'It's Complicated'

'It's Complicated' (R) ***

Written and Directed By Nancy Myers
Starring: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, Lake Bell, John Krasinski, Zoe Kazan, Rita Wilson, Mary Kay Place, Alexandra Wentworth

Meryl Streep and Nancy Myers have this thing down pat and have perfected it more successfully then most. That "it" is the romantic comedy geared towards an older crowd with Nancy Myers writing strong stories for adults. Also Meryl Streep is now perfecting a great second career proving that actresses over 40 can still have a great later career with great roles and money making hits. Nancy Myers has written "Something's Gotta Give" with the radiant Diane Keaton (also proving she still has got it) and Jack Nicholson and it was fresh, funny and romantic. "It's Complicated" has the same charm and three great roles for three great actors. Meryl Streep is on a role lately with smart choices in one blockbuster after another. "The Devil Wears Prada", "Mama Mia" and "Julie and Julia", all hits and all films I liked. It is a given that there is always Oscar talk with Streep but in "It's Complicated" she does give a great comic performance with great timing and facial expressions. I like her work here more than Julia because it is more in the moment. Alec Baldwin is carving out a good comedy career what with "30 Rock" and this role. He works off Streep very well and his comic timing is sharp. Steve Martin has always been likable on screen and he is charming here and subtly funny. Some critics think he was miscast as a too nice guy here but he is perfect to me. I think it is an insult to typecast him as the wild, crazy guy when he has done this kind of role before.

The movie's plot could have easily been sitcom time but with the three leads making it deeper it doesn't fall into that trap. The characters are real and going through real life situations. The plot revolves around the Streep and Baldwin characters being divorced for ten years. Baldwin is married again to a younger woman (Lake Bell) with a terror of a five year old kid and the scenes with Baldwin and the child are very funny. Well Baldwin feels that he is falling back in love with Streep just as she has become interested in her architect played by Steve Martin. The movie has very funny dialogue and a few scenes that made me laugh out loud. One concerns a party where some kind of drugs are involved and Streep and Martin play this scene brilliantly. There is also a very funny few scenes as the kids realize something strange is going on and it involves hotel rooms. I also must mention that John Krasinski form the television show "The Office" has some great double takes and has some priceless moments. He is very good here (as equal as Streep, Baldwin and Martin) and just might have a good movie career ahead of him and I mean leading roles. Nancy Myers has written a smart, charming crowd pleaser and I guarantee a good time had by all. If you want to see an adult comedy with some of the best acting around then see this and have a good time. Again I am amazed at what Streep can do and she always surprises me every time.