Celeste and Jesse Forever

A movie about love without romance. A lewd comedy with moments of heartbreak.

This contrast somehow finds its place in “Celeste and Jesse Forever.”

The film shows the rise and fall of Celeste and Jesse, soulmates who can’t make it work. Empty of grand gestures of love, “Celeste and Jesse Forever” depicts the moment when you realize things aren’t going to have a happy ending.

Jones shines in her portrayal of the regretful Celeste who discovers a day too late that she doesn’t want to end her relationship with best friend Jesse.

Somehow, writers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack push through the sadness with laughter and having you leave the theater with a smile.

Instead of cross-country love and Empire State building proposals, today’s romance movies stir up a much different sentiment — relatability.

Celeste discovers this lesson along with all of us. Love doesn’t always include a chase through New York City to make that midnight New Year’s Eve kiss. Sometimes it never
comes.

By Christina Shelley