¨At last love
wins. You guys are lucky to be best friends.¨
Celeste and
Jesse Forever is an authentic romantic comedy directed by Lee Toland Krieger (winner
of the Independent Spirit Award in 2010 for the screenplay of The Vicious Kind)
and written by first timers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. They are mostly known
for their acting abilities, but they did receive an Independent Spirit
nomination for their collaboration in this screenplay. Rashida Jones also stars
in this film and McCormack has a supporting role as well. The story feels real
and authentic and despite the fact that it stars Andy Samberg this is not as
much as a comedy as it is a romantic drama. This is a very different role than
what Samberg has us used to and he gives a very convincing performance alongside
Rashida Jones who really delivers here. This may be her best performance to
date. What I enjoyed most about their characters is that they were deeply
flawed and vulnerable towards each other, but despite that they still managed
to be really likeable. I thought it was a very honest portrayal about two best
friends who fall in love with each other at a very young age and have problems
making the transition to adulthood together. In a way this is a very different romantic
comedy since it begins sort of upside down with the romantic montage at the
beginning of the movie and the disintegration of their relationship from then
on. I really was surprised with the opening of the film since I really didn’t know
what this movie was about. The movie transitions nicely from being serious at
times to being more playful at others, but it´s all handled in a very authentic
and believable way.
The movie
begins with a romantic montage between Jesse (Andy Sandberg) and Celeste
(Rashida Jones), two best friends in love with each other with a nice indie
soundtrack in the background. When the story begins we are surprised to
discover that the two friends aren’t actually in a relationship anymore, since
they have been separated for 6 months and are planning on getting divorced
after six years of marriage. You wouldn’t know that if you were an outsider
because the couple seems to get along with each other perfectly. Jesse and
Celeste remain close friends and spend almost all day talking to each other. Jesse
also happens to be living in Celeste´s guest house as he is currently
unemployed and seems to be a bit of a slacker. Celeste on the other hand is a successful
trend forecaster who has recently written a book on the matter. It seems that
the main issue between them during their marriage was that Jesse was a little
too childish and irresponsible. Anyway, they seem to get along better now as
friends. They spend a lot of time with their friends, Beth (Ari Graynor) and Tucker
(Eric Christian Olsen) who are engaged, and think that the two should work out
their issues. Celeste is currently working for an important client, a pop
artist sensation named Riley (Emma Roberts), along with her partner Scott
(Elijah Wood). Their friendship is put to the test when Jesse begins dating
another woman and Celeste struggles to let go of feelings she thought weren’t there
anymore.
I really
enjoyed this film because it tackled the issues of best friends and breakup in
a very authentic and real way. Rashida Jones gives a strong performance
although she did go a little over the top with her reaction over Jesse dating
someone else. She plays this character that thinks is so successful and smarter
than everyone else. That is basically what hurt her relationship with Jesse
since she considers him a slacker who seems to be heading nowhere with his life.
She feels like Jesse is too immature for her, but at the same time that is what
she loves about him because when the two are together they do a lot of childish
things together. Their relationship is complicated, and the film depicts it in
a very authentic way. This is an enjoyable indie romantic drama that is definitely
worth your time. Rashida Jones should get some stronger roles offered her way
because she´s a talented actress and proved here that she can carry a movie.
This is a strong emotional film that will leave you with a smile on your face
and at the same time a sense of nostalgia.
I agree with Mary Pols from TIME magazine where she said ¨I´d rather
watch five divorce movies like this than one more featuring Katherine Heigl
getting married.¨ Break up can be really hard and this movie shows it in an
authentic way.
http://estebueno10.blogspot.com/
Lovely review! I've also just done one! :)
ResponderEliminarNew follower x
http://www.bohemianmuses.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/celeste-and-jesse-forever-movie-review.html
Thanks Jade! I`ll also check your review out ;)
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