Michael Douglas welcomes life's surprises in 'And So It Goes'

MANILA, Philippines- Best Actor Oscar-winner Michael Douglas stars in Castle Rock Entertainment's new comedy “And So It Goes.”

He plays the role of Oren Little, a once-successful real estate broker whose wife passed away several years earlier after a protracted battle with cancer. Now, an unexpected arrival leads him to open his heart to his family, to romance, and to life itself.

His character, Oren, had particular appeal. "I'm always attracted to characters that are not very attractive, but ultimately come around," Douglas notes. "I enjoy the challenge of trying to get the audience onto my side."

In the film, there are a million reasons not to like realtor Oren Little, and that's just the way he likes it. Willfully obnoxious to anyone who might cross his path, he wants nothing more than to sell one last house and retire in peace and quiet -- until his estranged son suddenly drops off Sara (Sterling Jerins), a granddaughter he never he had.

Clueless about how to care for a sweet, abandoned nine-year-old, he pawns her off on his determined and lovable neighbor Leah (Keaton) and tries to resume his life uninterrupted.

Over time, Sarah's need for love and affection bring Oren and Leah closer and allow them to see different sides of one another. Initially solely consumed with the prospect of selling his family home to fund his retirement, Oren soon discovers Leah is more than an extra set of hands to help with Sarah, and Leah learns that Oren's hardened exterior might be just that, with a humanity inside worth trying to break through to.

Together, Oren and Leah tackle the funny, joyous, awkward and sometimes intense moments that have become their new reality.

The film marks Douglas' second film with director Rob Reiner at the helm. "I love working with Rob, especially since we had worked together on `The American President,'" the actor says. "There's a comfort factor - you don't have to go through the introductions. There's shorthand.

“Rob trusts his instincts. He doesn't like to do a lot of takes, likes to move things along. And he knows everybody's lines. On 'Action,' he just goes into another world. He puts his nose up to the monitor and watches everything really, really closely. And he has a stellar history with comedies."

Douglas was attracted to the project not only for the opportunity to work with Reiner again, but also by the script and the qualities of his character. "Mark Andrus is quite a writer. He's got a wonderful quirky tone, and he writes these really interesting, well-defined characters. I could tell it was a great love story with a good sense of humor," he said.

The production also had another advantage: it was filmed in suburban Connecticut, not far from the actor's home in Westchester.

"I had just done `Behind the Candelabra' and `Last Vegas'. So the idea of filming at home was great. It was just a 25-minute drive to get back to the house and see my kids every night. That was very attractive."

Also starring Diane Keaton, And So It Goes will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide starting Sept. 24.