By Penny K
It’s Complicated is not your run of the mill Hollywood rom-com about young, good-looking city dwellers like what you might find in Have You Met the Morgans?. In this one, the stars are veteran actors who play over the hill ex-husband and wife, Jake (Alec Baldwin) and Jane Adler (Meryl Streep). Ten years of divorce and yet, as you will see in the film, they haven’t gotten their shit together.
Like most divorcees in their 50s, Jane has gotten over cheating ex-husband but is experiencing severe empty nest syndrome; all three children have grown and flown the coop. Jane’s motherly duties are almost done but her love life is dry as the chocolate croissant she whips up with deft hands in the kitchen. Her only solace is dinner parties with three good friends who cackle like hyenas at the drop of a pin you can’t help but wonder how she can enjoy and not fear their company.
Jake, on the other hand, has moved on – or so it seems. Ever the flirt and charmer, he had remarried a nubile, hot, young thing, Agness (Lake Bell). The marriage however is beginning to show cracks, as age would have it, Jake faces fertility problems. Agness’ ovum dictates the incidence of sex between the couple in order to conceive a child. Whether out of love or money is anyone’s guess.
A series of unfortunate events later, the exes each on the brink of desperation in their lives, are brought together. One thing leads to another and soon, they have become “exes with benefits”. A total facepalm situation. Jane loves it for the attention Jake never gave her while they were married and Jake loves it for the clandestine sex.
Just before you
fall into the trap of hoping these two young adults in saggy bodies rekindle their relationship, Jane’s architect, Adam (Steve Martin) enters the picture and complicates matters further. He likes Jane; Jane really likes him but can’t stop seeing Jake. See, told you it’s complicated!
The equation of Jake, Jane and Adam is plot-wise very complex but cast-wise brilliant and leads to misadventure that splits sides! Baldwin plays his part all too well for Jake is charming but annoying and arrogant. The talented Streep is motherly, caring and still alluring. Martin plays Mr. Old Man Nice Guy adequately well too. Come to think of it, I’m surprised the old ones managed to make such an impact when I spent all film lusting over Jake and Jane’s son, Luke (Hunter Parrish, you would remember him as Silas if you watch TV series Weeds).
Watch this movie because it is a plot seldom explored and for the lessons you learn. I believe the winning formula of romantic comedies is awkward characters that look a face of calm but are really struggling inside. Like swans as you see them on surfaces of ponds, Jake, Jane and Adam are really birds of a same feather.
The days of onscreen perfect couples living perfect lives are over. I like imperfection, rough and tumble, and moments of weakness for tragic flaws make a hero. Eventually, chaos ‘unwinds’ and some semblance of order is restored. After having their hearts broken a second time, all three adult-children are finally free to grow up.
Yep: Plot revolves around an “oh shit” moment that’s no fun to be in but great fun to watch.
Oh: Jane’s girlfriends’ horrid laughter. Women don’t become hyenas after dark, even if they prowl in packs!
Verbatim:
Jane: Where does your wife think you are?
Jake: Yoga. Now, are you ready for a little “downward facing dog”?
Thumbs: 4.5 out of 5 Thumbs
The official website is kinda cool too.
http://itscomplicatedmovie.com/
Agreed! Thanks for the link :)