BOTTOM LINE: Rich performances from a fantastic cast and a down to earth, realistic portrayal of the subject matter of divorce and relationships do not make up for the fact that this is an average, “wait for DVD” film.

THE GOOD: Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake (Alec Baldwin) are divorced. Jane has to endure watching her ex-husband with a younger woman while being alone. One night, fate brings Jane and Jake together in a hotel bar in New York where after a drunken night of fun they rekindle their desire for each other. Jane is reluctant to continue, but after a while, she gives in and pursues the relationship to see what is there. To add to the confusion is Jane’s architect Adam (Steve Martin), a really nice guy who likes Jane, and eventually something starts sparking between them as well. Given the light-hearted but earthy approach taken by director Nancy Meyers to the material, and these great actors who give well rounded performances with their characters, the film works as a fairly realistic portrayal of an older generation of people working through the complications of marriage, divorce and moving on. The charm of the film lies in the various scenes of interaction between the characters, with Meryl Streep being her usual excellent self in expressing fear, doubt, confusion and excitement all at the same time. Alec Baldwin exudes an incredible likeability with his character, despite not only cheating on Jane but his current wife. Steve Martin is fantastic with his surprisingly subtle performance, portraying a vulnerable yet very nice guy. “It’s Complicated” will undoubtedly appeal to any one who has gone through complications in their marriage and/or relationships, and is quite a nice, fun film.

THE BAD: Aside from the stellar cast, there is not much about the film that leaps out as being cinematic. It plays better as a TV movie or straight-to-DVD effort. Much of the problem lies in the fact that there are no real stakes for any of the characters in the scenario presented. The relationship at the heart of the film between the divorced couple was never going to eventuate in to anything long lasting, and Jane was always going to end up with Adam otherwise the whole tone of the film would have left a bad after taste. The only loser here is Jake who does not really have a happy ending but this is never shown, only implied. Subplots presented in the first half, such as Jane’s discussions with her gal-pals, are never brought forward to fruition or conclusion. As a result, there are sequences in the film that are misguided and do not serve the useful purpose that they should, with the subplot involving the reaction of Jane’s children to the whole situation being an excellent example of clumsy direction. As strange as it is to say, the film’s authentic portrayal of the three main characters and the scenario is both a blessing and a curse; a blessing because it feels real and a curse because it does not give the film the dramatic punch or comedic narrative it requires. “It’s Complicated” is good, just nothing special.