Celeste & Jesse Forever (2012)

Pretty Good

Good movie but grossly overrated

A Masterpiece!

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

While I feel ambivalent about this one, it is, overall, a pleasant enough ambivalence. Jones is interesting in the lead, and it is, after all, her film (which she co-wrote). The LA setting is handled well. There are some draggy moments but the film taps into the zeitgeist without seeming to try too hard at that. It is funny and it is sad. Is any of that new? Not really but the mix at least feels kind of fresh. If you go into this one without sky-high expectations you'll find ample stuff to like. Fun supporting roles. And a recognition of the bittersweet way things are. Romcoms are tough. This is no surefire classic and I wouldn't call it a date movie. Probably the best can be said is that it's not bad.

This movie is stupid. It's about a couple who have been together since they were young. They got married and are now in the midst of a separation. Celeste has grown and has become successful, while Jesse stays immature and more or less rides her coat tail. He never grows up and thinks it's more important to go surfing than look for a job. They obviously grow apart. The sad thing about it is they both start acting stupid. Instead of distancing themselves from each other to allow the divorce to sink in, they insist on hanging out together as if they were best buds. Celeste is acting like the enabler by throwing him freelance work and letting him live in the studio behind her house. Skip ahead into the movie..... Jesse has a short fling with a woman who ends up pregnant. All of a sudden he grows up and wants to make things work with the new woman who he's know for all of five minutes, while at the same time throwing mixed signals to Celeste as if he wants her back. Celeste breaks down and realizes she made a mistake and wants him back. This whole movie was painful to watch. Especially the part where Celeste starts acting desperate. The part that irritates me is the fact that it try's to make Celeste look like the person who has all of the issues and Jesse look like the innocent who has been wronged and deserves this second chance at life. Typical misogynist movie.

Celeste and Jesse may finish each other's sentences but it doesn't mean there's no end to what they have. That's the whole idea behind this reverse rom-com flick about a young couple on the brink of divorce. While most separating couples will have troubles in the process, it's not the same for Celeste and Jesse, who are bestfriends even before they were married. Or will they? The first quarter of the film takes you on a montage of reasons why Celeste and Jesse are made for each other. From their routines and inside jokes, you'll keep wondering why they are breaking up anyway. You may even find yourself rooting for them to get back together in the end. Though the film never indicates exactly why they're separating, you'll find out soon enough through the actions of the two under specific situations. It was more about their individualities rather than their problems as a couple.The second act takes you on a No U-Turn scenario, forcing them both to hurry up and actually let go of each other. It's gonna be difficult to watch as the two who still obviously has love for one another try to distance themselves and start over with their lives. The once strong and level-headed Celeste suddenly finds herself struggling to find a new love to replace her old flame. Jesse, on the other hand, has to start being serious and make it right this time with his new partner.The film's effective use of supporting characters help advance the lead and let us know who they really are, especially on Celeste's side. Her busy life after the break-up gives you a look at how she deals with the situation. Her life begins to be entangled with a spoiled pop star Riley Banks (played by Emma Roberts) when their team was assigned to market her new album. At first, it is obvious how much they don't like each other until they really get to know one another and soon form an unlikely friendship. Celeste also meets Paul (Chris Messina), a guy who intentionally signs up for yoga classes to meet women. These two characters bring out the truth of Celeste's personality and makes her realize her mistakes in the relationship.Though never stated directly, you'll find out why the marriage didn't work out for the two. The soon-to-be exes experience growth as they carry on with their lives without each other. Although, they still meet from time to time because of the divorce process and simply because they belong in the same circle of friends, the two has to endure the heartbreak of seeing each other move on from their past.Bold and unconventional, "Celeste and Jesse Forever" provides you a new look into the overused romantic comedy with a happy fairy tale ending. Not overly dramatic and only more subtle, this flick gives you a new perspective on the slow deterioration of romance between two people who once shared the same passion for each other. It's a movie about finding yourself once again after being part of unison and a shared mutual coexistence with another.The chemistry between Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg is undeniable and very believable. It probably helped being good friends even before making the film. Samberg's performance is surprisingly good after a string of comedy roles that made him famous. Jones, on the other hand, reminded me of Jennifer Lawrence's calibre in acting: very natural and immersed. Apart from the individual performances, one thing that carried the film is its soundtrack. Each song takes you on the journey of their separation, its ups and downs and its impending end. The script and overall direction has a mastered pacing and lets you bask in the atmosphere of each scene for enough periods to capture the right emotions. Kudos to Lee Toland Krieger on capturing the essence of the script and allowing it to naturally translate on screen. When you think about it, the film may actually end up being bland if it landed in the wrong hands.Celeste and Jesse Forever is a bittersweet look into love, its ending and new beginnings. Not the best film to watch for couples (especially those easily affected by films) as it may present questions in relationships.writelikesundance.wordpress.com

Rashida Jones & Andy Samberg are Celeste & Jesse. They are best friends who are getting divorced, except they want to stay friend.Ari Graynor & Eric Christian Olsen are their best friends Beth & Tucker who are getting married. They can't understand Celeste & Jesse's relationship. "It's weird." For most of this movie, everybody is annoying. Celeste is a know-it-all. Jesse is a slacker loser. The people they meet are all douche-bags and drug dealers, both friends & strangers. It is a whole hour of HELL watching this movie full of annoying self obsessed people.Emma Roberts is a pop princess Riley client of Celeste. At the beginning, she is yet another annoying character in the movie. However her character turns it around. She calls Celeste on her arrogance, "Contempt prior to investigation". This breaks Celeste down to her core, and she spirals down. Until Riley comes to her rescue again, this time commiserating over failed relationships.Riley is truly the big emotional catalyst. Only she needed to save this movie earlier. The "Contempt..." line comes 1 hour into the movie. Before that, it was stuck in emotional neutral. That's way too long.