It's Complicated: Starring Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep

It's Complicated was a movie that I did not expect to like, because of the plot description given as well as the trailer. The trailer made this movie seem silly. Who was "starring" in It's Complicated made a difference and helped me decide. Who does not want to watch a movie with Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and Meryl Streep in it? These three actors are known for their superb acting skills and outstanding performances. To have these three actors in one movie is like receiving a big bonus that every one would fight over; the very best kind. So, I went ahead and rented this film with preconceived negative notions. Absolutely certain I would not like it. I felt suckered again for choosing It's Complicated , because Steve Martin was in this movie. I happen to be one of the few who have been following his career since Saturday Night Live when he was one of the original "Prime Time Players" (He was the one doing the "King Tut" and was one of the Czechoslovakian brothers in "Those Wild and Crazy Guys" skits in the late 70's, the glory days for Saturday Night Live ). I could not pass up watching another movie with Steve Martin in it. According to the trailer Steve Martin was portraying an "ordinary" architect. How extraordinary! Steve Martin "ordinary"? I had to see that for myself.

It's Complicated begins with Jane Adler (Meryl Streep) and Jake Adler (Alec Baldwin), who are a couple that divorced 10 years prior, at an anniversary party for a couple they both are still friends, Sally (Nora Dunn) and Ted (Bruce Altman). Jane and Jake are both amicable even around Jake's current wife, Agness Adler (Lake Bell), who is stunning, young, and everything Jane despises. Jane has remained single since their divorce, extremely busy with her bakery in Santa Barbara, California and raising her three lovely children. She is self-reliant and accomplished. There has been zero time in her life for any relationship with any man. The best thing that has happened since Jane's divorce is that she can afford to remodel her home and get the kitchen she always dreamed of having. Jane leaves the anniversary party before Jake and Agness; it is too difficult for Jane to keep smiling, pretend to have a good time, when having to make nice with her ex-husband who married the mistress that was the catalyst that destroyed Jane's marriage. Having both of them at the same party is very rough on Jane.

Jane expediently hires and meets with an architect firm for the remodeling of her home. Peter (Robert Curtis Brown), the architect she originally hired from the firm, introduces Jane to Adam (Steve Martin), the genius of the architect firm that came up with all the changes Jane loves. She agrees to have Adam oversee the remodeling of her home and makes an appointment with Adam to visit her home in order to "get the ball rolling" for the remodeling. This begins a work relationship between Adam and Jane that leads to a platonic friendship by the time her son Luke Adler (Hunter Parrish) is about to graduate from college in New York.

While away in New York for her son's graduation, Jane finds herself alone for her son is busy with post-graduation parties and has included his two sisters, Lauren Adler (Caitlin Fitzgerald) and Gabby Adler (Zoe Kazan) as well as Lauren's fiance Harley (John Krasinski) in all the post-graduation festivities. The night before Luke's graduation, Jake finds Jane alone at the hotel bar. He is by himself because his wife Agness had to stay home and care for their five year old son, Pedro Adler (Emjay Anthony) who had become ill. Not wanting to make a scene and feeling lonely, Jane agrees to have dinner with her ex-husband which leads to getting drunk together and then having "drunk sex" together. This "mistake" leads to Jane and Jake having an affair that continues even when they return to California from New York. Jane, knowing "this is wrong", after receiving advise from her therapist, Dr. Alan (Peter Mackenzie), becomes Jake's "other woman". Jane and her three lady friends (played by Mary Kay Place, Alexandra Wentworth, and Rita Wilson) rationalize that this is a "Karmic get back" to Agness for doing the exact same thing to Jane when she was married to Jake.

All goes well between Jane and Jake until their affair goes sour when Jane learns what "being the other woman" is really like. She is stood up for the romantic dinner they planned because Jake could not get away from his current marital obligations. This wake up call precipitates Jane ending the affair. She cannot stomach being a home-wrecker and "the other woman." Jane realizes that it is not fair to Agness and Pedro, no matter what Agness had done in the past.

Believing she is free from Jake and the affair, Jane allows herself to be attracted to Adam who is preoccupied with overseeing the remodeling of her home. All of Adam's remodeling ideas are perfect. Not only is he a good architect, Adam is also a very nice man who Jane is surprised to learn has been divorced for two years. The more she gets to know Adam the more Jane likes Adam (vice versa too). As their friendship develops into something a little more serious, Jane invites Adam to her son's graduation party in Santa Barbara.

Jake, having been spying on Jane while she and Adam go through the "get to know you" phase, mistakenly believes Adam is the reason Jane decided to end their affair. Jake becomes overly determined to complicate matters by devising mean schemes to oust Adam from Jane's life so Jake can resume his affair with Jane. These diabolical machinations of Jake bring about numerous complications in Jane's life. Jake literally turns Jane's life upside down and creates the worst set of problems for any new relationship. Catching Jake in the act of his dastardly "break up Jane and Adam" deeds wakes Jane up to where she sees Jake as he really is, despicable and a cad. Jane realizes she must eradicate Jake completely out of her life or she will never be ready for any new relationship with some one better suited for Jane. It is one thing to have a "complicated" life, yet another to have a meddling ex-husband with ulterior motives lurking about the house. Jane comes to the realization that a person cannot have a wholesome relationship with another as long as an ex is "in the picture."

It's Complicated, released in 2009, is rated R and 2 hours 1 minute in length. Nancy Meyers, who wrote and directed this hilarious comedy, has every reason to be proud for this film's nomination for the Golden Globe award for the Comedy genre. Nancy Meyers, cast and crew created a fun movie that in spite of the R rating, had only one mooning scene; no other nudity shown. Do not personally recommend It's Complicated to be viewed by those under 18 years of age due to very adult subject matter that shows two parents not at their very best.

For those who are fans of Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, John Krasinski (most known for his portrayal as Jim Halpert in the televisions series The Office ) and Meryl Streep this movie is a "must see!" They were awesome! Do you prefer a good comedy with a real plot and solid ending? It's Complicated is for you!

Enjoy!