It's Complicated when Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin explore love after divorce in this old fashioned rom com. Director-writer Nancy Meyers contributes pitch perfect dialogue to the laugh fest.
We first meet Jane and Jake Adler (Streep and Baldwin) at a party right before her son's college graduation. Jake is joined by his second wife, the slithery young Agness (Lake Bell). It's clear that Jane is still dealing with her friendly divorce from Jake 10 years later. What she doesn't know is that Jake has renewed interest in her.
Jane now runs a bakery-coffeehouse downtown, and has bought a home in Santa Barbara. She nurtures her grown children (including sweet, empathetic future son-in-law John Krasinski), and girlfriends who come to dinner regularly.
Soon Jane will start home renovations aided by architect Adam (understated and very funny Steve Martin). She finally feels good about herself.
Jake, a crafty, smooth-talking law partner, aims to rekindle the flame. Jake meets Jane at a bar (he's alone as Agness tends to an ill child.) The two have dinner, and then hit the dance floor.
Misadventures multiply as they have an affair which they carefully hide from their families. It's a liaison that could upset the delicate balance of past and present.
Meanwhile Adam asks Jane out and she eventually cooks him a wonderful dinner. When Adam and Jane share a giggly high at a party, Jake realizes he must decide soon about his current marriage. Jane is having a blast, but she'll have to choose between her two suitors.
Jane's girlfriends (Mary Kay Place, Rita Wilson and Alexandra Wentworth) are a hoot as they debate the affair's right and wrong. After all, Place says, "He was yours first."
Jane and Jake's grown kids (Hunter Parrish, Zoe Kazan and Kaitlin Fitzgerald) bring their own self-absorption and emotions. Krasinski shines as Harley, the fiancée of the Adler's eldest daughter, with a number of side-splitting scenes.
Jake's fateful nude scene which is broadcast live online may make movie history. Baldwin used a body double.
Streep, a stirring success as Julia Child in Julie & Julia, whips up mouthwatering home meals and chocolate croissants in her bakery. Despite a rollercoaster plot, Meyers serves us a comforting, feel-good movie about love in its many forms.
If you like It's Complicated you might enjoy: Date Night; Just Go With It; City Island; The Kids are All Right.
It's Complicated 2009 / R / 2 hrs, 1 min
Cast Overview: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, John Krasinski, Lake Bell, Zoe Kazan, Hunter Parrish, Mary Kay Place, Rita Wilson, Alexandra Wentworth
Director: Nancy Meyers
Genres: Comedy, Romantic Comedy
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