It’s Complicated: Love, Laughter, and the Joy of Starting Over
It’s Complicated, directed by Nancy Meyers and released in 2009, is a romantic comedy that proves love does not get easier with age—it just gets more interesting. With sharp humor, elegant style, and genuine emotion, the film explores life after divorce and the messy, beautiful truth about relationships that never fully end.
The story centers on Jane Adler, a successful bakery owner and mother of three, played with warmth and wit by Meryl Streep. Ten years after her divorce from Jake, a charming yet self-absorbed attorney played by Alec Baldwin, Jane finds herself unexpectedly drawn back into a relationship with him—despite the fact that he is now remarried to a much younger woman.
Their rekindled affair is both hilarious and surprisingly touching, filled with moments that highlight the complexities of past love. Jane is not the same woman she was when they were married. She is more confident, more independent, and unsure whether returning to Jake is a romantic rebirth or just a nostalgic mistake.
Caught in the middle is Adam, a kind and grounded architect played by Steve Martin. Recently divorced himself, Adam begins to fall for Jane, offering her the possibility of something new, something calm. But Jane’s life, as the title promises, is anything but simple.
The film shines in its portrayal of grown-up romance. Nancy Meyers crafts a world that is stylish and comforting, from sunlit kitchens to garden parties, yet never loses sight of the emotional vulnerability at its core. The dialogue is quick and funny, but underneath the laughs are questions many people face—Can people really change? Is it ever too late to start over? And what does happiness look like the second time around?
Meryl Streep’s performance brings warmth and honesty to Jane, making her confusion feel real and her laughter contagious. Alec Baldwin is both exasperating and oddly endearing, while Steve Martin offers quiet charm and emotional depth.
It’s Complicated is more than a romantic comedy. It is a story about second chances, self discovery, and the courage it takes to open your heart again. With grace and humor, it reminds us that love is rarely tidy—but it is always worth the mess.
