“It’s Complicated” is a fun, feel-good movie about a push-and-pull dynamic between a woman who should know better, and her persistent but charming pursuer. The story line is simple: a middle-aged couple who has been divorced for 10 years start up an affair with each other.
Jane (Meryl Streep) is an owner of a bakery shop and her ex-husband Jake (Alec Baldwin) is married to a much younger woman. The family is reunited in New York to celebrate their youngest son’s graduation. Jane goes to the hotel bar to have a drink, and coincidentally, Jake is there. The pair start talking and have a good time on the dance floor, which leads to them going back to the hotel room together.
An affair between Jane and Jake ensues while they try to hide it from their children and Jake’s wife Agnes. Meanwhile, Jane’s relationship with her architect Adam (Steve Martin) is growing, causing yet another complication in Jane’s love life.
Although at first it seems the characters are hard to relate to — there are probably few people in the audience who have found themselves in a similar situation — they are just so funny and charming that every age and gender can easily enjoy this movie. These are characters worth rooting for and the story keeps you entertained every step of the way.
The jokes were laugh-out-loud good and even seemingly over-the-top slapstick comedy scenes fit in with the pacing and plot of the film. There were a number of heartfelt moments that did not feel out of place or clichéd.
The acting was fantastic; although with a main cast of such quality, nothing less than great acting can be expected. Streep was excellent as a funny but thoughtful woman, struggling with what felt right for her and what seems to be the right thing for her family and friends.
Baldwin was quirky and comical playing a man who contrasted Streep’s character by not over-thinking things. A pleasant surprise was Martin as Adam, which was a relatively serious role compared to Jane and Jake’s characters. Martin deviated smoothly from his regular bumbling comedic roles to playing a nice, ordinary man. John Krasinksi was another memorable character as the fiancée of one of Jane and Jake’s daughters; he had a small but equally entertaining role.
“It’s Complicated” is simply a great movie guaranteed to put a smile on your face by the time you leave the theater.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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