It's Complicated

Pam: Two fine actors make this movie fun to watch. I love Alec Baldwin's comic sharpness and lovability and of course, Meryl Streep is perfection as a capable yet vulnerable divorcee. Many perspectives are presented and it's easy to understand the situation from all sides. For example, you understand the feeling of being carefree and taking a risk from Jane's (Streep) point of view. She's had to be the strong single parent for so long while building her own business, that it feels like time to cut loose for her. She giggles as she tells her best friends about sleeping with her ex-husband and you can enjoy her naughtiness. But then, other factors begin to play into this unfaithful scenario. You hear about her grown children's pain as they experienced their parents' divorce years ago. Not much time is spent on this, but it is geniune emotion. You see Jake's (Baldwin) wife and stepson and how his infidelity affects them. You see the affair begin to take on a domesticity that has long-term implications that Jane is not ready or willing to have in her life again, just as she has gained her independence both emotionally and financially. The fun, silly romp turns serious and the couple begins to see how their actions affect others. A funny turn from Steve Martin, who has the job of the thankless possible (appropriate) boyfriend for Jane. John Krasinski plays Jane's future son-in-law who ends up knowing more than he wants to know about some of Jane and Jake's indescretions, which makes for some comical moments. 3.5 stars out of 5