Celeste & Jesse Forever (2012)

Director:

Lee Toland Krieger

Writers:

Rashida Jones (screenplay)
Will McCormack (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 August 2012 (Taiwan)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A loved story.

Plot:

A divorcing couple tries to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people.

Plot Keywords:

Best Friends | Friendship | Relationships | Single | Awkwardness

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Rashida Jones	...	Celeste
Andy Samberg	...	Jesse
Ari Graynor	...	Beth
Eric Christian Olsen	...	Tucker
Rob Huebel	...	Business Man
Elijah Wood	...	Scott
Shira Lazar	...	Herself
Will McCormack	...	Skillz
Kate Krieger	...	Yogurt Girl
Matthias Steiner	...	Himself
Andreas Beckett	...	German Announcer
Chris Messina	...	Paul
Rebecca Dayan	...	Veronica
Emma Roberts	...	Riley
Janel Parrish	...	Savannah
Rich Sommer	...	Max
Jessica Joffe	...	Saleswoman
Rafi Gavron	...	Rupert
Chris Pine	...	Mystery Buddy
Matthew Del Negro	...	Nick
Zoë Hall	...	Waitress
Lenny Jacobson	...	Peter Pan
Chris D'Elia	...	Snow White
Sarah Haskins	...	Parent
Lauren Sanchez	...	News Reporter
Ashli Dowling	...	Bartender
Willy Mac	...	Bear
Robert Kya-Hill	...	Priest
Amanda MacLachlan	...	Bridesmaid
Jordan Reid	...	Bridesmaid
Joel Michaely	...	Gay Man #1
Philip Pavel	...	Gay Man #2
Louisa Kendrick	...	Celeste's Lawyer
Jason Antoon	...	Young Man
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Karen Dyer	...	Fire Dancer
Shannon Hartman	...	Wedding Guest - Dancer
Kim Mahair	...	Yoga Instructor
Jessica Mathis	...	Party Mermaid
Mason Sharrow	...	Cafe Patron
Jordan Berkow	...	Bridesmaid (uncredited)
Kaitlyn Bouchard	...	Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Jesse Dufault	...	Wedding Guest - Dancer (uncredited)
Sommer Fehmel	...	Fashion House Staff (uncredited)
Kimmie Johnson	...	Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Sun Jae Kim	...	Office Clerk (uncredited)
John Joseph Lindsey	...	Wedding Ceremony / Party Guest (uncredited)
Cristina Moody	...	Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Patrick Pedraza	...	Pat (uncredited)
Susan T. Travers	...	Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Sarah Wright	...	Bridesmaid (uncredited)

Directed by
Lee Toland Krieger

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Rashida Jones		screenplay
Will McCormack		screenplay

Produced by
David Buelow	....	co-producer
Sheri Davani	....	associate producer
Kevin Scott Frakes	....	executive producer
David Grace	....	co-producer
David Grace	....	line producer
Rashida Jones	....	executive producer
Lee Nelson	....	producer
Raj Brinder Singh	....	co-executive producer
Noah Stahl	....	associate producer
Jennifer Todd	....	producer
Suzanne Todd	....	producer

Original Music by
Zach Cowie
Sunny Levine

Cinematography by
David Lanzenberg

Film Editing by
Yana Gorskaya

Casting by
Angela Demo
Barbara J. McCarthy		(as Barbara McCarthy)

Production Design by
Ian Phillips

Art Direction by
Joseph Oxford

Costume Design by
Julia Caston

Makeup Department
Allison Barbera	....	makeup artist: Rhode Island unit
Rob Fitz	....	key makeup artist: Rhode Island unit
Laura Leppanen	....	makeup artist
Julia Papworth	....	department head: hair
Shayna Passaretti	....	hair stylist: Rhode Island unit
Keri Anne Shea	....	key hair stylist: Rhode Island unit
Karen Toole-Rentrop	....	key makeup artist
Teresa Vest	....	makeup department head
Jose Zamora	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Nicholas Delmenico	....	unit production manager: Rhode Island

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Anthony Ambrosino	....	key second assistant director: Rhode Island
Ronn Burner	....	second assistant director: day player
Sheri Davani	....	first assistant director
Stephenie Galvan	....	key second assistant director
Patrick Miller	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
JoAnne M. Ando	....	on-set dresser
James J. Burke	....	additional logo design
Bryan Carberry	....	graphic artist
Michelle Daniels	....	assistant props
Keri Dillard Ambrosino	....	art director: Rhode Island unit
Peter Anthony Escartin	....	art department assistant
Catherine Marshall	....	property master: Rhode Island unit
Carlton Rude	....	property master
Nathan Shorte	....	art production assistant: Rhode Island unit

