Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Celeste and Jesse Forever: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Celeste and Jesse Forever was a highly praised indie romantic comedy last year but it has taken me all this time to finally watch it. Now that I've seen it, I can concur that it is a wonderful film that deserves to be seen by a much wider audience.

This movie is not your typical romcom. Rather than focusing on how Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) get together, it begins after the two of them have amicably decided to divorce. Despite months of "separation," they are still incredibly close, spending all of their time together, much to the frustration of their confused friends. Jesse still lives in the studio in Celeste's backyard and neither of them appears to have moved on romantically in their lives. They agree that their relationship was headed to a terrible place, but it's been great ever since they decided to get a divorce.

Of course, this idyllic situation cannot last for long and it quickly becomes apparent that Jesse isn't wholly invested in the idea of a separation. His career isn't going anywhere, while Celeste is a successful trend analyst who sees her life as being on track and therefore doesn't acknowledge what she might be doing to Jesse. However, a twist in the tale quickly reverses their respective positions and what follows is an in-depth exploration of what it takes to maintain a good relationship, whether it be with your ex-partner or your best friend.

Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg are charming and relatable throughout, perfectly portraying a pair of best friends who deeply love each other and just don't know how to move on. Jones co-wrote the screenplay with her friend Will McCormack, who appears in a supporting role. The supporting cast contains wonderful actors like Ari Graynor, Chris Messina, Elijah Wood, and Emma Roberts, who all add levity to the proceedings and ensure that the tone doesn't veer too far off into drama.

If the clever screenplay and great performances weren't enough, Celeste and Jesse Forever features a brilliant soundtrack with songs that pierce your soul and lift up your spirits. Director Lee Toland Krieger also composes some truly beautiful scenes throughout the movie, which will gladden your heart and make you feel like despite everything, life is a joyous celebration. So if you're looking for a realistic romcom that still gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling, this is the movie for you.

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