It’s Complicated Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Divorced couple accidentally rekindles their romance while a sensitive architect builds a new kitchen, leading to way too many baked goods and one very awkward webcam situation.

🍿 It’s Complicated: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Reunion and Rekindled Romance

Jane Adler, a successful bakery owner, and her ex-husband Jake Adler, a lawyer, find themselves together at their son’s college graduation. Despite being divorced for ten years, a spark reignites between them after a night of drinking and dancing. They end up sleeping together, much to Jane’s initial regret the following morning.

The Affair Begins

The accidental encounter leads to an affair, complicated by the fact that Jake is now married to a much younger woman, Agness. Jane grapples with her guilt while also enjoying the renewed intimacy with Jake. She confides in her close friends, who are surprisingly supportive of the situation, fueling Jane’s conflicting emotions.

A New Suitor

Adding to the complexity, Jane begins working with Adam, an architect designing an addition to her house. Adam, who is also divorced, develops feelings for Jane. The situation creates a love triangle as Jane finds herself torn between her rekindled passion with Jake and the potential for a new, stable relationship with Adam.

Secrets and Revelations

The affair becomes increasingly difficult to manage as Jake’s attempts to juggle both relationships lead to comical and awkward situations. Harley, the fiancé of Jane and Jake’s daughter, becomes privy to their secret. One night after Jake and Jane smoke marijuana they had stashed away, the secret is revealed to everyone and Agness is upset as is the kids who find out later that night.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jane Adler (Meryl Streep): A successful bakery owner who finds herself in a complicated love triangle with her ex-husband and a new architect.
• Jake Adler (Alec Baldwin): Jane’s immature and philandering ex-husband who tries to rekindle their relationship while still married.
• Adam Schaffer (Steve Martin): A sensitive architect who falls for Jane and offers her a chance at a healthy relationship.
• Harley (John Krasinski): Jane’s future son-in-law who inadvertently becomes entangled in her complicated love life.
• Agness Adler (Lake Bell): Jake’s younger wife who represents the complications and potential heartbreak caused by his infidelity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jane: “Do you poke smot?” – Jane asks Adam if he smokes marijuana, which leads to a comical, spontaneous moment at their son’s party.
• Jake: “Oh Em Gee, I thought he’d never leave.” – Jake says this when Adam finally leaves Jane’s house after dinner, revealing Jake has been spying on them.
• Jane: “Karma is a b-tch” – Jane says this to her friends after sleeping with Jake. She also acknowledges that he cheated on her with Agness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $85,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $112,735,375
• Worldwide Gross: $219,103,655

💥 It’s Complicated Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I have to admit, I went into this movie expecting a fluffy rom-com, and I got that, but also so much more! Meryl Streep is fantastic as Jane, and I found myself completely invested in her love life. The scene where they all get high at the party was hilarious, and I loved how the movie explored the idea of finding love again later in life. Definitely a feel-good movie that I’ll be watching again!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about relationships and divorce”
  • “Those who appreciate films with strong ensemble casts”
  • “Fans of Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Drug use (marijuana)”
  • “Some coarse language”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Meryl Streep shines in this mature romantic comedy, showcasing her ability to blend humor and vulnerability. While the plot can be predictable, the performances elevate the material, making it a delightful watch for fans of the genre.
• Rolling Stone: “Nancy Meyers delivers another crowd-pleaser with ‘It’s Complicated.’ Alec Baldwin is hilarious as the immature ex-husband, and Steve Martin brings a gentle charm to his role. The film explores the complexities of relationships with wit and warmth.
• RogerEbert.com: “While ‘It’s Complicated’ offers some genuinely funny moments, it occasionally feels overly contrived. The cast is excellent, but the film relies too heavily on predictable romantic comedy tropes. Overall, an enjoyable yet forgettable experience.

Audience Reactions

Meryl Streep’s performance is stellar; she truly embodies the character of Jane.: The chemistry between the leads is amazing; the actors make the relationship feel very real

The film’s humor is smart and witty, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.: The movie is relatable; it resonates with those who have experienced similar situations.

Overall Consensus: A light-hearted and enjoyable romantic comedy with strong performances from the leads, though somewhat predictable.

Awards

1. National Board of Review (Best Ensemble Cast)- 2009

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Meryl Streep specifically requested that the graduation scene be filmed at her alma mater, Vassar College. Despite her position on the Board of Trustees and having two children attending the college, her request was denied.”
• “Director Nancy Meyers creates authentic characters that viewers could identify with and she is a first-class writing genius.”
• “This mature romantic comedy tells the story of Jane (Streep), who’s ten year post-divorce from Jake (Baldwin), who left her for a much younger woman, hasn’t necessarily become water under the bridge.”

🖥️ How to Watch It’s Complicated?

It’s Complicated is available for streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. You can rent or purchase the movie on these services. Check your local listings for broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed It’s Complicated, you might like these similar films:

• Something’s Gotta Give (2003): Shares a similar theme of older adults finding love, directed by Nancy Meyers and features a love triangle with comedic elements.
• The First Wives Club (1996): Explores themes of divorce and women finding empowerment in their later years, with a strong comedic focus.
• Hope Springs (2012): Focuses on a long-married couple trying to rekindle their relationship, offering a mature perspective on love and commitment.
• Divorce (TV series, 2016-2019): This series offers a more raw and realistic look at the complexities and challenges of divorce, with a comedic undertone.

🛒 It’s Complicated Related Products

• It’s Complicated [Blu-ray]: Relive the laughter and romance with the high-definition Blu-ray edition. Includes bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Meryl Streep: Anatomy of an Actor: Explore the iconic career of Meryl Streep with this insightful biography. Delve into her acting techniques and memorable roles, including her performance in ‘It’s Complicated.’
• The Nancy Meyers Collection [DVD]: Own this collection of the most celebrated romantic comedies by director Nancy Meyers. Includes all of her well-known movies like ‘Something’s Gotta Give’, ‘The Holiday’ and ‘It’s Complicated’
• Baking with Meryl: Inspired Recipes from It’s Complicated: Enjoy this recipe book, inspired by the bakery shop Jane(Meryl Streep) owns in the movie. A true collection of all the recipes and baking tips that make for the most delicious bakery desserts and dishes.

🎧 Soundtrack

It’s Complicated features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” – performed by Crosby, Stills & Nash
• “Someone to Watch Over Me” – performed by Gerry Mulligan Quartet

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

It’s Complicated – Brooklyn 99

Check out this hilarious Brooklyn 99 clip featuring a nod to “It’s Complicated”. Get ready for some side-splitting laughs!

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