It's Complicated starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin broke all the standard rules of the Hollywood romantic comedy. There is no "meet cute" featuring a misunderstanding that must be concealed. All the parties no each other or meet through a normal course of business. While there are complications, there are no contrived misunderstandings to keep the lovers apart. Also more than halfway into the film I still didn't know which couple would end up together. And finally, the biggest rule breaker of them all, all the actors are over 50. It's Complicated is a romantic comedy for adults.
Other than that it's a pretty standard comedy with strong performances by all three stars. Jane has been divorced from Jake for ten years. She has moved on with her life and become a successful businesswoman in Santa Barbara. Jake has married the much younger Agness (Lake Bell).
Jane and and Jake meet in NYC for their son's graduation, get drunk and sleep together. Jake becomes enamored with Jane and wants to have an affair. In the meantime Jane is having an addition built onto her house and has started a romantic relationship with Adam (Martin). Suddenly Jane finds herself having to juggle men and conceal the renewed relationship with Jake from their children; while Jake cheats on his new wife with his ex.
These romantic complications make for fine comedy without falling into slapstick. The witty banter of Jake and Jane is entertaining and Steve Martin is endearing as a man learning how to fall in love again.
The kids have the thankless role of reacting to their parents shenanigans and the script does them a disservice at the end.
Fun and entertaining if inconsequential.
At The movie house rating ** 1/2 stars
2 comments:
Idid not see this movie, however, I give it 4 stars...The reason...While I was in my office my lovely wife was upstairs watching this film on TV...she laughed for 2 hours straight...and she doesn't laugh unless its funny...and heck, even if it isn't funny, it gets 4 stars for making her laugh
Alec Baldwin is very funny. he has turned into a brilliant comedian. And Steve martin is Steve martin. meryl Streep holds her own against these two clowns.
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