On CLIPS In January, 2010
IT'S COMPLICATED

Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin team up as a divorced couple who have an affair in this romantic comedy from writer/director Nancy Meyers.

TRIVIA: Nancy Meyers wrote and directed which 2003 romantic comedy about an elderly swinger?

While attending her son's college graduation, Jane (Meryl Streep) begins an affair with ex-husband Jake (Alec Baldwin), who happens to be married to the much younger Agness (Lake Bell). To make matters worse, Jane becomes attracted to architect Adam (Steve Martin). "It's Complicated" tries real hard to be a modern update of those Doris Day & Rock Hudson romantic comedies of the 50s and 60s. It only half succeeds. The trio of superstars deliver as many tongue-in-cheek jokes as the script allows, complete with a couple of sight gags. It's just that director and writer Nancy Meyers ("The Holiday") doesn't allow many. Still, Meryl Streep gets to go wild-and-crazy with Steve Martin after smoking a joint. As the owner of a bakery, she also revisits her inner Julia Child. The supporting players have very little to do. John Krasinski does manage to steal scenes as Harley, the future son-in-law who is very uncomfortable knowing about the affair. There are moments of gut-busting hilarity, but not much to laugh at in between. A few subplots and twists may have added some interest. "It's Complicated" is not as complicated as it should be.