It’s Complicated: What Really Happened with the Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin Movie

You know that feeling when you're scrolling through cable or a streaming app at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday and you just want something that feels like a warm blanket? Most of the time, that blanket is It’s Complicated.

Released in 2009, this movie basically redefined what a "grown-up" rom-com could look like. It wasn't about twenty-somethings chasing each other through an airport. Honestly, it was about something way messier: a divorced couple (played by Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin) who accidentally start an affair with each other.

Yeah. They cheat on the new wife with the old wife. It's a trip.

The Premise That Shouldn't Have Worked

Jane (Streep) and Jake (Baldwin) have been divorced for ten years. She’s got the dream life in Santa Barbara—a gorgeous bakery, a house that looks like a Pinterest board before Pinterest existed, and three kids who are finally grown. Jake, on the other hand, is married to a much younger woman named Agness and is clearly going through a mid-life crisis that involves too much gym time and not enough actual happiness.

They meet up in New York for their son’s college graduation. One too many martinis later at the hotel bar, and suddenly the "ex" factor disappears. They’re back in bed.

What makes It’s Complicated so fascinating is how it flips the script. Usually, the "ex-wife" is the one being cheated on. Here, Jane becomes the "other woman" in her own former marriage. It’s awkward. It’s hilarious. And kinda heartbreaking if you think about it too long.

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Why the Streep and Baldwin Chemistry Was Magic

Meryl Streep is, well, Meryl Streep. She brings this jittery, nervous energy to Jane that makes you root for her even when she’s making terrible choices. But Alec Baldwin? This might be his most "Alec Baldwin" role ever. He’s charming, loud, unapologetic, and has this specific way of delivering lines that feels like he’s constantly sharing an inside joke with the audience.

The Steve Martin Factor

We can't talk about this movie without mentioning Steve Martin. He plays Adam, the architect Jane hires to remodel her kitchen. He’s the "nice guy" alternative to Jake’s chaotic energy.

Most people forget that Steve Martin is actually a very subtle actor when he wants to be. His performance here is quiet and sweet, which provides a necessary balance to the high-octane drama of the Jane-Jake-Agness triangle. The scene where Jane and Adam get high on a joint they found in her son's room? Pure cinema gold.

The "Nancy Meyers" Aesthetic: The House is a Character

If you’ve seen a Nancy Meyers movie (The Holiday, Something's Gotta Give), you know the kitchen is usually more famous than the actors. In It’s Complicated, Jane’s Santa Barbara home is the ultimate aspirational real estate.

Here’s a wild fact: the house isn't actually in Santa Barbara. The exterior is a real ranch in Thousand Oaks, California, but the interiors? Those were all built on a massive soundstage in Brooklyn, New York.

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Director of Photography John Toll and Production Designer Jon Hutman worked to make the lighting feel like that specific, golden California sun, even though it was often snowing outside the studio in New York during filming.

• The Kitchen: Oversized islands, marble countertops, and open shelving.
• The Bakery: Inspired by real-life spots like Sarabeth’s in NYC.
• The Garden: Lush, overgrown, and perfectly manicured all at once.

Critics sometimes call this "real estate porn." They’re not wrong. It’s hard to focus on the plot when you’re wondering where she got those pendant lights.

What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending

There’s a common misconception that the movie is a simple "choose your guy" story. It’s not.

By the end, Jane realizes that the affair with Jake wasn't about getting back together. It was about closure. She needed to see him as a human being again—flaws and all—rather than just the man who broke her heart a decade earlier.

The movie doesn't give you a perfect, tied-with-a-bow ending. Jake is left dealing with the fallout of his marriage, and Jane is finally, truly single and okay with it. It’s a brave choice for a Hollywood rom-com. It’s also why the movie has such staying power.

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Why We’re Still Talking About It in 2026

It’s been over 15 years. Why is It’s Complicated still a top-ten stream on platforms like Hulu and Max?

Basically, it treats middle-aged people like they have lives. It acknowledges that you can be sixty and still be confused, sexy, career-driven, and a little bit of a disaster. In a world where movies are often obsessed with youth, seeing Meryl Streep navigate a messy love life is incredibly refreshing.

Real-World Takeaways for Your Next Rewatch

If you're planning to revisit this classic, keep an eye out for these specific details that make the movie work:

1. The Wardrobe: Notice how Jane’s clothes shift from neutral, safe tones to brighter, more relaxed fits as she starts her "experiment" with Jake.
2. John Krasinski: Before he was a massive action star, he played the son-in-law, Harley. His physical comedy in the scene where he catches Jane and Jake together is some of the best in the film.
3. The Food: Jane is a professional baker. Pay attention to the chocolate croissants. They used a real pastry consultant to make sure Streep looked like she actually knew her way around a kitchen.

Whether you're in it for the laughs, the drama, or just to stare at a kitchen you'll never be able to afford, this movie remains a masterclass in the genre. It's messy. It's funny. It's... well, you know.

To dive deeper into the world of Jane Adler, you can check out the official screenplay or look for behind-the-scenes features on the 10th-anniversary Blu-ray. If you're looking to recreate the vibe, start by searching for "Nancy Meyers interior design" or looking up recipes for the lavender honey ice cream Jane makes in the film.

The best way to enjoy it is exactly how Jane would: with a glass of good white wine and a plate of something delicious.