Director: Lee Toland Krieger
Cast: Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Elijah Wood
Running Time: 92 mins
Plot: A divorced couple struggle to juggle their close friendship with their new found singledom.
Rashida Jones, who portrays Celeste, co-wrote the script with her co-star, Will McCormack, who himself pulls off a charming turn as her effeminate stoner confidant, in what is an impressive debut screenplay. Krieger lets the story play quite simply, which helps to put you at ease, as the comedy derives from the characters, their relationships and their individual idiosyncrasies.
Andy Samberg, who plays Jesse, displays a surprisingly subtle side to his comedic capabilities, in what appears to be a successful bid to avoid the dreaded typecasting many actors are cursed with. This helps to make his relationship with Celeste feel distinctly real, and the duo succeed in lulling you into their world.
A couple of questionable plot lines do seem a little forced and superfluous, one being the PR firm Celeste works for allowing her to berate their latest, and most profitable client, on television. Whether it can be justified or not is immaterial, as the subplot ultimately plays out in an irrelevant and detractive manner.
Misgivings are to be expected from inexperienced writers, but they show more than enough potential to make up for it. They do not shy away from the painful realities of relationships, and avoid the trap of being facile with content, which is rarely the case with first-timers, and romantic comedies on the whole.
CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER is a different take on the ‘boy meets girl’ formula, that focuses on the difficult aftermath of a marriage without drifting too far from hilarity. The characters are more than engaging enough to carry you through the few tenuous narrative links, resulting in a smart and witty offering overall.
CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER is released Friday 7th December.
