Everyone seems shocked when they find out “And So It Goes” is the first time veteran actors Michael Douglas, 69, and Diane Keaton, 68, have worked together.

“I take that as a compliment because it means that we must look very comfortable working together,” Douglas says. “I knew going in the movie that it would be a real treat to work with her, but after the first day I knew that it was just going to be a lot of fun. She’s a sweetheart and so talented.

“Diane has a way of making you think you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

Douglas is no slouch, either. Since he started his professional career in the mid-60s, he has racked up an impressive list of credits including the TV show “The Streets of San Francisco” and the films “Wall Street,” “The American President” and “Traffic.”

In his latest role, Douglas plays a cranky real estate agent who has no time for kids, pets, neighbors or anyone who isn’t looking to buy a house. Douglas has always had a knack for playing a character who shouldn’t be likable. He says part of it is bringing humor to the role.

“Also, it took me a long time to realize that it’s just a fortunate trait I have. In ‘Fatal Attraction,’ where I go back to the apartment and mess up the bed to make it look like I was there all night, the audience started laughing. I had done something horrible but the audience had already forgiven me,” Douglas says. “I have this quality that allows an audience to forgive me no matter how much of an (expletive deleted) I am.”

Douglas has played the leading man plenty of times over the years. But it’s not often that two actors who have reached the age where they can get Social Security get to star in a romantic comedy.

“I think there’s something going on with the Baby Boomers. They are the largest section of our public and because kids are more into video games, wi-fi and television, more adults are trying to get out of the house. Our hope is that there is an audience for an adult love story,” Douglas says.

Laughing, he adds that it will probably make some kids gag to think there are people in their ’60s still “getting it on.”

Not only did the chance to make a romantic comedy surprise Douglas, but he is a little shocked that he has been working so much in recent years.

His battle with tongue cancer four years ago had some people speculating that his acting days were over. He’s proven everyone wrong, especially with his starring role in the 2013 movie “Behind the Candelabra.” His portrayal of Liberace received critical acclaim and earned him an Emmy Award.

Getting to work with Keaton on “And So It Goes” was a joy for Douglas. He was also impressed with his young co-star Sterling Jerins.

He watched her shoot a dramatic scene where director Rob Reiner told the young actress she didn’t really need to cry until they were shooting her close-ups.

“But she cried 17 times. Every angle. She’s a wonderful actress,” Douglas says. “On the other hand, the dog that’s in the movie is the worst dog I have ever worked with. Whoever cast that dog should be shot because the trainers had no idea what they were doing.”

By Rick Bentley

(The Fresno Bee)

(MCT Information Services)