It's Complicated - C+

On DVD and Blu-ray

A divorced couple of 10 years (played by Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep) is at their son's graduation in New York when they just happen to meet at the hotel bar and hit it off, going all the way. Trouble is, back in LA, he's married and she just started a romance with her architect (Steve Martin). All of the complications and ramifications (especially on their kids) are barely evaluated in this well-acted adult comedy that ultimately takes itself too seriously . . .

The film holds together pretty well for awhile largely due to the impressive performances of Baldwin and Streep. I actually prefer her better here than in her recent Oscar-nominated caricature performance in Julie & Julia. They feel like real people who've experienced a lot and their relationship is well-explored. Martin plays it much more subdued and honest than usual, thereby turning in a good (if castrated) performance. As their future son-in-law, John Krasinski has some very good moments keeping the knowledge of their affair to himself.But they're all undercut by writer-director Nancy Meyers (The Holiday, Something's Gotta Give) who delivers a lifeless, confusing, and humorless third act. The set-up is pretty good, but the ending makes enjoyable characters needy and pathetic (Baldwin) or shrill and selfish (Streep). Their children are woefully underwritten, making supposedly heartfelt scenes with them almost meaningless. And Streep's friends (including Rita Wilson and Mary Kay Place) - used well in 2 early scenes are completely forgotten by the end. OK for awhile, but you get the feeling Meyers didn't know where to go with it halfway through the writing process. C+