FILM CHALLENGE: 168) It's Complicated

168) It's Complicated

Director: Nancy Meyers

Year: 2009

Plot Summary: When attending their son's college graduation, a couple reignite the spark in their relationship, but the complicated fact is they're divorced and he's remarried.

An insight into a modern relationship, It's Complicated is the story of Jane who, after her son's graduation party, hooks up with her now re-married ex-husband Jake. At the same time, she finds herself attracted to her recently divorced architect Adam.

By no means is It's Complicated a great movie. The complication in writer and director Nancy Meyers' new movie, for example, remain more in the scenarios than the emotions. Therefore, it's difficult to connect to any of the characters and what they go through. Nancy Meyers' characterisations, moreover, are a little obvious and, despite the fact that they appear for a good slice of the screen time, Jane's children serve little purpose to the narrative expect for in one or two small scenes.

Nevertheless, it does succeed in one area that elevates the whole movie above its faults: The acting.

Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin are having so much fun in this romantic comedy that it's impossible not to get swept up in the good time they're having as well. Streep is a pleasure to watch as her character rediscovers her attractiveness and worth during a mid-life crisis, Baldwin stirs up many laughs with the confident satisfaction he exudes in seducing his ex-wife and juvenile jealousy he exhibits when another man comes across Jane's radar, and Martin shows a rare tenderness and fragility in how he deals with post-divorce life.

Even when, in reflection, you realise that It's Complicated is entirely meaningless and has nothing to say, it's impossible to deny the entertainment that these three bring to the screen.

In the end, what you are left with here is a well-acted romantic comedy that, in spite of its faults, is a mature insight into a modern relationship. Don't expect anything profound or artistic and you'll have a good time.

3/5

By Daniel Sarath with No comments