Celeste and Jesse Forever
(2012)A loved story.
Melancholy rom-com about a married couple (Andy Samberg and co-writer Rashida Jones) who split and remain best friends. But their seemingly reasonable decision brews longing emotions...... More
Celeste (Jones) and Jesse (Samberg) married young but grew apart. Now 30, Celeste is the driven owner of her own media consulting firm while Jesse is unemployed and in no particular rush to do anything with his life. Convinced that divorcing Jesse is the right thing to do, Celeste makes the call. But as the reality of their separation sets in and Jesse finds a new lover, Celeste begins to see her decision, which seemed mature and progressive at the time, as impulsive and selfish.Hide
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Directed by Lee Toland Krieger ('The Vicious Kind', 'December Ends')
Starring Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones, Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts, Eric Christian Olsen, Janel Parrish, Ari Graynor, Rich Sommer
Written by Rashida Jones, Will McCormack
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 3 providers
Flicks Review
BY Aaron Yap Flicks Writer
Like her Parks and Recreation co-star Aubrey Plaza in Safety Not Guaranteed, Rashida Jones’ first lead feature role is a likeable enough effort to step out from the tube, but also one that doesn’t deviate too much from her small screen persona. Perhaps it’s her limitations as an actress, or just the P&R writers’ knack for creating such well-rounded, uniquely tailored characters, but Celeste could easily be Anne Perkins reinvented as a trend forecaster with a little bit more emotional, dramatic breadth. Which is not to slight her performance - Jones is endearingly klutzy, and she bounces off Andy Samberg well, who’s - believe it or not - watchable attempting something straighter than we’re used to from him (The Lonely Island, Saturday Night Live).... More
That the screenplay, dotted with intimately humorous details that feel like private jokes from a long-term relationship, was written by Jones and her real-life ex Will McCormack, lends Celeste and Jesse Forever a truer-to-life veneer than your average Hollywood romantic comedy, and it helps sell us the idea that both characters, six months into their divorce, would remain so lovey-dovey and close to each other. But the film doesn’t quite transcend formula either (see: Elijah Wood’s gay, advice-offering colleague, McCormack’s stoner buddy), with director Lee Toland Krieger struggling to seamlessly balance the heart-tugging demands of a separation with its comic complications. As a vehicle for Jones, it’s fine - it’s just not the complete revision of the rules it initially presents itself to be.Hide
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Celeste and Jesse Forever
BY delarge101 superstar
Rashida Jones and Will McCormack's script contains enough sharp humour for every character to share around (even if the supporting characters take more for themselves), but Celeste and Jesse Forever's two lead characters are too self-absorbed and unlikeable for us to feel any sympathy. It is filmed in a slick, modern style for an extremely modest budget, but the story isn't as fresh and original as it thinks it is.
The Press Reviews
70%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
I'm not surprised that Rashida Jones took the lead in writing this screenplay; the way things are going now, if an actress doesn't write a good role for herself, no one else is going to write one. Full Review
A low-fi indie that swiftly slums into terminal feyness. Full Review
What really lifts Celeste and Jesse Forever above the rom-com herd, besides breakout star performances from Jones and Samberg, is the movie's willingness to replace clichés with painful truths. It's irresistible. Full Review
Jones writes herself a couple of powerful scenes and plays them well, but she and director Lee Toland Krieger don't find many memorable uses for Samberg as her blandly schlubby hubby. Full Review
This honest, if not funny, comedy is all about Celeste. If anyone can make you sympathise with affluent LA yuppies, Rashida Jones can. Full Review
Some nice moments, but it's unbearably self-conscious and nowhere does it resemble real life. Full Review
Charming and not without its moments, but far too conventional to capture the complexity it strives for. Full Review
Delivers an affectionate and intelligent look at how even the closest couples can find that breaking up is so very hard to do. Full Review
Decidedly conventional in most respects, it's pretty swell as an exploration of a relationship between a man and a woman that's no longer predicated by mutual desire. Full Review
Earns points for bucking formula, but its fusion of snark and sincerity has a calculated slickness that rings increasingly hollow. Full Review
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