The story of It's Complicated
It's Complicated follows Jane Adler, a successful bakery owner living her best life in the years after her divorce from Jake, a high-powered lawyer. Then Jake remarries—to a younger woman, naturally—and suddenly finds himself drawn back to Jane. The catch? Jane's not sitting around waiting for him. She's cautiously exploring a romance with Adam, a gentle architect who's genuinely interested in building something real with her. What unfolds is a romantic tangle that's both funny and surprisingly human, exploring what happens when your past shows up at exactly the wrong moment, or maybe the right one. The film doesn't pretend these situations have easy answers.
Behind the making of It's Complicated
Director Nancy Meyers brought her signature style to this 2009 romantic comedy—the kind of polished, witty filmmaking that made her a powerhouse in the genre throughout the 2000s. Meyers has always had a gift for writing characters who feel like real people, not types, and It's Complicated is no exception. The cast is genuinely stacked: Meryl Streep carries the film with her characteristic intelligence and comedic timing, while Alec Baldwin brings unexpected warmth to a character who could've been a caricature. Steve Martin, playing the architect Adam, brings a different energy entirely—quieter, more sincere, which creates an interesting dynamic with Baldwin's more aggressive charm. John Krasinski, Caitlin FitzGerald, Hunter Parrish, and Zoe Kazan round out the ensemble, each adding texture to the family dynamics.
The film earned strong commercial success, grossing over $112 million worldwide, which was a solid return for a romantic comedy aimed at adult audiences. That's no small feat in a market often dominated by younger demographics. Awards recognition included a BAFTA nomination and eight wins across various ceremonies, though critics were more divided—Metascore landed it at 57/100, and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 58% rating. The R rating reflects some language and sexual content, though nothing gratuitous; it's really a film for grown-ups talking about grown-up problems. Runtime hits 120 minutes, which gives Meyers room to develop her characters properly rather than rushing through setup.
What makes It's Complicated stand out
Here's what's striking about It's Complicated: it takes a premise that could be purely comedic—the ex-lover returning—and treats the emotional stakes as real. Streep's Jane isn't a punchline. She's genuinely confused, genuinely tempted, and genuinely torn between two different visions of her future. That complexity is baked into the title itself, and Meyers doesn't shy away from it. The humor comes from character and situation, not from mocking anyone for their feelings. When Jake shows up at Jane's house in the middle of the night, there's comedy in the awkwardness, sure—but there's also real tension about what it means and what Jane actually wants.
Baldwin and Streep have chemistry that feels earned rather than manufactured. They've known each other for years (in the film's timeline), and that history shows. What's less obvious but equally important is how Steve Martin's presence shifts the entire emotional landscape. He's not trying to out-charm Baldwin; he's offering something different—stability, genuine interest, a kind of quiet respect. The film could've made him the "safe choice" and Baldwin the "exciting choice," but it doesn't quite work that way. It's messier than that, which is exactly what makes it feel true. I keep coming back to a scene where Jane's caught between the two men, and you can see on her face that she's not sure what she wants because, honestly, wanting two different things at once is a pretty normal human experience.
The supporting cast deserves credit too. Zoe Kazan, as Jake's young wife, could've been written as a villain or a joke, but instead she's portrayed with genuine sympathy—she's not the problem here, and the film knows it. That kind of nuance isn't always present in romantic comedies, which tend to flatten secondary characters into obstacles.
Where to stream It's Complicated online
It's Complicated is available on major OTT services, and you can check the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page to see which platforms are currently streaming it in your region. Availability shifts regularly depending on licensing agreements, so Movie OTT keeps a real-time tracker of where this title and thousands of others are available right now. If you're a subscriber to any of the major streaming services, there's a solid chance you'll find it without having to rent or purchase—though those options are usually available too if it's not included with your current subscriptions. Movie OTT's streaming aggregator makes it easy to check availability across Netflix, Prime Video, and other platforms without clicking around endlessly.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed It's Complicated?
Nancy Meyers directed It's Complicated in 2009. Meyers is known for her sophisticated romantic comedies and her ability to write intelligent, complex female characters. She also wrote the screenplay for this film.
Q: Is It's Complicated based on a true story?
No, It's Complicated is an original screenplay written by Nancy Meyers, not based on real events or existing source material. The situations and characters are fictional, though they explore themes many people recognize from their own lives.
Q: How long is It's Complicated?
The film has a runtime of 120 minutes (two hours), which gives the story room to develop character relationships and romantic tension without feeling rushed.
Q: What's the age rating for It's Complicated?
It's Complicated is rated R for some language and sexual content. It's intended for adult audiences, though the content isn't extreme—the rating reflects conversations and situations that grown-ups would recognize from their own experiences.
Q: Where can I watch It's Complicated right now?
You can find current streaming availability by checking the Where to Watch widget on this page. Movie OTT tracks which platforms have It's Complicated available in your region, so you'll know exactly where to find it without guessing.
Final thoughts on It's Complicated
It's Complicated isn't a perfect film—critics were split, and that's fair. Some found it too slight, too focused on the rom-com machinery rather than deeper character work. But what Meyers accomplishes here is genuinely valuable: a romantic comedy for adults that doesn't insult its audience's intelligence and doesn't pretend that messy feelings have tidy resolutions. Streep, Baldwin, and Martin are all excellent, and the film trusts them to carry emotional weight alongside the laughs. If you're looking for a smart, funny film about second chances and the complications that come with them, this one's worth your time.", "title_seo": "It's Complicated (2009) – Nancy Meyers' Divorce Comedy with Streep & Baldwin
