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It's Complicated (2009) movie poster

Characters & Themes

It's Complicated (2009) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2009 · 120 min · English
JustWatch #11,841 13
Directed by
Nancy Meyers
Starring
Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin
Budget
$85M

After a decade since their divorce, Jane and Jake find their past connection reignited at their son's college graduation. As they cautiously explore their renewed feelings, Jane begins a new relationship with an architect, creating a complicated situation filled with unexpected challenges. The film explores themes of love, second chances, and the complexities of family relationships as they navigate this tangled web of emotions.

Comedy Romance Cast, crew & box office
On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like It's Complicated
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch It's Complicated (2009)

Where can you watch It's Complicated? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

It's Complicated Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of It's Complicated (2009), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Jake (Alec Baldwin)

    Jake is a divorced lawyer who grapples with lingering feelings for his ex-wife Jane. Despite being married to a younger woman, his emotional ties to Jane complicate his life. His playful flirtation and romantic gestures reveal his inner turmoil and desire to reconnect with a past love.

    • 🧑‍⚖️ Lawyer
    • ❤️ Love
    • 😔 Regret

  • Jane (Meryl Streep)

    Jane is a divorced mother facing the challenges of her children growing up and leaving home. Conflicted between past affections and new possibilities with Adam, her character embodies the struggle of reconciling love and independence. Her journey is one of self-realization and emotional complexity.

    • 👩‍🍳 Baker
    • 🌱 Self-Discovery
    • 💔 Heartfelt

  • Adam (Steve Martin)

    Adam is an architect who becomes a new romantic interest for Jane. His kind demeanor and supportive nature provide a contrast to Jane's past with Jake, making him a pivotal character in her journey of self-discovery. Adam's relationship with Jane explores themes of love and companionship.

    • 👷 Architect
    • 💖 Compassion
    • 🤝 Supportive

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:16

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Setting

Where and When Does It's Complicated Take Place?

The setting of It's Complicated (2009): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Contemporary

The story unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting the challenges faced by individuals navigating love and relationships in modern society. It captures the essence of midlife crises as the characters grapple with personal identity and familial responsibilities in the present day.

Location

Picturesque neighborhood, a bakery, hotel, fertility center

The movie is set in a picturesque neighborhood characterized by coastal views and a charming bakery owned by Jane. The bakery serves as a gathering point where significant emotional moments unfold. Key locations like a hotel and a fertility center are integral, highlighting the complexities of relationships and personal struggles.

  • 🌊 Coastal
  • 🍰 Bakery
  • 🏨 Hotel

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:16

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3 major themes

It's Complicated Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is It's Complicated (2009) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Love Triangle

    The theme of a love triangle is central to the film as Jane finds herself torn between her ex-husband Jake and the architect Adam. This emotional conflict highlights the complexities of love and the difficulty of letting go of past relationships while exploring new connections. The intertwining dynamics lead to humorous and poignant moments that resonate with audiences.

  • Midlife Crisis

    The characters navigate a midlife crisis, facing the reality of aging and the challenges of rekindled feelings. The story delves into their struggles to find happiness and fulfillment while balancing family obligations and personal desires. It underscores the introspective journey of rediscovering oneself amid life’s uncertainties.

  • Self-Discovery

    Jane's journey is one of self-discovery as she confronts her feelings for Jake and Adam, leading to moments of introspection. The narrative emphasizes the importance of understanding one's desires and choices, paving the way for personal growth while addressing the complexities of relationships.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:16

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Character & theme questions

It's Complicated Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about It's Complicated (2009): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The film takes place in a picturesque coastal neighborhood, featuring a charming bakery owned by Jane that serves as a central gathering point for emotional moments throughout the story.

  • setting
  • location
  • coastal
  • neighborhood
  • bakery
Q2

What role does Jane's bakery play in the story?

Jane's bakery is more than just a setting, it functions as a gathering point where significant emotional moments unfold, reflecting her independence and the life she built after her divorce.

  • bakery
  • jane
  • setting
  • emotional moments
Q3

What time period is the movie set in?

It's Complicated is set in contemporary times, reflecting the modern challenges of navigating love and relationships in today's world.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern
  • year 2009
Q4

What is the love triangle about?

The love triangle centers on Jane being torn between her ex-husband Jake and the architect Adam, exploring the emotional conflict of letting go of past relationships while opening oneself to new connections.

  • love triangle
  • jake
  • adam
  • jane
  • romance
Q5

How does the movie portray midlife crisis?

