Movie: Celese And Jesse Forever
Rating:

I am not the biggest fan of rom-coms. To me, a movie has to be more than just kinda-sorta funny and at least somewhat realistically romantic for me to be into it – whether that is through an ensemble cast like my beloved Love Actually, a really sharp script like Bridgit Jones Diary, a unique sub-plot like Lars and the Real Girl, or anything starring Jason Segal or Paul Rudd (or both!)

Celeste and Jesse Forever could very easily fall into the category of “rom-com worth your time.” The movie stars Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg as Celeste and Jesse – a “together since high school” couple who marry young and then divorce. But they manage to stay best friends.  Their friends are baffled by it and hate it but it works for them – as these things sometimes do. Love is funny like that.

But like all good things, it has to come to an end sometime. Someone has to be the first one to move on into a new relationship. And in this case, it is Jesse (mega props to Andy Samberg for not playing a complete goon for once and letting his adorableness and actual talent shine through). The movie follows as Celeste tries to deal with the reality of being friends with an ex – i.e. seeing that person happy with someone new.

There is a terrific supporting cast – Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts, Ari Graynor (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, What’s Your Number), Eric Christian Olsen (Not Another Teen Movie). Rashida Jones co-wrote the script. Everything comes together perfectly – a mix of sweet and sad, funny and heartbreaking.  If I had to compare it to something, it would probably Dan in Real Life – which was equal parts of all those things.