It's Complicated (R, 2009)

common sense media says

Parents will dig this over-50 romcom, but kids won't.


parents & educators say
  • 88% say sexual content is an issue
  • 63% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that his mature romantic comedy starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin is age-appropriate for older teens and up, though adults are most likely to appreciate it. Although the sexuality isn't graphic, the movie's main themes concern infidellity, sex for the over-50 set, and dealing with grown-up children -- none of which is meant for younger kids. There's some swearing ("s--t" is the strongest of it), a good bit of social drinking (the main characters have their first adulterous night together after getting completely sloshed), and a couple of humorous scenes in which a marijuana joint is shared by three adult characters. Teens could get the message from the movie that being intoxicated lowers inhibitions (which is true) and since no negative consequences are shown, parents should talk to their kids about it. And, as in every other Nancy Meyers movie, everyone lives a completely pampered, wealthy lifestyle, this time in Santa Barbara. We should all be so lucky.

Positive messages: Although there are positive messages about families of divorce (Jane and Jake's three kids are very close to them) and the empowerment of single women in their 50s, there's also the sense that adultery between exes isn't all that serious, since they were once married. That's a pretty iffy message, even though it's handled comically.
Positive role models: Jane is inspiring as a successful business owner who was able to start a new life after divorce. She's also a very caring and loving mother. Jake cares about his children, but he acts quite selfishly throughout the movie. The fact that the ex-spouses hook up isn't exactly top-notch role model behavior, but it's all played for romance and humor.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Drunken (and subsequently sober) adultery between exes is the movie's central plot point. There's no nudity, but you do see one character in her bra and panties, Meryl Streep in a chemise, and a lot of Alec Baldwin's skin (a strategically placed laptop blocks any X-rated parts). One sight gag alludes to the fact that Baldwin's penis is directly within view of a webcam that Steve Martin is watching from his own computer. There's also a lot of discussion about sex, extramarital affairs, older women's sex drives (and anatomy), and fertility issues.
Language: Fairly mild for an R-rated movie. Words like "s--t," "holy s--t," "prick," "ass," "bitch," and "oh my God" are said on occasion but not frequently.
Consumerism: Several brands are featured, including Toyota Prius, Porsche, Jeep, Match.com, and Mac.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Lots of social drinking by adults (mostly wine and cocktails) at dinners and parties. Jane and Jake get completely sloshed before their first hook up; later, Jane smokes a marijuana joint with Adam. None of these scenes have any negative consequences, and indeed, the scenes show how inhibitions are lowered as a result of being intoxicated.

More on It's Complicated

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the movie's message about how divorce affects children, even grown-up ones. What's the impact of Jane and Jake's affair?
  • The movie was rated R because of the pot-smoking scene. What conversation do you need to have with your teens about the effects of drinking and drugs on inhibitions?
  • This is one of the few movies that explores romance between adults in their 50s. How is Jane and Jake's "mature" romance different than romantic comedies starring younger actors?

What's the story?

What's the story?
For a divorcee in her late 50s, Jane Adler (Meryl Streep) lives a rather enviable life -- she owns a gourmet bakery and lives in an amazing house in Santa Barbara. Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Jake (Alec Baldwin), is a rich lawyer married to a much younger wife (Lake Bell) who wants a baby. When Jane and Jake meet up for their son's college graduation in New York, they have an alcohol-fueled one-night-stand. Jake then decides he wants to continue his affair with Jane, who finds herself in the improbable position of being "the other woman" to the woman who was once her husband's mistress. As Jane and Jake's affair continues, Jane slowly becomes attracted to her attentive, earnest architect Adam (Steve Martin), who's overseeing her home's extensive renovations. What's an attractive 50-something woman to do -- give her ex a second shot at commitment, or plunge into a new relationship with a sweet new beau?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Director Nancy Meyers is a seasoned pro at depicting a luxurious, upper-class world in which everyone has a kitchen larger than most studio apartments and a home that looks straight out of a magazine. Who better to inhabit this world than the world's greatest living actress and two gifted comic actors? It seems like the formula for success, and, for the most part, it works. Streep is adorable (as are her best friends, played by Rita Wilson, Mary Kay Place, and Alexandra Wentworth) as a woman so sex deprived that she briefly considers whether her friend is right about a woman's "parts" closing up from disuse. Baldwin is almost too perfectly cast as the cocky ex who'd rather bury himself in the arms of his lovely former bride than go home to his shrewish-but-buxom younger wife. And Martin is much mellower than you'd expect, except in a hilarious scene in which Adam and Jane are high on marijuana.

Unfortunately, Meyers doesn't really have much to say in IT'S COMPLICATED. There's nothing all that memorable, despite the stellar cast. Some of the best parts of the movie, in fact, are the Adlers' three grown kids (played by Zoe Kazan, Hunter Parrish, and Caitlin Fitzgerald), all of whom are genuinely believable as siblings who would curl up in bed together after finding out that their parents had slept together but weren't yet back together. John Krasinski is also a scene-stealer as the soon-to-be son-in-law who first discovers  Jake and Jane's dirty little secret. For a frothy romantic comedy starring actors over 60 (Baldwin is the youngest at 51), It's Complicated is like the chocolate croissants that feature prominently in the movie -- warm and sweet, but ultimately not that filling.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Nancy Meyers
Cast: Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 119 minutes
Theatrical release: December 25, 2009
DVD release: April 26, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: some drug content and sexuality
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

16
Based on 8 parent & educator reviews:
  • 88% say sexual content is an issue
  • 63% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 50% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

lorofl
teen, 16 years old
 
Good movie for people over 14
I really liked this movie, for R rated there hardly was any swearing, and it didn't show hardly any nudity or most anything of what other movies do.