The characters face the reality of aging and rekindled feelings, balancing family obligations with personal desires as they navigate the introspective journey of rediscovering themselves amid life's uncertainties.

  • midlife crisis
  • aging
  • self-discovery
  • emotional journey
Q6

What does the movie say about second chances in love?

The film explores second chances through Jane and Jake's renewed connection after a decade apart, examining whether rekindling an old flame or embracing a new relationship leads to fulfillment.

  • second chances
  • love
  • relationship
  • reconciliation
Q7

Who is Jake in the movie?

Jake is Jane's divorced ex-husband, a lawyer still grappling with lingering feelings for her despite being married to a younger woman, whose playful flirtation reveals his inner desire to reconnect.

  • jake
  • ex-husband
  • lawyer
  • alec baldwin
Q8

Who is Jane in the movie?

Jane is a divorced mother and bakery owner facing the challenges of her children leaving home, torn between past affections for Jake and new possibilities with Adam in her journey toward self-realization.

  • jane
  • bakery owner
  • meryl streep
  • protagonist
Q9

Who is Adam in the movie?

Adam is an architect who becomes Jane's new romantic interest, offering a kind and supportive contrast to her past with Jake and playing a pivotal role in her journey of self-discovery.

  • adam
  • architect
  • steve martin
  • love interest
Q10

What is the tone of the movie?

The film maintains a light, humorous tone through witty dialogue and romantic comedy, balancing funny situations with genuine emotional moments without becoming overly dramatic.

  • tone
  • comedy
  • romance
  • humor
  • genre
Q11

Why is a fertility center featured in the movie?

The fertility center serves as a plot element highlighting the complexities of relationships and personal struggles, reflecting the adult themes of aging and life's unexpected challenges.

  • fertility center
  • plot element
  • relationships
  • complications

Movie threads

More Movies Like It's Complicated, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes It's Complicated tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Midlife romantic comedies like It's Complicated

Stories of finding love and rediscovering yourself after age 40. If you enjoyed the humorous and heartfelt exploration of love later in life in It's Complicated, you'll find similar stories here. Discover other movies about midlife romance, second chances, and the awkward, wonderful complications of finding love after 40.

  • reflective
  • humorous
  • romantic
  • awkward
  • lighthearted
  • hopeful
  • Tone: light, humorous, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows established adults, often post-divorce or in a life rut, who are thrust back into the dating world or confront a past love. The journey blends romantic comedy with a theme of self-discovery, as characters balance family responsibilities, personal history, and the desire for a new beginning.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the specific romantic and existential challenges of midlife. They combine lighthearted humor with genuine emotional reflection, creating a relatable and often comforting vibe for viewers looking for stories about love not being just for the young.

It's Complicated movie poster

It's Complicated

2009
Period of Adjustment movie poster

Period of Adjustment

1962
My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend movie poster

My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

2010
Love Action Drama movie poster

Love Action Drama

2019
Boomerang movie poster

Boomerang

1992
Hollywood Ending movie poster

Hollywood Ending

2002
Rumor Has It... movie poster

Rumor Has It...

2005
Marriage on the Rocks movie poster

Marriage on the Rocks

1965

Lighthearted love triangle movies like It's Complicated

Romantic entanglements that are more awkward than angsty, focused on character growth. Fans of It's Complicated who enjoyed the witty take on a rekindled affair and a new romance will find more movies here. These films feature complicated love triangles that are played for humor and heart, leading to bittersweet but satisfying character growth.

  • awkward
  • humorous
  • conflicted
  • whimsical
  • romantic
  • bittersweet
  • Tone: lighthearted, witty, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically involves a protagonist caught between two compelling romantic options, often an ex-partner and a new interest. The story unfolds through a series of escalating, farcical scenarios that test the character's judgment and desires, ultimately leading to a resolution that prioritizes self-awareness over a simplistic happy ending.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique blend of a classic love triangle plot with a consistently light tone. They share a focus on situational comedy, witty dialogue, and emotional stakes that feel relatable and humorous rather than heartbreaking, making the complications enjoyable to watch.

It's Complicated movie poster

It's Complicated

2009
The Love Letter movie poster

The Love Letter

1999
The Heartbreak Kid movie poster

The Heartbreak Kid

2007
The Lovers! movie poster

The Lovers!

1973
French Film movie poster

French Film

2008
The Odd Couple movie poster

The Odd Couple

2007
Cupid One movie poster

Cupid One

1985
They Came Together movie poster

They Came Together

2014

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Movies Like It's Complicated

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Every angle

It's Complicated (2009) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about It's Complicated in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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