Review of the Movie: "It's Complicated"

"It's complicated" is a movie that combines chick flick with raucous comedy and heartfelt emotion. It's got it all: divorce, adultery, sweet romance, sex and family all rolled into one of the most entertaining movies I've seen in years!

Why it's complicated: Jane and Jake

Jane (played by Meryl Streep) is a woman who has survived divorce after a twenty year marriage, raised her three children and is now comfortable in her skin and her life. She runs a bakery, where she serves her sumptuous pastries that she learned to make while attending a culinary school in Europe after her divorce. Her divorce sent her down the path of self fulfillment, having turned her passion for baking into a successful business.

Jake (Alec Baldwin) is a maturely handsome, successful attorney who has remarried a much younger woman; the same woman who is responsible for breaking up his twenty year marriage to Jane. While strained, the three have somehow developed a civil relationship.

Adam (Steve Martin) adds to the complication as a recent love interest of Jane's. He appears in the movie early on as an architect who has designed a renovation for Jane's gorgeous Santa Barbara home, and we easily detect the obvious attraction between them. Steve Martin's role in this movie is closer to the one he played in "Father of the Bride": with subdued humor, and none of his old wacky, stand-up routine.

The Family Connection in "It's Complicated"

As many of us know, once you have children with someone, you have a lifetime relationship. This movie centers around Jane and Jake's personal interactions, as well as their shared love for their grown children. After ten years of divorce, the movie brings them together again for their youngest son's college graduation.

"It's Complicated" portrays realistically how divorced parents relate to one another, and the challenge they have in making their post-divorce relationship one that is comfortable for the kids. So, in the beginning, Jake and Jane are brought together as parents, but, quickly, their situation takes a complicated turn. A shared dinner and a few bottles of wine reignite the passion they once had for each other, but have buried during the ten years they have been divorced..

Jane's Sweet Revenge

Without giving it all away, right after Jane shares a romantic dinner with her architect, Adam, Jane discovers that Jake still has an interest in her. Out of character, Jane lets down her guard as she becomes weak to his charm and their history. And, unintentionally, Jane gets the taste of sweet revenge as she becomes the "other" woman and has an affair with Jake. (Take that, younger wife!) The plot thickens and the triangle forms.

Laugh out Loud Humor in "It's Complicated"

There are many hilarious scenes in this movie that had the whole movie theater in uproarious laughter. In my opinion, the best scenes are: Jane and Jake's hotel tryst; then when Jake lies in front of Jane's computer, unbeknownst to her, during a virtual chat with Adam; and finally the marijuana scene.

Whether you are divorced or not, this movie with make you laugh and cry. I loved the combination of strength and softness that Meryl Streep brings to her character. Alec Baldwin was genius in portraying his character in such a way that you don't hate him for his indiscretions. And Steve Martin shows off his leading man qualities as a lovable, wise and attractive man.

"It's complicated" shines a light on the hope inside many divorced couples' heads as they wonder, "Could we make this union work if we tried again?" But you'll have to find out for yourself what happens between Jane and Jake! If you enjoy watching a plot centered around real life in a fun comedy, this movie will fit the bill!

Related Reading:
"Dating for Women Over Fifty: Fishing in a Shallow Pond"
"Five Rules for Women During Divorce"