Hubby Said, Wifey Said: ‘It’s Complicated’

Mr. Candy and I offer husband-and-wife perspectives of the latest DVDs for our fellow parents who view most movies from the couch these days.

Plot:  When attending their son’s college graduation, a couple reignite the spark in their relationship…but the complicated fact is they’re divorced and he’s remarried.

Candy says…

This movie features a tremendous amount of alcohol consumption, which immediately earns it a “thumbs up” from me.  If you need even more than that to convince you to rent it (can’t imagine why you would), then I should note that it’s also warm and funny.  And features convincing, charming performances from Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin who share a delightful chemistry.

Although it obviously targets women in their thirties and beyond, I believe “It’s Complicated” is a movie that won’t make your husband sigh, “Yet another chick flick…?”

Not to get all cinematically technical on you, but this film is what true critics would call “good stuff.”

Mr. Candy says…

Maybe it is just the way my mind works, but whenever I watch a movie and I notice an inconsistency in the storyline it drives me crazy.   More on that later. . .

I really liked “It’s Complicated” and would totally recommend it. Great movie and the chemistry between Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin is the engine that makes this movie work. They are both great comedic actors. Sometimes two great individual things don’t work well together (see aborted childhood attempt at a slice of pepperoni pizza and an ice cream sundae), but in this case the two work great together.  But there is this inconsistency I can’t get out of my mind…

Baldwin without the digitizing

That is just it, the “butt” is the inconsistency.

I understand the need sometimes for body doubles. I now know it wasn’t Jennifer Beals’ body dancing in “Flash Dance.” Who knows what Jennifer looked like at the time, so maybe it was necessary. In that case Hollywood did its part to create that movie magic that builds the illusion that feeds your fantasies.

Ummmmm, perhaps I have started to say too much, back to my point.

When body doubles look nothing like the star, then the illusion is broken.  This is what happened with the Alec Baldwin butt shot. Through out the movie we see his half naked overweight hairy body. I mean the Alec of today looks more like Yogi Bear than Jack Ryan.  So, when he turns around and bends down, I had to put down the popcorn because I was expecting all sorts of ocular pain. Well, turns out this hairless firm butt suddenly appears on the screen. This would be akin to seeing a tall (say 5’9”) blonde guy jumping out of some explosion in “Mission Impossible.”  It just destroys the illusion.  So I say to Alec, either be proud of your butt and do your own butt shots, or at least call in Yogi Bear to be your butt double. I hear he will “bear” it all for a picnic basket.