When social network giant Facebook came into the picture, the options of customising contents are unlimited. You fill out your name, date of birth, current city and then... drum roll please... yep, that's right - relationship status. And surprise surprise, one of those choices have become a byword to any unclear and undefined relations with someone. Uh huh, even when you are still filling out that particular portion yet the pressure is unmistakable on which status to use. Thanks Mark Zuckerberg!
But then while browsing online, I chanced upon this movie called It's Complicated. And immediately I had this insane flashback during the time I was establishing my Facebook account. It's no surprise anymore how these things online creeps its way into mainstream life. So anyway, I got curious and decided to watch what the 'complication' was all about.
The opening credits started to roll. I got my popcorn and ice-cold Mountain Dew ready, lights turned off, headsets tucked in my ears and only had eyes on my laptop screen. Now there - powerhouse names by the likes of Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin and not to mention the lady behind the lens - Nancy Meyers is front and center.
Although, Meyers' films are typically targeted to the middle-aged demographic but you can't deny the fact how she manages to charm you in to her own brand of romantic comedy. There's always this ingredient of warm sophistication, classy glamour and adorable sense of humor that packs a punch. I sat there glued for the entire movie trying to capture the movie as if making a connection with the characters.
Streep's character Jane Adler is a divorcee and multi-tasking between looking after her bakery business, her grown up children and overseeing her latest project renovating her house. One occassion at work gave her the chance to get introduced and eventually work with Martin's Adam Schaffer, an architect who's also coping a divorce of his own. This meet-cute didn't result to a date right away, as our main protagonist had an unexpected intimate moment with her ex-husband Jake (played by Alec Baldwin) during a trip to New York. The direct result of this event led to unusual meetings from late-night booty calls to afternoon hotel trysts between both without the knowledge of their children except for soon-to-be son-in-law Harley (played by the adorable John Krasinski). The two start having "healthy" and "breakthrough" conversations they didn't encounter during the time of their marriage. Jake becomes more inclined in spending time with her instead of his current wife, Agness, who is a few years his junior. But Jane, as much as she tries to rationalize this arrangement, wants to avoid further complications especially when dealing with her children.
After declining Adam's offer to go out on a date, Jane and Jake decided to have dinner instead both coming up with their own alibis to get off previous commitments. Unfortunately, what was supposedly a candlelit dinner turned into a humiliating night of waiting on Jane's side as he flaked on their dinner date. This prompted Jane to invite Adam to her son's graduation party and ended up having a smoking great time after sharing a hit of weed together. With Jake bringing Agness along for the occassion, it was already apparent that he still harbors feelings toward Jane. This caused both parties to rock each other's boat and Agness throwing Jake out of the house. Soon enough, the secret of their affair came out with the children having a difficult time trying to reconcile how things ended up as it were. Eventually, Jane decided that getting back together with Jake will not be a possibility but she still managed to stay friends with Adam.
So as the movie ended, it left me feeling satisfied with the story since I'm such a sucker for romantic comedies. Although, it wasn't really a "happy ending" on the romantic relationship level, but at least it was "happy" in a "complicated" manner. Not only did I enjoy the movie, their witty characters and appealing cast, but I also loved the contemporary setting and its portrayal of modern relationships with the discipline it requires out of that busy schedule in life called work. I guess the movie summed it all up in two hard-hitting words, there's no better way to say it other than "It's complicated!"
** This story is taken from my old blog - popcorn sessions. **
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Photos via Baltimore Sun, Tribute, Ace Showbiz
