Review: "Celeste and Jesse Forever"

As I try to do often, this week I went to the Bytowne Cinema to check out "Celeste and Jesse Forever", a film starring Rashida Jones (NBC's "The Office) and Andy Samberg (NBC's "Saturday Night Live"). This film is a romantic comedy, filled with heart and laughter.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Jones plays Celeste, a thirty-something woman who has a very successful career as a media consultant. She is separated from her husband Jesse and has decided to getting a divorce is the best thing to do. Celeste's life is sky-rocketing while Jesse is unemployed and living in the studio, behind Celeste's house.

The couple gets confronted by their friends, reminding them that it's weird that they are spending so much time together, although they are getting divorced. Both are content with how things are and they insist that they are still best friends. Essentially, nothing has really changed and both parties have yet to move on. Having been together since high school and married young, Jesse and Celeste are having a hard time making the transition from lovers to friends.

Then Jesse shares some really important/unexpected news and Celeste's world is shattered. She then struggles with the aftermath of her decision of getting a divorce and then tries to move on.

The film is funny but also deals with real issues and real questions. Does young love eventually fizzle away? Can you maintain the good parts of your relationship while getting rid of the bad parts? Is it possible to remain friends after breaking up?

Jones and Samberg are an on-screen couple made in heaven. Their actors' dynamic is fantastic and their chemistry is undeniable. You cannot help but fall for these characters and root for both of them. The film also stars Elijah Wood, Emma Watson and Will McCormmack, who co-wrote the film with Jones. All three actors do a brilliant job in their supporting roles. The script is funny, touching and very real. As an audience member, it is easy to relate to the story and to the characters.

Overall, "Celeste and Jesse Forever" is a film that is both funny and sad, as it deals with real issues that can hit close to home. I strongly recommend this film, as the performances are outstanding and the writing is fantastic. Definitely worth checking out!