Director/Writer: Nancy Meyers
DVD and Blu-ray release date: May 10 2010
Studio: Universal Pictures UK
No of discs: 1
Region: 2
Price: From £12.99
Running Time: 116/120 mins
Certificate: 15
Starring: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, Lake Bell
Nancy Meyers (The Holiday, Something’s Got To Give) once again explores romantic complexities but this time between a divorced couple who find one drunken night and the excitement of an affair, rekindles their flame.
After her last child has moved out, Jane (Meryl Streep) feels empty and needs something to fill the void. After contemplating plastic surgery, she finally decides to build the kitchen and extension she has always dreamed of, featuring a one sink bathroom to avoid the depressing concept of “his n’ hers” sinks and what they symbolise.
All her friends seem to be dating and warn her about the on-line story of a woman who hadn’t “done it” in so long her vagina closed up and grew back together.
In New York for her son’s graduation ceremony she bumps into her ex-husband, Jake (Alec Baldwin), in the hotel the night before and after a few drinks they end up sleeping together, proving to her friends that she has still got it: “Turns out, I’m a bit of a slut.”
Much to Jane’s guilt and horror what began as a drunken accident turns into an affair and she becomes “an ex- with benefits”. After seeing her psychiatrist to ask for exoneration, she embraces the affair but when Jake stands her up she feels unsure of her role as mistress and agrees to date the designer of her new extension, Adam (Steve Martin) who has also gone through a painful divorce.
Much of the rest of the film is spent with Jake spying on Jane and desperately trying to win her exclusive attentions, claiming the things that once annoyed him, he now loves, like the fact that she has “gone native”.
The reality is he is rather a sad individual who has finally realised that he made a stupid mistake. Seen clutching fertility pamphlets in a lift and in a clinic surrounded by ageing men with much younger wives like Agnes (Lake Bell), Jake is clearly not ready to be a father again and craves for the much quieter existence Jane has.
It’s Complicated is farcical but sometimes tries too hard – the hugely exaggerated pot smoking party scene instantly comes to mind. Sure there are moments of genuine hilarity, like when Jane and Jake meet in a hotel for a quick half hour and are spotted by their soon to be son-in-law, Harley (John Krasinski), who is lunching with their daughter, discussing wedding arrangements. Krasinski is the star of the film as he tries desperately to cover up his knowledge of their affair and constantly finds Jane in compromising situations, such as smoking a joint in his guest bathroom.
When it comes down to it Jane and Jake agreeing “It’s complicated” doesn’t cut it, the plot and their situation isn’t but feelings are and unfortunately they are not very convincingly portrayed by either Streep or Baldwin whose chemistry lacks.
DVD BONUS FEATURES:
The Making of: It’s Complicated.
Feature Commentary with Producer/Writer/Director Nancy Meyers, Executive Producer Suzanne Farwell, Director of Photography John Toll, ASC and Editor Joe Hutshing, ACE.
BLU-RAY BONUS FEATURES:
The Making of: It’s Complicated.
Feature Commentary with Producer/Writer/Director Nancy Meyers, Executive Producer Suzanne Farwell, Director of Photography John Toll, ASC and Editor Joe Hutshing, ACE.
My Scenes.
BD Live: Access the BD-Live Centre through your Internet-connected player and download even more bonus content, the latest trailers and more.
Pocket BLU™: Experience Blu-ray in an exciting new way with the app for iPhone or iPod Touch! * Virtual Remote and Keyboard: Control Blu-ray features and communicate with ease.
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