Movies: Not ‘Complicated’ Necessarily, but Flawed

By all means, go see “It’s Complicated.” If only to encourage Hollywood to make the occasional film about people older than 25, and of course to see actors of the caliber of Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. Or go to realize, as if “The Office” had not already proved it beyond a reasonable doubt, that John Krasinski is a cutie.
But do not go expecting a movie that makes sense.
I saw it more than 24 hours ago, and I am still confused as to who was really in love and which relationship the Streep character should have pursued. Only this morning I realized the extent to which this must be a divorced woman’s revenge fantasy. I had heard as much going in, but it’s really the only way to begin to understand what passes for a narrative arc in this mess of a film.
Again, though, I think it is worth seeing. It’s fascinating as real estate porn, given that Streep’s character—um, did she have a name? She must have, but I have forgotten—finds it necessary to add on to her obviously already-huge home. She’s doing so at exactly the time that she needs less space, as the kids are gone and so is Baldwin, her ex. But in this consumer’s paradise the protagonist would never look around her gigantic living quarters and realize she already has enough—of anything. This is one weird flick, especially for those of us who share studio apartments.
One other awful thing: the scenes between Streep and her pals, played by Alexandra Wentworth and Rita Wilson and Mary Kay Place. Only Place gets the tone right. These scenes are painful to watch, the forced gaiety of fake friendship…the kind that only appears in sitcoms. Or am I wrong? Do women really talk like this when they are alone together? I have no way of knowing for sure. Thank God. But I will admit that I wonder.
What did I like? Baldwin. I almost always like Baldwin. And Street was compelling, as always. And Martin is sweet. And did I mention that Krasinski is cute? The audience I saw the movie with was crazy about him. Every crinkle of the eyes had people howling. It was as if people feel intimately connected to him after his “Office” years, the many hours he has spent in our living rooms. In this sitcom of a movie, audience members may feel most comfortable with an actual sitcom star.