It's Complicated...Summer Movie Review

The film stars Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin in a sort of middle-aged (dare I say AARP-aged) love triangle about a married man (Baldwin) who tries to rekindle a relationship with his ex-wife and the woman (Streep) who is torn between the man that left her ten years ago and the dorky, insecure architect (Martin) who's building her new house. Like any rom-com you can predict from the beginning who she ends up with, although there ARE a few moments when you start to doubt your original decision...

The acting was superb, particularly from the three main characters, as well as the supporting cast; John Krasinski (aka Jim from The Office) was a major source of comedic relief, as well as just an all-around American cutie. Another character I found quite enjoyable to watch was Lake Bell, and it wasn't just for her incredible legs. She plays Agnes, the younger, new wife of the Alec Baldwin character. It was hard not to feel sorry for her, even if she did start out as the "other" women, as she slowly watches her husband fall back into love with his ex-wife.

A few things I couldn't grasp, however, were the success and appearance of the characters. I thought it was unrealistic how she could make that much food for breakfast with her family, maintain a large vegetable garden, run a huge bakery in the city etc etc. It's a little distracting when you're constantly thinking, "Well, that's just silly, she couldn't have made all that food in only fifteen minutes as the film would suggest..."

Another part I didn't like: all the sex. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE sex...but I'm just not sure I feel comfortable watching post-coital interactions between two people in their late fifties. Nor can I relate or appreciate discussions about the importance of having sex and closed up vaginas between a group of yappy women of the same age. That, perhaps, is just a 'me' thing, as I have discussed the film with two women in their late forties/early fifties, and neither seemed to have an issue with it.

Overall I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars, props for originality (Lord knows it's nice not to see Kate Hudson and some cheesey-faced male co-star in every single romantic comedy these days), and great acting. I suppose that's what you get though when you cast multiple award-winning actors in a movie that probably won't win any awards. I'll be in no rush to rent it/buy it when it's released on DVD, but I'll definitely recommend it to all my mother's divorced friends...eat up, ladies!