But the film lives or dies with Keaton's over-the-top and sincere performance. And wouldn't you know, Annie Hall delivers.

There are a lot of laughs in the film that all come from Daphne's frenetic exuberance. But what's most surprising in the film's sappy melodrama is how genuine pathos is eventually found in such an obnoxious character like Daphne. Keaton's weepy line spoken to Milly via answering machine message, that she doesn't want her daughter to someday turn into her--unhappy and meddling--does pick at your heart strings in a motherly sort of way.

Because I Said So's problems lie in the script, co-written by Karen Leigh Hopkins and Jessie Nelson. While they do provide Diane Keaton enough comedy fodder to keep us happy for an hour and a half, the script's third act is so patronizing and self-congratulatory it stuffs a cake in your face. Some people (or women?) might defend this film, claiming that it's somewhat of pro-feminist chick flick. I don't mind chick-flicks--I got down with Sense And Sensibility. I didn't even mind Jude Law crying like a baby in The Holiday (over such a bratty pest as Cameron Diaz, no less) Because I Said So is entitled to keep its opinion that a woman's infidelity is acceptable--but that shouldn't entitle the creative team to paint the male characters in such a shallow and brainless way. I mean honestly, poor Stephen Collins just after experiencing a religious awakening in 7th Heaven, is literally used here as a 60 year old sex-toy.

But I criticize Because I Said So's script difficulties like an overbearing and loving father. This is Diane Keaton's movie and she delivers a truly joyful performance. As if you could argue with a mother - Hollywood starlet. Grade: B-