It’s Complicated

English (A)
Cast: Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin

Jane Adler (Meryl Streep) is a divorcee in her late 50s. However, she seems perfectly happy until she and her ex-husband Jake (Alec Baldwin), who is now married to a very ‘young’ wife, meet up for their son’s college graduation day. Struck by the old spark they once again have a hot one-night-stand. Now, Jake wants to continue his affair with Jane. However, Jane is in dilemma: Should she become the mistress to her ex-husband or start an earnest relationship with her charming architect Adam (Steve Martin). She must find out where her heart really feels comfortable.

The films’ setting is extremely sophisticated and all credit goes to director Nancy Meyers. The upper class love story is richly depicted with big kitchens and fairytale-like gardens. She is also blessed with three of the best comedians–Streep, Baldwin and Martin. Streep is tender as a sex-deprived woman and she has fun discussing whether woman’s ‘part’ closes after not having sex for long time. Baldwin looks sly and weak as a man who would rather sleep with his ex-wife than with his sexy wife. And Martin also shares some of his funny side in a scene where Adam and Jane are high on marijuana. Adlers’ three grown-up kids are also believable as siblings who would be disturbed at their parents ‘strange’ behaviors over the last few days. The film thus has the some of the best stars playing roles true to their characters.

However, “It’s Complicated” is still weak on substance. This romcom involving middle-aged couples is coated with sweet chocolates like the cakes prepared by Jane. A little filling in the form of ‘blueberries’ and perhaps some ‘jellies’ would make it more memorable.

Review by Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald

Invictus review

English (U/A)
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge
Director:  Clint Eastwood

Based on the life of apartheid era icon Nelson Mandela’s life, “Invictus” focuses on the reconciliation process in South Africa. The film begins with the release of Mandela who is looked upon with intense speculation over his ability to run a government. After winning the trust of the previous white regime employees, Mandela begins implementing his ‘human calculation’ to bridge the blacks and whites through rugby.

First he convinces his fellow blacks to retain the whites’ Springbok team’s uniform and then crosses expectations of the whites by meeting captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) personally. Once, he realises that all Afrikaans now have something to rally around together he begins lobbying for hosting the 1995 Rugby World Cup in his country.
Clint Eastwood’s drama clearly shows how a good leader can make use of certain events to build a nation sans melodrama. Morgan Freeman shows he is the best man to play Mandela and this film is more of his than of Matt Damon.

The best thing about this film is that it hardly preachy. There are no overwrought dialogues or dramatic music to instill sentimentality. Drama remains the strongest tool in Eastwood’s tool box. The theme is serious in nature but there are numbers of humorous moments. It’s really fun to watch Mandela’s black and white bodyguards watching rugby together. The blacks don’t know the A B C of the game, yet they soon develop a bond with their white counterparts through it.

A rugby game may not completely heal a nation’s scars but it gave the Afrikaans something to cheer together and in one voice. ‘Invictus’ has made nation-building look so cool.

Review by Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald