CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER

US, 2012, 93 minutes, Colour.
Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Ari Graynor, Eric Christian Olsson, Elijah Wood, Chris Messina.
Directed by Lee Toland Krieger.

Celeste and Jesse Forever has the perennial theme of falling in love, conflicts, falling out of love and the possibilities of recuperating love.

Rashida Jones is attractive as Celeste. Andy Samberg has made his name as a comedian, often with Adam Sandler. There is an interesting supporting cast including Elijah Wood.
The interest and appeal of the film is in the two central characters, the initial encounters, the years of their being together, the challenges to each of them and their characters, the making of new friends, and, especially, a wedding at the end which bring some realisation of what has happened.


1. A romantic comedy? A film for young adults? Their identifying with the characters and their situations? Love, commitments? Professions and jobs?

2. Los Angeles settings? Middle class and affluent cities? The musical score?

3. Celeste, as a person, character, her past? When she was young, love, marriage? The six years and her life with Jesse? The quality of their relationship? Changing? His being laid-back? Her being ambitious? The job? Her work with Riley, the campaign? Her achievement?

4. Jesse, his age, experience, not so ambitious, more at ease with life? His falling in love with Celeste, the marriage, his not putting the effort into the marriage, the six years, Celeste falling out of love with him? The consequences for him?

5. Beth and Tucker, their friendship, characters, meals, the discussions and advice? Their rebuking both Celeste and Jesse?

6. Celeste, taking notice of the advice, with Jesse, the night together, her regrets, Celeste and her trip?

7. Jesse, Veronica, from Belgium, wanting to stay in America? Her pregnancy? Celeste’s reaction, dating, her being upset with Jesse? Jesse and the advice from Stiltz?

8. Celeste and her meeting with Paul, the yoga classes, the dates, breakup?

9. Jesse, Veronica, permissions, the importance of getting a divorce? Celeste’s bad reaction?

10. The subplot with Riley, age, talent, singing? The campaign? The realization of the phallic symbols? Celeste’s embarrassment? Riley happy, getting her a gay following?

11. Beth and Tucker, the wedding? Celeste and Jesse and the date? The agreement on the divorce? Celeste and her dating Paul again? Jesse and Veronica? The futures?

12. A wry comment on love, commitment, falling out of love, mistakes? Possibilities for starting again?