It's Complicated
- Jayde Walker
- Jan 26, 2010
- 2 min read
Harking back to the good ol' days of the 50s sexless sexual comedy, It's Complicated is a charming rom-com for the grey nomad generation, blending modern-day family issues with old-school charm. And a lot more sex.
What’s the deal?
Jane (Meryl Streep) is a small-town Martha Stewart-esque businesswoman and starter wife of Jake (Alec Baldwin), a charismatic smoothie who left her a decade prior for a younger model, Agness (Lake Bell). Jane becomes an empty nester at the same time Agness wants a child; Jane’s newfound independence is suddenly attractive to Jake and the pair embark on an affair. Complications arise when Jane meets-cute Adam (Steve Martin), the newly divorced architect in charge of renovating her kitchen.
It’s good!
Simply put, It’s Complicated is a quirky, fun rom-com with a great A-list cast. I’ve always taken Meryl Streep for granted. She’s always so good that you actually forget how good she actually is. You can tell she’s really thought about her character, about the type of woman Jane once was (the type of woman, for example, Jake would be attracted to) and the type of woman she’s subsequently become. Alec Baldwin just becomes cooler and better with age. Sure, the role isn’t exactly a stretch from 30 Rock's Jack Donahy but Baldwin makes him charming. John Krasinski continues his likeable, but typecast, everyman schtick with aplomb in a supporting role as son-in-law Harley.
What’s wrong with you?
In the hands of lesser actors, It’s Complicated would be a moderate affair. The sweetly-tempered Jane is really a ridiculous cliché – not only is she a successful pastry chef, she’s apparently the world’s best homemaker and mother. Jake is co-dependent and immature, bouncing from woman to woman as soon as the going gets tough. Adam is just a prerequisite nice guy. Yet, the cast inject as much depth as they can into the two-dimensional characters to make the script actually touching and moving. The only really jarring bit in the movie is Steve Martin's quite obvious nip'n'tuck job.
Neo-Maxi Zoom Dweeb-ery
Hollywood has never really recaptured the magic of the Day/Hudson 'sex' comedies of the 50s, which got diluted as a genre to a schmaltzy rom-com. I say ‘sex’ because there wasn’t a lot of actual sex going down onscreen in the late 50s/early 60s. What Day/Hudson managed to convey quite brilliantly, and without excessive physical contact, was the simmering lust of early infatuation. It was a mental connection, fuelled by Hudson’s smarmily flirtatious entendres and Day’s ice maiden defensive. I put the success of Day/Hudson’s films down to two factors. Firstly, Day’s independent female characters (the blueprint for every romcom heroine going forward) were very unique in the 50s/60s, an embodiment of what 'modern' women aspired to be. She was apparently so different that she managed to firmly capture the heart of a roguish confirmed bachelor. In comparison, there is nothing unusual today about a single successful woman. Secondly, age. Day/Hudson were not 'lovestruck youths'. They were mature, experienced, sophisticated individuals - truly the Carrie/Big of their day.
Truth?
It’s Complicated has some really amusing moments and brings up some suprisingly pertinent issues about relationships. It’s not high art, but it’s moving and fun with a stellar cast, cute plot and some genuine laughs.
Bender Fist Pumps
3/5
