BuzzSugar

It's Complicated: An Affair to Remember

BuzzSugar — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:30:00 -0800

I haven't seen Something's Gotta Give, but I can tell you that It's Complicated is probably very similar. Same writer/director (Nancy Meyers), another cheeky title, another romantic comedy for a slightly older generation than what we're used to seeing. So why see It's Complicated? For the amazing leading man and leading lady.

Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin star as Jane and Jake Adams, a couple who re-ignite their spark 10 years after divorcing. Both former spouses have moved on, but in very different ways: Jane has made a life focusing on her successful bakery and being a doting mother to her three kids, while Jake has married the PYT (Lake Bell) that he cheated on Jane with.

That's just the tip of the iceberg though, so read more.

Things get, well, complicated, when fiercely independent Jane starts feeling a little lonely. With the help of a few drinks, she and Jack end up in the sack during their son's college graduation weekend. As Jane contemplates the morality of her situation and whether or not she's ready for a reunion, Jack decides he's too old for his new life and quests to win back her heart.

With any other actors, It's Complicated could be passed off as a forgettable romantic comedy that doesn't bring much to the table. And don't get me wrong - there's nothing particularly nuanced about the script - but Baldwin and Streep are just so charming and watchable that I found the film to be one the funnier movies I've seen in awhile. Baldwin basically plays a slightly more down-to-earth version of Jack Donaghy, and his presence and comedic timing alone kept me smiling. Streep plays off of him perfectly, equal parts luminous and alluring; their scenes together are sometimes corny, but their chemistry is magic. Steve Martin fits perfectly as the third point of their love triangle.

One of the film's most pleasant surprises comes wrapped up as John Krasinski. The Office star doesn't get much face time in the promos and trailers, but after the big three leads he's easily the strongest member of the supporting cast. As the fiance of Jane and Jake's oldest daughter, Krasinski's Harley is put in a most awkward situation when he accidentally discovers his future in-laws' affair. From there on, Krasinski gets to play the clown as he nervously drinks, interjects, and struggles to keep the secret - and he scores big laughs in the process.

The bottom line: if you're looking to see Oscar-worthy actors having some fun in less serious roles, It's Complicated is just the ticket.

Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures

Movie News: Krasinski, Eckhart, Blanchett Circle Roles

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:30:11 -0800

Aaron Eckhart in Rum Diary
Amber Heard gets to work with some mighty handsome men. Aaron Eckhart is in talks to join the cast of Rum Diary, the movie based on Hunter S. Thompson's novel, which already nabbed Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in main roles. In the story, "Eckhart is part of a love triangle that sees him vying with Depp for Heard's affection." Richard Jenkins is also joining the project as "the man who oversees the rundown newspaper" where Depp's character works.

Two more movie casting tidbits if you read more.

John Krasinski Joins Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin in Nancy Meyers Rom-Com
I'm pretty much sold on this movie already, even if details are scarce about, you know, the plot. In another love triangle story, Meryl Streep plays a woman caught between two men - played by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. Veteran rom-com writer/director Nancy Meyers (Father of the Bride, Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday) is behind the untitled project, which just now got John Krasinski to sign on. Again, mum's the word on any plot or character details (I'm guessing Krasinski's character is someone's son), but this casting makes me more anxious than ever for the movie.

Cate Blanchett May Play Maid Marian!
This is 100 percent just a rumor so far, but still, it's out there and it's a pretty awesome idea: Cate Blanchett might take the part of Maid Marian in Ridley Scott's movie Nottingham, a role originally intended for Sienna Miller. Actor Mark Strong (set for the role of Sir Guy of Gisbourne in the project) recently commented, "I think Cate Blanchett is set to take the Maid Marian part." Then he added what we all know to be true: "She is a wonderful actress and it would make it a much classier film if she was in it."

Source

Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin to Fight Over Meryl Streep

BuzzSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:30:44 -0700

I love this news: Steve Martin is joining the cast of the untitled Nancy Meyers movie that will star Meryl Streep (I've already expressed how much I'm looking forward to this project). What's more, his character will duke it out (maybe not physically, though I would love to see that) with Alec Baldwin's character to win the affections of the main lady (Streep).

I'm not always a fan of Meyers's work (What Women Want, oy) but she reliably attracts some top-notch talent. Her movies have lured Jack Nicholson, Kate Winslet, Diane Keaton (a few times), Helen Hunt, and Steve Martin (Father of the Bride!), among others. Mixing it up this time with Alec Baldwin and placing the ever-charming Meryl Streep front and center seems like a recipe for awesome.

