After dating for three weeks in the late 90’s, actors Rashida Jones and Will McCormack realized they were better suited as friends—and eventually, as writing partners.
After several failed attempts, they agreed upon an idea of Rashida’s that they both felt could be approached with honesty and a fresh take. What if a young married couple, who grew up together, realized they should get divorced but didn’t want to lose their friendship? Is it possible to stay friends after separating? Can you preserve the best parts of a relationship without taking time to process the worst parts? Can you love someone to the moon and back but still not be ‘right’ for each other?
The result is the surprisingly smart, snazzy, snappy, non sentimental reverse rom com, CELESTE & JESSE FOREVER (MA).
Far superior to the recent spate of fuck buddy pictures, CELESTE & JESSE FOREVER teams Jones and Andy Samburg as the titular couple and there is a lovely chemistry between the two.
She’s an alpha female, he’s happy to go with the flow, but her biological clock is ticking and she wants the father of her children to at least own a car.
There’s a marvelous supporting cast wrapped around this perky picture including co writer McCormack who pops up as stoner advisor to both the leads offering all kind of comforts, creature and chemical, for the recent residents of Splitsville, destination divorce.
As Celeste’s current client, bad girl pop star Riley, Emma Roberts’s sulky stoner is the antithesis of Celeste’s uber-functional know-it-all, and ramps up the yuks and the pathos.
(c) Richard Cotter
28th November, 2012
Tags: Sydney Movie Reviews- CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER, Sydney Arts Guide, Richard Cotter