182: It's Complicated

It's Complicated (R) - 2009 - Runtime: 120 minutes
Starring: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin
Director: Nancy Meyers

This was Maggie and I's Christmas movie. Every year we try to watch a movie at the theaters on Christmas Day. This was a good pick. I really have enjoyed Nancy Meyer's movies. The Holiday and Something's Gotta Give were pretty terrific. And this one is no different. A lot of critics trashed this movie because it seemed like a step down for such high profile actors like Streep, Baldwin and Martin - but to me, this was just hilarious and it didn't come off pretentious or completely unbelievable or ridiculous. It's pretty amazing that a movie about middle aged singles can connect with a twenty-something married man like myself, but hey! Movie magic, am I right?

Meryl Streep plays Jane, a single woman who's long been divorced to Jake (Baldwin) when suddenly Jake's married life turns sour and they decide to have another go at it. It's an affair that they hide from everyone and eventually it complicates (see, that's where they got the title!) their whole family life and possible love interests (this is where Steve Martin fits in). It's a funny movie (the whole theater was laughing so hard at times that I couldn't make out dialogue in certain parts) and the pot smoking scene was pretty hysterical (even if it was cliched). John Krasinski plays the son-in-law to be for Jane and Jake - and one who finds out about their romantic rendezvous - and he has some great moments and gags, too. Some would say this movie sinks to the lowest common denominator to get it's laughs and sometimes it does (the pot sequence comes to mind) - but the characters have depth to them and the plot is not as straightforward as it would seem. The acting is great and it's just a funny movie that is worth checking out!

Rating: See It!