SYNOPSIS:
Two-time Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep,
Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin star in this hilarious look
at marriage, divorce and everything in between. Jane (Streep)
has three grown kids, a thriving Santa Barbara bakery and
an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, Jake (Baldwin).
Now, a decade after their divorce, an innocent dinner between
Jane and Jake turns into the unimaginable: an affair. Caught
in the middle of their rekindled romance are Jake's young
wife and Adam (Martin), a recently divorced architect who
starts to fall for Jane. Could love be sweeter the second
time around? It's… complicated!
MOVIE REVIEW:
We
know it’s hard for a bunch of old folks to ignite the
box-office but it’s always a good thing to see them
having a fun time onscreen in this comedy from the director
of "What Women Want" and "Something’s
Gotta Give", Nancy Meyers.
"It’s
Complicated" is definitely not that complicated in fact
it’s a fluffy affair about divorce, marriage and love
involving three seniors, ex-husband and wife, Jake (Alec Baldwin),
Jane (Meryl Streep) and a sweet architect, Adam (Steve Martin).
After a span of 10 years, Jake starts to fall in love with
his ex-wife, Jane again after attending their youngest son’s
graduation ceremony together. At the same time, Jane happens
to start a friendship (perhaps more) with the newly-divorced
Adam who is being tasked to remodel her house.
Meyer is an adept hand in creating digestible,
thinking man comedies. While not exactly subtle, it does try
to bring a few well-meaning messages that are pathetically
lost beneath all the shallow laughs and silly rom-com antics.
For example the interesting predicament showcasing Jake’s
unwillingness to have a baby with his younger sexy wife fails
to progress further with Meyer being far more engrossed in
unleashing Jake’s comedic sex romps with Jane.
Divorce can be a painful affair for both
the adults and their respective children. In Meyer’s
world, the Adlers had it easy it seems. The plotting does
indulge conveniently with rather unbelievable characters where
hatred doesn’t appear to exist and forgiveness abounds,
fortunately the movie redeems itself with the chemistry of
its cast.
As
the lusty, caught between his 'young wife and older ex-wife'
Jake Alden, Alec Baldwin overshadowed the comic performances
of fellow cast mates, Streep and Martin with his huge grin
and guffaws, a role that easily stands out after years of
being in the sideline on the big screen. The ever reliable
Meryl Streep seems far more comfortable in scenes with her
onscreen children with Martin getting a bit over-the-top in
one of the party scene. John Krasinski surprises one with
his excellent comic timing as Jane’s future son-in-law
who unwittingly caught Jane having an affair with Jake.
Setting
the story in cosy Santa Barbara, California and with characters
that drive luxury car, owned big houses and bakery indeed
makes it a lot easier for audience to take in all the sight
and sound. With an up-tempo, pleasing score by Hans Zimmer
and Heitor Pereira to go along, Nancy Meyer’s middle-age
comedy, "It’s Complicated" is as delightful
as a chocolate croissant, not the perfect dessert for teens
but it’s about right for the adults.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
The
Making of: It's Complicated is a 20 minutes EPK that
includes the usual cast and crew interviews. Writer/Director
Nancy Meyers, Executive Producer Suzanne Farwell, Director
of Photography John Toll and Editor Joe Hutshing get together
in one recording session for the Feature Commentary.
The track is bursting with information but undeniably gets
a bit dry before the first hour is up. Trailers
for Robin Hood, Couples Retreat and Blu-ray, Universal Orlando
Resort promo reels round up the rest of the extra features.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
For
a rom-com laden with dialogue, the sound is clear with occasional
ambient effects and the laidback score is highly recommended.
The visual is easy on the eyes and the nicely done cinematography
is a definite plus.
MOVIE RATING :
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Linus Tee
Posted
on 9 June 2010 |
