Britt: as much as I enjoyed Celeste and Jesse Forever, it is easy to write off the movie as a romantic comedy with weak characters.
Ursula: Sure, Rashida Jones as Celeste can be seen as the high-strung,
controlling female character who's got her life together but doesn't
know what she wants. And Andy Samberg as Jesse can be seen as the
sweet and adorable guy who never really grew up.
Kurt: Agreed. There has been a growing trend of intelligent "romantic
comedies" lately (Bridesmaids comes to mind), as much as that sounds
like an oxymoron. I'm not exactly sure if C & J fits that mold; it had
plenty of laughs, but it felt more grounded than other comedies I've
seen. It had more in common with Annie Hall than whatever crap Kate
Hudson's been in lately.
Glee?
Britt: KATE HUDSON HAS DONE NOTHING LATELY!!!! (Glee and Matt Bellamy excluded) At best, Rashida Jones' (gahhh) first venture into screenwriting was a minor success. A lot of times, I was reminded of a glitzier, richer Liz Lemon. Where's the ranch dressing?
Kurt: Oh, I agree. Definitely some Liz Lemon antics going on. Is it odd that those moments felt more real to me than they probably should? But I think it was well balanced with some very insightful scenes. Also, loved the rest of the cast, too: Ari Graynor, Elijah Wood (adorable!), Emma Roberts (was she one of those Disney/Nickelodeon kid stars?). Most times, I feel a movie is as good as its supporting cast.
NICOLE KIDMAN CAMEO REFERENCE HERE (did that happen????)
Britt: Emma Roberts to me made the movie as Ke$ha incarnate...who shows her
brain and soft side by the end. SPOILER ALERT
Ursula: I do appreciate the understated ending to this movie, which finds
Celeste not perfect, not having figured out what she wants, and not
moving in any direction in particular, but at least somewhat accepting
of herself and her life. There's no big moral to this story; I don't
think Rashida was trying to make a statement about women or love or
HOW TO MAKE IT WORK. It's just a portrait of the weird way that love
happens, and falls apart, sometimes. Real life is rarely formulaic,
and this film was an attempt to reflect the quiet chaos that most ofus deal with.
Britt: The film was very realistic (granted I don't believe any of us have quite the bank account of these characters, neo-yuppies) and I was relieved to see Jesse and Celeste did not (another spoiler alert) get together in the end. Instead though, they have some disputes, drift away and drift back. Despite the characters both being established adults, they are also firmly girl-child and man-child. Which says a lot about where our generation is right now, I think. So many characters in popular film and TV shows seem to follow this trend. And it's a trend rightly out there in society; I see it in myself and peers alike.
 |
| guess which is which? I'm John Ritter, you dummy! |
Starring Kurt, Britt and Ursula.
Britt: as much as I enjoyed Celeste and Jesse Forever, it is easy to write off the movie as a romantic comedy with weak characters.
 |
| love means never having 2 grow up |
Ursula: Sure, Rashida Jones as Celeste can be seen as the high-strung,
controlling female character who's got her life together but doesn't
know what she wants. And Andy Samberg as Jesse can be seen as the
sweet and adorable guy who never really grew up.
Kurt: Agreed. There has been a growing trend of intelligent "romantic
comedies" lately (Bridesmaids comes to mind), as much as that sounds
like an oxymoron. I'm not exactly sure if C & J fits that mold; it had
plenty of laughs, but it felt more grounded than other comedies I've
seen. It had more in common with Annie Hall than whatever crap Kate
Hudson's been in lately.
Britt: KATE HUDSON HAS DONE NOTHING LATELY!!!! (Glee and Matt Bellamy excluded) At best, Rashida Jones' (gahhh) first venture into screenwriting was a minor success. A lot of times, I was reminded of a glitzier, richer Liz Lemon. Where's the ranch dressing?
 |
| I love her. |
NICOLE KIDMAN CAMEO REFERENCE HERE (did that happen????)
Britt: Emma Roberts to me made the movie as Ke$ha incarnate...who shows her
brain and soft side by the end. SPOILER ALERT
Ursula: I do appreciate the understated ending to this movie, which finds
Celeste not perfect, not having figured out what she wants, and not
moving in any direction in particular, but at least somewhat accepting
of herself and her life. There's no big moral to this story; I don't
think Rashida was trying to make a statement about women or love or
HOW TO MAKE IT WORK. It's just a portrait of the weird way that love
happens, and falls apart, sometimes. Real life is rarely formulaic,
and this film was an attempt to reflect the quiet chaos that most ofus deal with.
Britt: The film was very realistic (granted I don't believe any of us have quite the bank account of these characters, neo-yuppies) and I was relieved to see Jesse and Celeste did not (another spoiler alert) get together in the end. Instead though, they have some disputes, drift away and drift back. Despite the characters both being established adults, they are also firmly girl-child and man-child. Which says a lot about where our generation is right now, I think. So many characters in popular film and TV shows seem to follow this trend. And it's a trend rightly out there in society; I see it in myself and peers alike.
~ ranch dressing ~
That being said, I don't think this movie deserved to be chewed up like it was by most critics.....it was a commendable first effort for the sublime Rashida Jones. Emma Roberts, I'm keeping my eye on you. Andy Samberg...tell Joanna Newsom I said hi. (p.s. I have a feeling that Andy and Joanna have a similar relationship as he did with the hot Belgian bitch. Veganzzz 4 lyfe!)
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