For anyone who didn’t get why I’m dumping George Clooney for Alec Baldwin.…if you see the movie you will get what I SEE in Alec….ALL of it.
Maybe the box office won’t challenge Avatar, already the fourth biggest hit of ALL TIME. But hopefully this movie will convince Alec not to abandon acting; and will convince Hollywood to make more movies for mature audiences.
I’m doing my part; I saw it the day it opened and can’t wait to see it again. So many things about this film really got to me.
NO SPOILER ALERT: if you haven’t seen it, I won’t tell. And all you really need to know is in the title, which is absolutely perfect.
It’s Complicated.
What more is there to say about relationships?
You’d think people at our age would have it down by now. Only we don’t.
As a sad commentary to the truth of that, this holiday season brought not only this movie, but also the announcement of the split between Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins—who seemed one of the exceptional, enduring love stories of our age—and the age.
I know nothing about this, but somehow it makes me really sad. And deep down it makes me wonder if today’s humans aren’t geared to mate for a lifetime, but better suited for serial monogamy.
Maybe we were just buying into another Hollywood fiction; but I thought they were the poster couple for unwedded bliss, and had really figured it out.
Then again, I also thought by now I would have figured it out. I’m a veteran of a 15-year marriage, a divorce, now in a 15- years-plus marriage to V, and…… it’s still complicated.
Eleonora says
Ciao Darryle,
I can’t wait to see “It’s Complicated,” but how terribly sad about the Sarandon/Robbins split-up! I too saw them as an unwavering marital given.
Serial monogamy, that’s the perfect definition of relationships today.
Just dropped in to say hi and underline again how much I love this blog, and your wonderful inspiring, witty and talented writing.
Ciao,
Eleonora (I have just worked with the guy you dumped, and all I can say is: you might want to reconsider…)
Deborah Shane says
DP, I saw it over the holiday’s as well and thought it was fun, compelling, wonderful cast with Meryl, Alec and Steve. It clearly spoke of so many issues of relationships and “mature relationships”. I think forever and long term are very difficult in the current world we live in. Not as simple and people are not as willing to stick it out if it’s not working. I also know a lot of couples who stay married, who are not romantic anymore and lead separate lives and co-habitate. Whatever works is what is right, right? It’s Complicated…Hey what’s wrong with “serial autonomy”, having a ton of awesome friends, hobbies and family without all the romantic issues? Men and women are opting more and more for this lifestyle choice. Everything is a trade off!
Darryle Pollack says
Deborah–completely agree with you. I didn’t mean to suggest serial monogamy is for everyone, just that when it comes to relationships, it’s rare to find people who truly mate for life.
Serial autonomy or any other choice is great—the challenge is figuring out what works for each of us. And no matter what choice you make, I still think in the end, it’s complicated!
Eleonora, SO glad to hear from you and so appreciate that my words make sense even in Italy. And working with George Clooney–well, every woman in America is now officially jealous of you—including me! I’ll always have a spot in my heart for him. And for you—now that I’ve checked out your beautiful blog.
(FYI to those less blog-savvy: to read Eleonora–or Deborah–or any commenter’s blog—click on their names.)
Richard says
Oops. Clicked on Eleanora’s site and now I’m homesick all over again. Other than that pleasant looking fellow living over there on Lago di Como, Italy is also home to more than a few attractive women, I’ve noticed. It’s Complicated.
julia freifeld says
sitting in the audience of “its complicated” reminded me of sitting in the aud. for “vagina monologues’ –95% of the crowd were women! hat’s off to the handful of men there. the crowd at the movie laughed, applauded, even cheered at one point! and many were returning a second time ( before the movie started there was a big chat fest. going on!)
so, what was it that struck such a deep cord? relationships, relationships, relationships! not only with with spouses -current & ex’es. the movie examined the importance & love between girlfriends and adult children. all so very essential to life! there is a delicate balance with with all these relationships – and if you can get it right…well, it’s like winning the lottery!
Darryle Pollack says
Julia, think you’re right about what struck so deep —-not just the romantic relationships but all relationships between people, which are the heart of life. And probably so complicated because people are so complicated. (at least, women are. LOL)
I’ve talked to men who really appreciated the film although I doubt they’ll be repeat customers, like women will—which brings up the important stuff –do women finally and FULLY appreciate Alec Baldwin?
Jack says
I saw a screening of this and was happy that I didn’t pay for it. The storyline was fine.
I thought that Alec Baldwin was horrible in this, just awful. His acting made me cringe.
I am a big Steve Martin fan, but the character just didn’t fit him. Meryl Streep was excellent, but she rarely misses.
Darryle Pollack says
Sorry Jack, I think millions of women who are embracing this movie will disagree.
Actually I agree about Steve Martin and of course Meryl Streep. But to me, Alec was the best part of the whole movie.
So maybe it really is a chick flick, after all.
Marla Wentner says
I thought Alec Baldwin was terrific in this movie, not just for having the courage to show that much of an imperfect body (by today’s standards anyway), but for the lines he got to speak, and how he made them real. One of the best (and saddest) times in the film was when he said that he and his ex-wife had become the people they were meant to be, and maybe they could make it work this time. So true. And I was rooting for that to happen, especially since I thought the Steve Martin character was so wrong in every way. And even though I found it very humorous at times, my feeling at the end was one of sadness, not the least of which was the feeling that if Meryl Streep’s character hadn’t had the architect come along and show interest, she probably would have made it work with her ex-husband. She didn’t want to be alone, and that’s the bottom line. It is a movie worth seeing again and again, especially for anyone trying to figure out how to make a relationship work (and isn’t that all of us?).
Darryle Pollack says
Don’t want to spoil the ending here but I didn’t like it either. Thought Alec made the whole movie–not just being brave to show his body but also vulnerability and emotions. Some of the same qualities he’s showing in real life—such as saying he should have tried harder to make his marriage work with Kim Basinger. Life imitates art? Kind of similar to Clooney who chose to make UP in the Air about a guy so unattached.
Barbara Lerner says
Also enjoyed the movie & agree that Alec was the best part. His comic talent has been improving tremendously over the last few years. Many thanks to Tina Fey for ‘rediscovering’ him.
My biggest problem with the movie was the kids: not believable. Their parents have been divorced for over 10 years & even the older ones haven’t gotten over it? Sorry, my folks divorced when I was 13 (so, divorce + puberty!) & it didn’t take me that long.
Also really don’t get why she needed a bigger house!! That one was pretty darn fabulous, if you ask me.
Julliana says
I have to disagree with Barbara Lerner. I thought there were several scenes in the movie that rang so true. One was the scene where the adult kids are still hurt by their parents’ divorce. Yes, you move on, you get over it, but it often still hurts. Hopefully, we give our own kids a better example – marriages are never perfect and we have to keep working at it, but it’s worth it in the end.
Other memorable “truths” from this movie – when Meryl’s character admits that her husband’s infidelity was not the reason for their split – just a symptom and excuse. And lastly, that “fun is not overrated.” Go have some fun with the ones you love!
Darryle Pollack says
I’m glad you reminded me about the adult kids feelings about their parents’ divorce—I thought it’s a subject rarely discussed and meant to write a post about it. Though some kids move on as Barbara did, I think divorce can still hurt–or certainly affect the kids in years to come.