“Will and I grew up with romantic comedies, but the ones we love are all about heartbreak,” says Rashida Jones, who co-wrote the screenplay with actor Will McCormack.
“Celeste and Jess Forever” is loosely based on the real life romance-turned-friendship between Jones and McCormack. “We wrote this movie side-by-side on one computer,” says McCormack.
The movie begins with the couple’s marriageunraveling. Celeste (Rashida Jones), a hard-working and successful businesswoman, is getting more and more aggravated with Jesse (Andy Samberg), who she’s been with “forever.” Jesse smokes a lot of pot, lazes about with dedication and is clearly going nowhere. Celeste decides she want a divorce. What complicates matters further is her goal that they remain best friends.
McCormack’s role in the film is Skillz, a stoner who brings much of the comic relief. Elijah Wood does a great job as Celeste’s gay co-worker confidante and Emma Roberts plays Riley, a Paris Hilton/Lindsay Lohan type. Ari Graynor is Beth, Celeste’s closest friend, and Beth’s husband Tucker is played by Eric Christian Olsen.
“Celeste is the high-powered career driver and Jesse is the passive guy who won’t grow up—all the makings of a cliché,” says Jones. “But the balance between them keeps shifting out of Celeste’s control.” Director Lee Toland Krieger chimes in, “Even in 2012, you rarely see an ambitious type-A woman onscreen who’s more than a caricature.” Producer Lee Nelson adds, “It was an absolute joy making this film. It was a very collaborative set with a very positive vibe.”
That feeling of friendship and enjoyment on set and on screen is due to the close connections of everyone involved with the movie.
Jones, the daughter of Peggy Lipton (The Mod Squad) and jazz great Quincy Jones, has been friends with Samberg since his early days of stand-up comedy in L.A. Jones has known producer Jennifer Todd since high school. Producers Suzanne and Jennifer Todd are sisters. Chris Messina (Paul) is Todd’s husband and Todd gave Will McCormack one of his first film roles. Oh, and just as an aside for anyone that didn’t know, Emma Roberts is Julia Roberts niece.
“Celeste and Jesse Forever” was an official selection at both Sundance Film Festival and Los Angeles Film Festival. This is the first screenplay for both Jones and McCormack.
Rated R. 91 minutes. Opens in New York City April 3, 2012.