It's Complicated, but it's also funny!

After all the hype over this movie generated by the Golden Globes, I was curious to see if It's Complicated could live up to expectations.  In solidifying my admiration for its cast, it did...in solidifying my distaste for rehashed romantic comedies, it did.  In a story as old as 1999, a 55+ divorcee reunites with her 60+ year old ex-husband and starts a passionate love affair behind the backs of their families and children.  Let the hilarity ensue.  Yes, this movie was written and directed by the same Nancy Meyers that did Something's Gotta Give, so if you see any parallels, it's called laziness.

If nothing else, the movie is a testament to how mediocre writing can really come to life when you've got great actors to help you out.  As our female lead, Streep is endearing, easily lovable and has a knack for romantic comedy that I didn't expect.  As our male lead, Baldwin is...well he's Alec Baldwin.  Sure he's a bit of an ass, but he wears it well and you end up shaking your finger saying "Oh you Alec..."  Thanks to 30 Rock, that's become oddly endearing.  Do you think Tina Fey is Jesus and resurrected this 21st century Lazarus?  And all along I thought Oprah was God.

The only real problem was that I saw more of the two than I ever cared to - I really didn't need to see that much skin, or hair...ahem.  Who knew Streep has man feet and underneath Baldwin's 30 Rock suits he's wearing a woolly suit of his own.  Let's try and keep some more mystery between us in the future, shall we?

A post op, all Botoxed up Steve Martin and John Krazinski round out the acting team as Meryl's triangle love interest and future son-in-law, respectively.  Martin would've been better if he could still move his face and Krazinski impressively holds his own against the veterans.  Oh Jim, how you've really grown up from Scranton into a big screen actor.  Now just leave Pam and you're on your way.

While all four lead actors play their parts well, I couldn't help but feel their comedic talents seemed restrained.  There were several parts where I wanted them to really go for it, even if it would've been a little over the top.  They were like those poor children you see in grocery stores who're strapped into leashed harnesses, trying to run off but their mothers keep whipping them back. Sure, I plan on using them on kids of my own one day, but they have no place in movies.

That said, there are some knee slapping, laugh out loud moments in the movie and it kept a smile on my face nearly the entire time.  Writer/director Meyers does deserve some credit for writing some really hilarious scenes, I just wish someone had taken the script away from her to save her from herself at times.

There are some big lulls that should've been edited out entirely as they don't add to the movie at all, and in the end the movie's about a half hour too long.  And of course, they're all rich white people stepping out of Martha Stewart and J. Crew catalogs. As a result, the characters are incredibly hard to relate to at times.

While this movie will definitely resonate better with an older audience, a younger one can still enjoy it too.  Despite its pitfalls, it's just an entertaining movie with a great cast that makes it worth watching from first drunken sex romp to last joint smoking charade.  It's Complicated isn't really that complicated after all, it's just fun. But instead of having sex with your hairball of an ex husband, why don't you just DO A MATINEE instead!