Agencies

Berlin

Jack Nicholson said he had no qualms about displaying his “big fat” posterior in the romantic comedy ‘Something’s Gotta Give’. Complimented by an Israeli journalist on his backside, exposed during an uproarious hospital scene in the film, the 66-year-old Nicholson drawled: “I’m very proud of my ass. I did suggest it for the poster of the picture and was told that would be illegal which I found both complimentary and interesting at the same time.”

Oscar-nominee Diane Keaton, who won a Golden Globe for her role in the film, was more modest about her nude appearance. “It was my pleasure to be naked in Nancy’s film,” she said, with a nod to director Nancy Meyers. “Hands down, you had to do the nude scene.”

Nicholson, who plays a bachelor notorious for only dating women under 30, accidentally walks in on a fully nude Keaton, setting off a slapstick sequence of bumbling that Keaton said always gets great laughs.

When asked whether Keanu Reeves — who plays a young doctor vying for her affections — or Nicholson, 66, was the better kisser, she said: “Jack, without a doubt.”

Francis McDormand, who plays Keaton’s sister in the film, heads the Berlin Film Festival’s international jury this year. The top honour, the Golden Bear, will be awarded on February 14.

Both Hollywood veterans said that they were both happy with the nude scenes they did.

The 58-year-old Keaton, who has been nominated for an Oscar for her role in the picture, said her brief flash of nudity in the film had required courage but was key to the part.

“I read the script and I thought that you had to do the nude scene because it sort of introduced the idea of intimacy in the movie,” said Keaton, sporting a red leather jacket and gloves and sipping a glass of red wine. “It was a great joke and we got several laughs from it and it was at my expense and I really enjoyed it. It was my pleasure to be naked in the movie.”

Cameraman Michael Ballhaus then grinned and said: “It was my pleasure too.”

A flirtatious Nicholson, wearing his trademark sunglasses, delighted in embarrassing his co-star before hundreds of journalists at the festival. “She likes to get naked in bed,” he joked, describing a love scene in the film as Keaton shrieked in delight.

“She blushes easily, don’t you honey?” he said as Keaton clutched her cheeks and grinned. ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ is appearing out of competition at the fest.