With a (woman) friend, I went to see the new Nancy Meyers chick flick, "It's Complicated," starring Meryl Streep as an independent divorcee whose old husband (Alex Baldwin now married to a much younger woman) wants to get back into bed with her. At the same time, Streep develops a yen for Mr. Milquetoast, an architect (hilariously played by Steve Martin) who is revamping her kitchen and adding an upstairs bedroom to her Santa Barbara manse.
Women of my generation feel aligned with Streep's character. Our first marriage was based on lust and lopsidededness -- the male was always the dominant force in a '60s or '70s relationship, especially when kids ensued. After the divorce came the awakening: we could do it on our own. Men were not only an economic drain but also an emotional flush.
Meanwhile, men realized how good they had had it with the first one and they wanted it back. Unfortunately for them, the times have irreversibly changed. Unless they possess fabulous wealth, charisma, and status -- like Donald Trump or Rupert Murdoch or Bill Clinton, who can buy themselves a young 'un -- there's no chance an older, wiser woman would give up her freedom to live her life at her pleasure.
And that's not complicated at all.
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