3.5 stars out of 5
Separately, I’ve been very worried about Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg. The writers on the otherwise totally charming Parks and Recreation seem to have no idea what to do with Rashida’s character, Ann Perkins. (“Ann Perkins!”) I keep fearing I’ll tune in one week and she’ll just be gone. And young Mr. Samberg took the bold step of leaving Saturday Night Live. But then his coming-out party was some crappy movie with Adam Sandler. I was worried Andy would soon wind up in a Ramada lounge somewhere doing endless white-boy rap spoofs.
I can rest easier after seeing Celeste and Jesse Forever. Ms. Jones plays Celeste and Mr. Samberg is Jesse. (Seems obvious, but never assume. I just learned last weekend that Johnny Depp did not portray Benny in Benny and Joon.) Both of them are terrific, and even more impressive, Jones co-wrote a pretty compelling script.
This isn’t quite a romantic comedy. Romantic dramedy, perhaps? Celeste and Jesse were high-school sweethearts whose six-year marriage has come to an end. But they can’t quite let go of each other, so they take a shot at friendship. We get a lot of food for thought here: moving on (or not), wishing the best for someone (or not), “growing up,” fear of solitude, regret, etc. There are laughs too, but they’re generally confined to characters’ natural behavior and not just for an easy joke.
Doing decent supporting work are Elijah Wood and Chris Messina (who is having a good year with The Newsroom, The Giant Mechanical Man, and this). We see Harry Crane for a minute or two. (Actor Rich Sommer would probably want me to mention that he was also in The Giant Mechanical Man.) Emma Roberts plays a clichéd teen pop star in a subplot that doesn’t really go anywhere.
But it all comes back to Jones and Samberg, and especially Jones. She really gives an excellent, multifaceted performance, and her script holds our attention and never goes off in an unbelievable direction. This is a small film, and it’s a good film.
Samberg taking that bold step, HELL YEAH that was bold. In fact, in my community college course, “Bravery in 2012,” we spent over a month discussing his SNL departure.
I’m sorry, that was a common man’s reaction. You might be writing for more of an entertainment business audience, for which Samberg’s decision is in fact dollars and cents “bold.”
—-Who is your audience?—- Do I fit the demographic? My Afghani co-worker?
Jack, I’m an idiot. I’m simply jealous of your fascinating life. Walk on. I won’t comment ever again, unless maybe if Boscoe chimes in. Hey, I loved that All White People Look The Same link.
Pshaw, you are very welcome here, good sir, and I hope you will continue to comment! True, it wasn’t that bold for Samberg to leave SNL: He had established himself on a national level for a distinctive style of humor (wide-eyed, dumb-on-purpose-so-it’s-actually-smart, pop-culture/hip-hop referencing nice guy). So, his contract was up and like many SNL vets before, he chased the gold ring of movie success while the proverbial iron was still proverbially hot. He stumbled out of the gate (though i genuinely enjoyed his previous attempt, Hot Rod, and not many did)–comedy is not pretty. I was a fan of his SNL work and his enthusiasm, so I was pleased to see his performance in this film. It takes the man-child character that he’s clearly very comfortable with, and forces him to grow up a little bit. It took Sandler nine films to reach that point (Punch-Drunk Love).
Only learned about “Benny and Joon” last week? Oh, the time lost!
That is a movie we should see more often on the cable channels–that and “The Commitments” and “Breaking Away” seem to have fallen off the radar.
How do I tell David I’ve never seen The Commitments? Think, man, think. “Fear of Commitments”?
I would overlook not having seen “The Commitments” if you have seen “Electric Dreams”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9foZ7KVSng
That sounds like a film worth seeing. Thank you.
Electric Dreams – I just mentioned that in an essay I wrote about the vidkid era of the 80s!
I remember when “Breaking Away” used to be on network TV all the time. That and that movie about Michael Landon wetting the bed. And the Bad News Bears. I only miss the Michael Landon bedwetting movie.
Not only have I seen Electric Dreams, but I only bought a Human League compilation that included that song!
Remember the Breaking Away TV series?
Bad News Bears was interesting for me because I was a bit too young for the first one (clearly the best of the series) but i was definitely in the theater for “Go to Japan” and i think “Breaking Training.”
Oh that bedwetting movie! The sheet, the sheet, the shame, the shame!! Am i hallucinating or did they show it to my class in middle school??
I don’t know about the Michael Landon bedwetting movie, what was it called?
Another great move worth seeing if you can find it: “Get Crazy.” The cast included Lou Reed and Bobby Sherman! And you know what? You probably wouldn’t get further than 3 degrees with either one of them playing “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.”
A 1976 TV movie written and directed by Landon, The Loneliest Runner (twas autobiographical):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpM71RDQUQk
will keep an eye out for Get Crazy!
How could I forget? Fabian also appears in “Get Crazy,” he and Bobby Sherman are evil henchmen.
“The sheet, the sheet, the shame, the shame!!”
Ha!