It's Complicated (2009)

Fresh and Exciting

A Masterpiece!

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Traditionally divorce is tough, it becomes even tougher when one is still in love with the other. Although the dialogue sometimes gets lost in what the film represents, it is still all about being true to one's self and family. The cast: Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Rita Wilson, John Krasinski, Lake Bell are all wonderful in the film. It's comical, mild in laughs but true to what a family needs. A divorced couple (Baldwin/Streep) have lingering feelings, un resolved issues and begin an affair of sorts even though Baldwin is married to a much younger (Bell). The ensuing comedy of covering up the affair is humorous, mild drug humor and fun to watch. Steve martin's character (Adam) as a divorced architect who is designing Streep's home additions is well placed BUT not in the film nearly enough. I enjoyed the screenplay and humor and moral of the story. Well done and get's a 6/10

The funniest moments in this flick are the ones with John Krasinski in. It was a very mild mannered movie and if you're in the mood for something very lighthearted, you'll likely enjoy at least parts of it. If have mixed feelings on the storyline, but mostly due to it being centered around people having affairs, whether Lake Bells character was awful or not...I'll never agree with cheating. If you're unhappy, either fix it or leave...but don't cheat. Alec Baldwin's character was irritating and self-involved, he didn't much care what Meryl Streep's character wanted...he just wanted her back and was prepared to mess up the life he'd created with a child in tow (whether he's his or not, that doesn't matter, he's still only 5 years old) as well, to get it. He's basically your average stereotypical man, who's left his Older Wife for the younger model...only to later realize, he'd made a mistake. He's not the first, and won't be the last! I usually like Steve Martin in movies, but he was very uncomedic like in this and somewhat more serious. And I guess I would've hoped for some more comedy, to maybe carry the storyline a little better than it just being about an affair! Meryl Streep I've never been a big fan of and in this flick, she was no different...but, she was watchable! The whole thing was just basically, watchable.

It was so refreshing to see a comedy that was geared toward the forgotten audience -- that is, people past their 30s. This film is so great that any age audience could enjoy it. Granted, they may not get all the jokes, because some of the irony is something you get over time - but it has enough to keep just about anyone's interest.It is important to keep in mind that this film is meant to be lighthearted and funny. Thus, it should be enjoyed that way, rather than trying to make it something it was never meant to be. Nor should it be compared against other dramatic work of the actors. The pairing of Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin is brilliant. All of these actors possess a pedigree such that their names speak for themselves. Therefore, watching them in this movie is a pure joy.Alec Baldwin's teen-aged antics are positively hilarious. Just about everyone can find themselves in a situation where the are reunited with an ex for some reason - so even this story is fathomable, making it all the more funny. More, please! Hollywood -- are you listening? We don't need more stupid movies with Katherine Heigl and Jennifer Aniston -- we need movies that celebrate all ages of life. People over 40, after all, are not dead yet!

Divorce, kids' moving away, a remodel, a new man, and an affair⎯ life really is complicated. It's Complicated is a romantic comedy that exemplifies what can happen after years of marriage, a divorce, followed by an impulsive night together. The director, Nancy Meyers, has written an ingenious and witty script with ripened humor and sexual content that is intended for adults. But it is the vibrant performance and effortless chemistry between Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep that motivates this film.Jane Adler (Streep) and Jake Adler (Baldwin) were married for 20 years and have three grown kids, but cheating caused their somewhat perfect marriage to come to a hasty halt. Now, 10 years later, Jake is married to his mistress (Lake Bell), and Jane is still single, unless you count her relationship with food. The two become reunited at their son's (Hunter Parrish) graduation and sparks between Jane and Jake ignite at a hotel bar. This is the beginning of their problematic affair. The dialogue and encounters between Baldwin and Streep make you actually think they were once lovers who still have yearning feelings towards each other. As their relationship unfolds, Baldwin and Streep's affair feels authentic, due to their on screen chemistry. By the first encounter, audiences can witness Jake's longing for Jane. Baldwin uses a sly smile and slight head turn to captivate Streep's attention. He also applies his lawyerly character to persuade Streep to stay in the wrongful affair. Streep uses shyness to her advantage in this role, to show how any woman would be reluctant to have an affair with their ex-husband. The affair causes tension between Jane and Jake, which is highlighted by Streep's subtle use of small nuances. Meryl Streep uses a realistic, yet awkward laugh when she is conflicted by her irrational affair with her ex-husband. Women everywhere, who have been in troublesome situations can relate to this laugh. Streep uses it when she is secretly with Baldwin to show that she is uncomfortable about the affair, when she has to lie to her children, when she divulges the affair to her best friends, and when she is starting to get close with Adam (Steven Martin), her architect; this laugh makes Jane feel real. Meryl Streep also uses a nuance of distraughtly tapping her chest when she is anxious. This tapping is seen when she is told that she needs an eyebrow lift where they will cut the skin off her forehead and staple it back on. This tap wasn't written into the script, but it was added by Streep to make Jane who she is.The complexity of the relationships and actors in this movie make it a satisfying romantic comedy. It's Complicated makes you want put yourself in Jane's shoes to see what you would do. Have an affair with your ex-husband who still loves you, but has a wife? Or start a relationship with your architect who is overly nice, but divorced?