Sound Department
David Barber	....	sound re-recording mixer
David Barber	....	supervising sound editor
Eric Branting	....	sound mixer: Rhode Island unit
Sean Byrnes	....	sound utility
Mary Jo Devenney	....	sound mixer
John Gage	....	boom operator: Rhode Island unit
Sean Gray	....	sound designer
Sean Gray	....	sound effects editor
David Kitchens	....	sound supervisor
Mark Leone	....	sound utility
Matthew Nicolay	....	sound mixer
Keith Sasser	....	utility sound
Stacey A. Washer	....	boom operator

Stunts
Natalie Padilla	....	stunt double: Rashida Jones

Camera and Electrical Department
Joseph Aguirre	....	camera operator
Matt Baker	....	camera operator
Nolan Ball	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera, Rhode Island unit
Walter Bithell	....	gaffer
Chris Brown	....	electrician: Rhode Island unit
Chris Brown	....	grip: Rhode Island unit
Paul Bulgin	....	key grip: Rhode Island
Robert Bullard	....	first assistant camera: Rhode Island Unit
Nicholas Bupp	....	best boy electric
Bryan Carberry	....	still photographer
Corey Cooper	....	camera intern
Lucas Deans	....	first assistant camera
Will Dearborn	....	first assistant camera
Paul Dickover	....	electrician
Jamie Hawkins	....	still photographer: second unit
Ryan Hogue	....	camera intern
Julie Hotz	....	digital imaging technician
David Isern	....	additional b-camera operator
David Isern	....	additional steadicam operator
Axel Lanzenberg	....	electrician
Jordan McNeile	....	camera trainee
Brandon J. Meadows	....	gaffer: Rhode Island
David Moir	....	still photographer
Justyn Moro	....	data tech
Brian O'Connor	....	grip: Rhode Island
Jessica Ramos	....	"a" second assistant camera
Seva Shybkou	....	camera operator: behind the scenes
Brian Udoff	....	additional loader

Casting Department
Matthew Avento	....	casting assistant
Shyree Mezick	....	casting assistant
Debe Waisman	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kathleen Bebeau	....	set costumer: Rhode Island unit
Jamie Redwood	....	assistant costume designer (as Jamie Bresnan)
Joy Thibodeau	....	seamstress: Rhode Island unit

Editorial Department
Logan Hefflefinger	....	additional editor
Gregory Hobson	....	additional editor
Jonathan Melin	....	assistant editor
Harry Muller	....	color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Jonathan Hafter	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Mark Allison	....	production assistant: Rhode Island Unit
Cameron Arguelles	....	quality control
Kaitlyn Bouchard	....	office production assistant: Rhode Island unit
Erika Canchola	....	production attorney
Bryan Carberry	....	assistant: Lee Toland Krieger
Darrin Cummings	....	key assistant location manager
Matthew Delisle	....	production assistant: Rhode Island unit
Kristin Dewey	....	supervising location manager
Audra Duval	....	set location production assistant: Rhode Island unit
Christopher Galasso	....	production assistant
Ben Gammell	....	production assistant: Rhode Island Unit
Jennifer Gray	....	production attorney
Brittany Hapner	....	assistant to jennifer todd
Mongkol Keo	....	production assistant
Madison Lacerte	....	production secretary
Erik Anders Lang	....	epk producer
Elizabeth Meza	....	production assistant
Kevin J. Miller	....	production assistant (as Kevin Miller)
Erica Mills	....	production coordinator: Rhode Island unit
Apryl Parker	....	craft service: Rhode Island unit
Athena Pesante	....	production coordinator
Elsa Ramo	....	production attorney
Bruce Resnik	....	script supervisor
Joseph Riccitelli	....	production assistant: Rhode Island unit
Tommy Ruth	....	production assistant: Rhode Island unit
Lare Alexander Short	....	production assistant
David Tish	....	production executive
Maria Tonry	....	production assistant: Rhode Island
Michael Zamboni	....	location manager

Thanks
Craig Alpert	....	thanks
Quincy Jones	....	thanks
Rena Ronson	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Envision Media Arts
• Team Todd
• PalmStar Entertainment (in association with)

