It’s Complicated, that’s for sure. My parents started divorcing when I turned 13. Barely a high school Freshman my world collapsed. Today it seemed like a distant memory. Tonight I relived it if only vicariously through tremendously cogent acting. There seems to be a film about every topic which is one of the reasons I enjoy watching so much. If there is a desideratum for a topical piece, some genius crafts one to my delight. It’s Complicated left me spellbound when in fact I reluctantly agreed to watch it and did so with bad expectations.
Before moving forward I want to offer my sincerest compliments to both Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. Normally, watching a film about two mid fifties stars pretending to be young nauseates me. It is not an age bias, but there are only so many times I can stomach suspending my disbelief when watching Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts or Demi Moore pretend to be 20. Meryl Streep on the other hand is older than all three and possesses more vitality than the trio combined. I thought Alec Baldwin early in his career was destined to be as great as Michael Douglas or Sean Connery. Somewhere along the treacherous Hollywood path he fell by the wayside into a less macho, less virile sitcom floozy. It’s Complicated brought out the best in him as this may be his best film in over ten years. If he retires soon as has been speculated we can all be assured he went out with class and style.
The plot has more twists and turns than driving up a steep mountain without good brakes. Steep and Baldwin are divorced with three kids, one of whom is almost married to the best of the younger actors, John Krazinski. Confronted with a failing marriage to a young woman with whom he cheated on his ex-wife Streep, Baldwin suddenly falls madly in love with his ex all over again. While being courted by her architect, one of my favorites, Steve Martin, she is faced with new emotions. While finally feeling free after ten years of divorce Streep experiments by having an affair with her ex-husband. The irony is he married the woman he cheated on her with and now she is having an torrid affair as a sort of revenge. While Baldwin succumbs to sentimentality and the comfort of familiarity, Streep is only beginning to feel free. This is a means to an end and the end is breaking free of thirty plus years of struggling to accept the reality of a failed marriage. All the while she is falling in love with Martin’s character.
Krazinski’s reaction to being the first to find out about his future in-laws’ affair speaks volumes about the meaning of the whole situation. He is awestruck and amused, but most of all worried about the impact their actions will have on the whole family. Baldwin’s life seemed so erratic and full of teen angst until he fell back into the arms of his lover. Streep meanwhile as aforementioned needed to find out what happened with her life and why the relationship failed. Having that sort of closure brought her a new attitude and lease on life. Regrettably, Baldwin admits to the children what has happened. Rather than jump for joy they are puzzled, confused and in serious doubt as to how their parents who once would not stand in the same room came together as best friends and lovers. The ending is tragic for Baldwin and sweet for Streep.
Since none of my family members read my articles I will admit that recently after more than 12 years my parents talked about getting together alone for a weekend. It never materialized, but if it had, could I imagine the consequences? Nostalgia or not, sentimentality be damned. It would have been so bittersweet and agonizing.
It’s Complicated is a rich and meaningful picture. It was released at a time when nothing else would compare to its depth. It is possible it will remain the most heartfelt and real film of the year. Watch it with your partner and then have a conversation afterward. Seriously, let it all out, what harm can you cause? If there is any lesson to be learned from my parents’ divorce and from the separation portrayed on-screen it is that people are better off accepting a failed relationship sooner than later. Why let the years fall off the proverbial calendar when time is so precious and so short. Two arms up, forget about the thumbs.
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