Source

The Meryl Streep/Nancy Meyers Combo May Be Perfect

BuzzSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:30:21 -0700

When writer/director Nancy Meyers is good, she is so good. We can thank her for bringing us Baby Boom and Father of the Bride, two of my favorite lighthearted late-'80s/early-'90s comedies. Then again, she's also responsible for What Women Want, Something's Gotta Give, and The Holiday. So, there's that.

Regardless, I am excited for her newest project, an untitled romantic comedy, largely because she's nabbed the wonderfully enigmatic Meryl Streep as her leading lady (and, as much as I enjoy Diane Keaton in some things, I'm so glad Meyers didn't get Keaton for this one!). In fact, if we're to believe the Variety article, Streep "sparked to the script penned by Meyers." Details are scant; all we know is that "Streep will play the female in a romantic triangle with two men."

Interestingly, Streep is also about to star in the Julia Child movie, Julie and Julia, directed by another famous female rom-com director: Nora Ephron. All these strong lady projects make me so happy!

Source

Who Should Play Eloise?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

First of all:
There's going to be a feature-length film version of Eloise in Paris, based on the beloved children's book all about the precocious and privileged little six-year-old New Yorker, Eloise.

Secondly:
The movie will be written and directed by Charles Shyer, co-writer of such beloved movies as Father of the Bride and Baby Boom. What's more, his writing partner will be his 19-year-old daughter, Annie Meyers-Shyer, who he has with his screenwriter wife Nancy Meyers (who helped Shyer write the aforementioned movies, who is responsible for The Holiday, and who recently won an award).

How cute is that?
A father-daughter team writing an Eloise movie? Adorable. However, I can't quite get over the fact that the two screenwriters decided to hyphenate their kid's last name so it is Meyers-Shyer.

Now for the big question:
Who should play Eloise? The books have already made it to ABC as TV movies, but this is the big screen. Come on, expert Buzz recasters, start naming Eloise possibilities!

The Holiday: Frothy and Fun As a Cup of Cocoa

BuzzSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 07:38:44 -0800

Holiday romantic comedies are bound to be a bit cheesy. When the movie is actually called The Holiday, cheesiness is almost guaranteed. But this latest romp from director Nancy Meyers, which hits theaters tomorrow, rises to the top of its frothy, feel-good genre. The self-aware storyline centers on two women-movie-trailer producer Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and British weddings columnist Iris (Kate Winslet)-who swap houses for the holidays to get away from their less-than-satisfactory love lives. Amanda, who sleeps with her Blackberry and has just ruined another relationship with her workaholism, goes to live in Iris's quaint Surrey cottage, while Iris takes up residence at Amanda's palatial LA haunt to forget her three-year unrequited love.

In the beginning, that scenario lends itself to too many scenes of lonely women talking to themselves; the ones featuring Diaz's high-strung Amanda are nearly intolerable. But when a trio of men enter the picture-including Iris's sexy, suntanned brother Graham (Jude Law)-things get a lot more interesting, so read more

Shortly after arriving in LA, Iris meets two very different men: a witty film-score composer named Miles (played with rare and refreshing subtlety by Jack Black) and Arthur (Eli Wallach), her octogenarian neighbor who also happens to be a legendary screenwriter. Back in England, Amanda makes the acquaintance of the hunky Graham when he shows up drunk at his sister's cottage, not knowing that she's gone on holiday.

To add drama to many of Amanda's scenes, the director employs a clever device: voice-over narration by that ubiquitous movie-trailer guy. Iris and Arthur, meanwhile, spend lots of time discussing the common conventions of script writing. That film-centric subplot on both continents gives the movie a sort of cheeky self-awareness about its own filmic-ness. That way, when the inevitable romantic-comedy cliches and convenient plot twists sneak in, it's more amusing than annoying.

I don't know what's gotten into me: maybe it's the holiday spirit or that my viewing of "The Holiday" comes on the heels of watching one of the worst romantic comedies I've even seen, Trust the Man, on a recent plane ride. (It wasn't even mentioned in the in-flight magazine, which makes me suspect that we were being subjected to a bizarre social experiment.) But implausibly neat and tidy plot aside, the way the characters interact in this movie rings very true to life. Particularly in the Iris/Los Angeles subplot, The Holiday addresses some very universal relationship truths in a clever way. I can't really say the same for the somewhat silly Amanda/Graham romance back in England, but at least there I had the Jude Law eye candy to keep me interested.

PopSugar gives you the best celebrity photos and juicy gossip. Now, starting tomorrow, we're launching BuzzSugar.com to give you the straight story on must-see movies, hot albums, and all of your favorite TV shows. Tune in to hear about Oscar buzz, get caught up on the year's best songs, and read recaps of addictive shows like 24. The possibilities are endless...

BuzzSugar is coming soon. Sign up to receive an email notification as soon as we launch!