AlinaW.
teen, 16 years old
 
It's not rated R people!
First of all, this movie wasn't rated R. When we went to pick it up at the video store, the guy said it was 14A, and sure enough, when I checked the back of the box, it was. My mom, 11 year old sister and I got it because we thought it would be a funny rom-com type movie, which it didn't turn out to be, but it covered some important issues, especially divorce and infiedelity. There are some drugs, including characters smoking a joint, but nothing you don't see at my high school. My mom covered my sister's eyes at some points, but it was nothing I hadn't seen, nor heard. The ending was dissapointing and sad though . . .

lisaa
parent of and 6 , 8 , 10 year old
 
Since when is a rated "R" movie appropriate for anyone under 18?

giagirl
adult
 
PERFECT FOR THE MIDLIFE CROWD!
THIS WAS THE FUNNIEST MOVIE I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME! THE ENTIRE THEATRE ROARED WITH LAUGHTER THE ENTIRE TIME. A MUST SEE.

skulduggery3
kid, 13 years old
 
This is a great family movie everyone can watch with there kids. Don't let the commercial fool you because none of that actually happens this movie and it's really about the importance of sharing and kindness. You and your whole family should check out this movie.

 
15 and up.
it's complicated is a boring movie only for older teens and parents you need to know that this movie has a lot of sex talk and almost partial nudity shown and there's some mild language used also there's a lot of drinking, smoking and drugs used for example characters drink wine and cocktails at dinners and parties, also Jane smokes a marijuana joint with Adam.

 
Too intimidating for kids...
I really enjoyed watching this movie and laughing at the subtle humor. Because of the sexual parts of the movie, this is definitely a keep-your-eyes-CLOSED movie for any younger than 13, at least. If your children have the had the talk, it should be halfway-okay depending on maturity. But, if you want to watch it with the kids, see it without them beforehand and decide for yourself...

BlueRocks360
kid, 13 years old
 
Kinda Corny....
This movie was kinda cheesy to me.... And boring.....

HappilyEverAfter
teen, 18 years old
 
One of the best comedies I've seen in a while!
It's Complicated was, franky, hilarious! There are so many quotable lines and priceless moments. The cast was excellent as well. It's a great one for adults and upper teens, not because of too much inappropriate material, but because younger kids wouldn't really understand some of the humor and references in the film. Meryl Streep, as always, was fantastic (SPOILER: wait until you see her stoned!!!), and Alec Baldwin was just too much like a lovesick little puppy to find him repulsive. Definitely a must-see!

 
Great Movie!
It's Complicated is absolutely hilarious! The acting is phenomenal, and the messages are heartwarming too! Seeing Jane's transformation throughout the movie is wonderful, and the frank discussion of infidelity and love is refreshing and eye-opening. Perfect for older teens and adults.

dwiggit101
teen, 16 years old
 
Shouldn't have been rated R
Well, I don't really know why this is rated R. It's really not that bad.There is, like, NO language at all. They don't show anyone having sex, but they show people lying in bed. There is one scene where some main characters are smoking pot, but that's about as bad as this movie gets. IT'S HILARIOUS!! :)

goldforever21
teen, 14 years old
 
Perfect for adults and maybe for teens, but not for younger children!
I loved this movie! It was a great comedy even for teens in my opinion. There was a lot of sexual content, but overall it was very entertaining to watch. I would recommend this 15+....

Gummybearxo
teen, 14 years old
 
Iffy for tweens, So funny for teens, but no kids.
I am 13 and I saw it and didn't find it inappropriate or offensive but gave off some bad messages about "love" and divorce. It might be a bit awkward for people who's parent's recently got divorced and may give false hope about parents getting back together.

david.wallace
parent of 10 and 10 year old
 
Funny Middle Aged
Pretty wholesome rated R movie. For a comedy it doesn't have the happiest ending, but there are plenty of laughs along. I talked to some other parents who let their kids watch it and they loved it. I feel that my kids (10 and 10) are too young and would not enjoy it anyway.

ilovecookiez
teen, 14 years old
 
illegal drugs have been shown.
What? This isn't rated R! It's rated PG-13. My Dad rented this and Me and my mom watched it and the cover of the movie said PG-13. There is some drinking (I think) and Jane smokes an illegal drug. I don't really remember much of this movie...

mikeisawesome123
parent of 11 year old
 
Not so funny
This was suppose to be a romantic comedy but it really wasn't as funny as I thought it would be. There was a lot of sexuality. Lots of sex scenes. They never really did show people actually having sex. Just before and after they did. One depict of a man's but. Now this why this movie is rated R. In one scene, a man is shown with marijuana and tries to get someone to smoke it. Next, the girl is shown with the pot before it is smoked, but says she smoked it, that she was high, and it was strong. Next, the two people are shown smoking pot. Then, they are again shown smoking pot. Then a man walks in and he smokes the pot.

jimanorris
parent of 14 year old
 
Adults only...
Adults only in this very good movie about divorce and adultry.

9001
teen, 15 years old
 
16+
This movie definitely contains mature s**ual content.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age