Jane (Meryl Streep - Doubt) has spent the past 10 years getting over her divorce from Jake (Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock). After years of arguing, the couple have finally learnt how to co-exist and are friends once again. That still doesn't stop Jane from feeling uneasy around his younger new wife Agness (Lake Bell - What Happens In Vegas) though. When the youngest of their three kids nears graduation, Jane and Jake agree that the whole family should meet up in New York for the ceremony. Whilst there Jake and Jane end up sleeping together and Jake admits that he is still in love with her. Having spent so long getting over him, can Jane revert to old habits? Thrown into the mix is Adam (Steve Martin - The Pink Panther), an architect Jane quite likes who happens to be working on the building extension to her house. Which suitor will she go for, the old one or the new? Love proves once again that it's complicated!
Nancy Meyers is no stranger to romantic comedies but It's Complicated is definitely the director's finest work to date. It's truly hilarious and thanks to a superb cast all delivering their A-game, It's Complicated is a fun and affectionate take on marriage, divorce and what comes after.
Meryl Streep once again proves that she is the finest actress of her time. She makes Jane a multi-layered character who manages to let her insecurities peek through the comedy and slapstick on show. She is joined by 30 Rock favourite and comeback kid Alec Baldwin who has never been better (even if he does sometimes look like Terry Wogan). Steve Martin gets a good opportunity to play it straight and really does well as Jane's other beau. The best thing Meyers has accomplished in the film is making all three leads likable with both being great fits for Jane's affections.
Of the supporting cast, John Krasinski from The Office does best as Jane's soon to be son-in-law who is the only one who knows that she is having an affair with her ex-husband. The scene where he finds out they are together is brilliant as is the time he stumbles upon Jane and Jake smoking pot in his guest bathroom.
The film is also shot beautifully too - something that is rarely seen in this genre. Having Jane as a bakery owner gives Meyers free reign to shoot sumptuous scenes of food and drink to showcase her talents as a chef whilst having Jane live in a beautiful ranch in the country makes for some impressive landscapes.
With a brilliant soundtrack, strong performances throughout and hilarious set-pieces aplenty, It's Complicated comes in as a fantastic movie full of memorable characters and fresh dialogue that deserves some recognition come awards-season. It's a fun take on the romantic comedy genre which so often never features lead actors past their 30's. It's something Hollywood tends to shy away from for their mainstream pictures but their loss is It's Complicated's gain - having such accomplished talent on show really makes for wonderful viewing. Don't miss this, it's excellent.
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