It’s Complicated (2009)

VERDICT:
6/10 Viagra Junkies 

Funny, but would have been funnier if I had menopause.

It’s Complicated is about a single ex-wife and her newly-married ex-husband who, after ten years of being bitterly divorced, find themselves staying at the same hotel for their son’s college graduation and, thanks to a whole lot of booze, strike up an affair with each other that neither of them saw coming. The ex-husband is all about it since he’s kind of fed up with his new wife and her demon child, but the ex-wife is torn about the whole darn thing, and then she starts going steady with her architect who has no idea about what’s going on with the two, and things get…dare I say it…complicated.

HI-OH! 

Was up ’til four AM last night thinking of that one, folks. It’s all downhill from here.

Now, if I were about thirty years older, had a gaggle of kids under my belt, a horribly low sperm count and a beer belly the size of a powder keg, something tells me that I’d be grabbing for an oxygen tank from laughing so hard at this one. But being the spawnless, virile and skinny twenty-something that I am, it ain’t exactly hitting close to home in any way shape or form.

Then again, it is a Nancy Meyers movie, and since she’s also the gal behind Something’s Gotta Give, The Holiday and both Father of the Brides (which are both pretty good, actually), it’s to be expected. It’s lighthearted stuff that’s generally aimed toward all the baby boomers in the crowd, but it’s nevertheless pretty enjoyable thanks to the pretty kickass trio of Meryl, Alec and Steve.

No, it’s not the best thing she’s ever done, but since it’s Meryl and Meryl can do no wrong, she’s good as our unlikely slut (her words, not mine), Jane Adler. Whatever, Meryl’s just the bomb, there’s no getting around it, don’t really know what else to write here. Not a terribly memorable role, but she does manage to get her hands on some doobage at a certain point, and anyone who’s seen Adaptation knows that Meryl plays one awesome burnout.

And guess what, so does Steve Martin. Even though it’s the same kinda forgettable story for his role as Meryl’s architect friend, Adam, I’m a big fan of the guy to begin with and he sure has his moments once he starts toking up.

It’s also too bad that this is apparently Alec Baldwin’s last movie role. Granted, The Cooler was the last thing he did that came anywhere close to his career-defining ten-minute cameo in Glengarry Glen Ross, but this just feels like an odd note to end on even if he is pretty funny as Meryl’s ex, Jake. I don’t know, it seems like his career has been completely revived since he became Jack Donaghy and I don’t know why he’d choose this as his swan song. Strange days in Hollywood, gang, but I’m thinking he’ll come around.

But once the boring first half-hour wraps up and folks start sleeping around, It’s Complicated isn’t half bad. Has some pretty entertaining awkward scenarios, a solid cast even though they don’t have to do a whole lot and a decent enough script that gets better as it goes on and works more than it probably should have since it really had me clueless in regards to how it was all gonna end up.

Other than that, can’t think of a whole lot else to report back on. But, hey, it is what it is and it’s about time I banged out a short review. Enjoy it while it lasts.