Good Movie News: Review "It's Complicated"

It's Complicated - Movie Review

By Marty Meltz 

My 0-10 rating: 7

Genre: Comedy

Director: Nancy Meyers

Screenplay: Nancy Meyers

Starring: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, Lake Bell, Zoe Kazan, Mary Kay Place, Nora Dunn, Bruce Altman, Rita Wilson

Time: 1 hr., 58 min.

Rating: R (some drug content, sexuality)

A subtly, quietly moving comedy-romance, "It's Complicated" interests you, but after awhile you wonder why. Then you realize why: Meryl Streep and her intrinsic, immortal screen appeal. And if you're a baby boomer, you know why at a much deeper level.

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With little complicated, with the simplest and almost predictable plot, the film at first strikes you as under-ambitious. Even as a chick-flick, compared to genre offerings out there in these modern times, it feels initially weak.

I mean, there's just not, at least on the surface, a whole lot going on here. You won't find the clever and titillating twists and sophistication of classics in the genre, like "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sleepless in Seattle."

But what you will find is the natural intrigue in a love triangle between three appealing suburban 50-somethings, one of them played by Streep, all of whose energy of attraction is developed with a compelling thrust. Which is to say, you can be drawn into this. The suspense is soft and endearing.

And the film is not without really funny moments, especially toward the final resolution. There can be little denial, however, that Meryl Streep is the film's draw, plus the raw-nerve appeal to those age-50s who see something of themselves here. Neither Streep's character Jane nor the others are sufficiently substantive to go on a comedy roll in this. The script is honest but of limited scope. It's just that it sets up its three prime characters as strongly sympathetic. You'd really like the best for them. Yet this is a triangle. Something will have to break. Can it make you laugh a little along the way? Yes, for sure. And as a tragi-comical note from the adage that girls grow up but boys just grow older, it has a sharp knell.

Jane (Meryl Streep), mother of three grown kids, owns a thriving gourmet Santa Barbara bakery-restaurant. Although divorced, that could have been worse; it was 10 years ago, friendly, although he'd been a philanderer. During those years, Jake (Alec Baldwin) and she, upon occasionally meeting each other again by chance or to share the kids, find themselves still friendly. And that cute young thing, Agness (Lake Bell), who had robbed Jake's affections, he'd married.

Jane, despite her rewarding career, is not satisfied with aging and searches out some plastic surgery. In the improved appearances department, he'd also like to re-do her kitchen. For this, she'll bring in architect Adam (Steve Martin).

But the real intrigue arising among these 50-somethings is with Jake. Seems that Jane and Jake are now brought together by the advent of their son's college graduation. The innocent dining celebration in which they indulge turns out to be anything but. Indeed, Jake is re-discovering Jane. He's liking her -- a real lot.

And so is kitchen designer Adam -- just divorced. And exceedingly vulnerable.

So Jane has ironically become the other woman. Jake and Adam, realizing the prize they're seeing regularly, both begin coming on in earnest.

Other amusing involvements concern the children and, more humorously, Jane's friends (Rita Wilson, Mary Kay Place, Alexandra Wentworth, Nora Dunn), who jump in with lots of girl-girl wit, waggery and insight that only the gender can fathom.

Jake's wife, Agness, is personality-ugly, as needed.

Applause for Steve Martin in a finely executed tender and sensitive role. Alex Baldwin is quite serviceable and, Meryl Streep, well...

Marty Meltz, http://www.martymoviereviews.com, was the 30-year films critic for the Award-winning Maine Sunday Telegram until his column was terminated for budget cuts on Dec. 31, 2007.

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