Distributors

• Cathay-Keris Films (2012) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• DCM Film Distribution (2013) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Klock Worx Company, The (2013) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Mongrel Media (2012) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Pioneer Films (2012) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Classics (2012) (USA) (theatrical)
• Tanweer Group (2012) (India) (theatrical)
• Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (2012) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Eagle Films (2012) (Non-USA) (all media) (Middle East)
• Golden Scene (2013) (Hong Kong) (DVD)
• Golden Scene (2013) (Hong Kong) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Mongkol Major (2013) (Thailand) (all media)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2013) (USA) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2013) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Bangladesh) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Bhutan) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (India) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Nepal) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Pakistan) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2012) (Sri Lanka) (all media)
• Zon Audiovisuais (2013) (Portugal) (all media)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Company 3  digital intermediate
• Dolby Laboratories  sound mix
• Juniper Post  sound post-production (as Audio Post)
• Ramo Law PC  legal services (as Law Offices of Elsa Ramo)
• Sessions Payroll Management  extras payroll services
• Walking City Production Rentals  star trailers

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexual content and drug use

Runtime:

USA:92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #47659) | UK:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Ireland:15A | Hong Kong:IIB | Australia:MA15+ | Japan:PG12 | Germany:o.Al. | Portugal:M/12

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Envision Media Arts

Goofs:

Continuity: Celeste's bangs (hairstyle) noticeably change between several takes.

Quotes:

Jesse:Nailed that divorce.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.164" (2012)

Soundtrack:

Can't You Tell

Authentic and surprising movie dealing with relationships and heartbreaks

¨At last love wins. You guys are lucky to be best friends.¨

Celeste and Jesse Forever is an authentic romantic comedy directed by Lee Toland Krieger (winner of the Independent Spirit Award in 2010 for the screenplay of The Vicious Kind) and written by first timers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. They are mostly known for their acting abilities, but they did receive an Independent Spirit nomination for their collaboration in this screenplay. Rashida Jones also stars in this film and McCormack has a supporting role as well. The story feels real and authentic and despite the fact that it stars Andy Samberg this is not as much as a comedy as it is a romantic drama. This is a very different role than what Samberg has us used to and he gives a very convincing performance alongside Rashida Jones who really delivers here. This may be her best performance to date. What I enjoyed most about their characters is that they were deeply flawed and vulnerable towards each other, but despite that they still managed to be really likable. I thought it was a very honest portrayal about two best friends who fall in love with each other at a very young age and have problems making the transition to adulthood together. In a way this is a very different romantic comedy since it begins sort of upside down with the romantic montage at the beginning of the movie and the disintegration of their relationship from then on. I really was surprised with the opening of the film since I really didn't know what this movie was about. The movie transitions nicely from being serious at times to being more playful at others, but it's all handled in a very authentic and believable way.

The movie begins with a romantic montage between Jesse (Andy Sandberg) and Celeste (Rashida Jones), two best friends in love with each other with a nice indie soundtrack in the background. When the story begins we are surprised to discover that the two friends aren't actually in a relationship anymore, since they have been separated for 6 months and are planning on getting divorced after six years of marriage. You wouldn't know that if you were an outsider because the couple seems to get along with each other perfectly. Jesse and Celeste remain close friends and spend almost all day talking to each other. Jesse also happens to be living in Celeste's guest house as he is currently unemployed and seems to be a bit of a slacker. Celeste on the other hand is a successful trend forecaster who has recently written a book on the matter. It seems that the main issue between them during their marriage was that Jesse was a little too childish and irresponsible. Anyway, they seem to get along better now as friends. They spend a lot of time with their friends, Beth (Ari Graynor) and Tucker (Eric Christian Olsen) who are engaged, and think that the two should work out their issues. Celeste is currently working for an important client, a pop artist sensation named Riley (Emma Roberts), along with her partner Scott (Elijah Wood). Their friendship is put to the test when Jesse begins dating another woman and Celeste struggles to let go of feelings she thought weren't there anymore.

I really enjoyed this film because it tackled the issues of best friends and breakup in a very authentic and real way. Rashida Jones gives a strong performance although she did go a little over the top with her reaction over Jesse dating someone else. She plays this character that thinks is so successful and smarter than everyone else. That is basically what hurt her relationship with Jesse since she considers him a slacker who seems to be heading nowhere with his life. She feels like Jesse is too immature for her, but at the same time that is what she loves about him because when the two are together they do a lot of childish things together. Their relationship is complicated, and the film depicts it in a very authentic way. This is an enjoyable indie romantic drama that is definitely worth your time. Rashida Jones should get some stronger roles offered her way because she's a talented actress and proved here that she can carry a movie. This is a strong emotional film that will leave you with a smile on your face and at the same time a sense of nostalgia. I agree with Mary Pols from TIME magazine where she said ¨I'd rather watch five divorce movies like this than one more featuring Katherine Heigl getting married.¨ Break up can be really hard and this movie shows it in an authentic way.

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