The Couple: Jake and Jane Adler
The Couple: Jane Adler and Adam

The Movie: It’s Complicated

Reel Thing Rating: Jane and Jake, 2 out of 5 reels.
Reel Thing Rating: Jane and Adam, 3 out of 5 reels.
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Trying to figure out who’s the Reel Thing here is as the title suggests: complicated. Ten years ago, Jake and Jane Adler got divorced after Jake’s affair with a younger woman, whom he subsequently married. At their son’s graduation in New York, Jake and Jane hook up, and despite the fact that Jane declares it the worst mistake two people could possibly make, they continue the affair after they return home.

Meanwhile, Jane is just starting the long dreamed-of renovation of her house, and Adam, her architect, has his eye on her. After several meetings to talk business, she finally realizes that Adam would like to take things in a more romantic direction. Here seems like the perfect antidote to the craziness with Jake, and the two begin to date.

So which couple is the Reel Thing?

In some ways, we could see Jake and Jane successfully rekindling their relationship. They know each other so well, share so much history, and fall back into being together effortlessly. At the same time, they’ve both grown wiser since their marriage failed. (Or at least, Jane has. The verdict is still out on Jake.) Jane’s new confidence brings a spark to their dynamic that’s exciting to them both. Plus, for Jane, there’s the undeniable thrill of snatching her husband back from the woman who stole him from her.

On the other hand, the fact that they share so much history could also stand in their way. Jake has now cheated on two wives, and serial philandering tends to be an untreatable condition. Jake seems to stray when the going gets rough at home, and we wonder if he’d even be pursuing Jane if things were happier with his current wife. But even if Jake were truly committed to Jane for life, is it possible to trust someone again when they’ve betrayed you so badly? Not to mention that there are the kids to consider. The divorce was traumatic for them and so is their parents’ affair.

As for Adam, he and Jane have an easy, comfortable connection. They like each other, have fun together, and make each other laugh. We don’t sense any excess of passion, but compared to the lusty antics between Jane and Jake, that seems more refreshingly adult and sane than disappointing. With Adam, Jane has a new beginning, and in the end, isn’t it better to go forward than to go back?

So we give the edge to Adam, but we kind of doubt either relationship is for keeps. Jane has arrived at a point where her life is complete whether or not she has a man. She has good friends, does work she loves, enjoys a close relationship with her grown-up children, and is just plain comfortable in her skin. It’s obvious that all this wisdom is hard-won, and we’re not sure how many compromises Jane will be willing to make to be in a relationship. We think it’s just possible that Jane’s Reel Thing is her independence.

Tagged with: alec baldwin • it's complicated • meryl streep • romantic comedy • steve martin

Filed under: 2 Reels • 3 Reels

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