6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Celeste and Jesse met in high school, married young, and at 30, decide to get divorced but remain best friends while pursuing other relationships.
Starring: Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Emma Roberts, Ari Graynor, Chris MessinaRomance | 100% |
Comedy | 62% |
Drama | 2% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
We are separated and we are friends.
That pretty much sums it up, at least on the surface. But of course there's more to Celeste and Jesse than a one-line summation. Here's a
Romantic Comedy about a couple, er, ex-couple, er, scratch that, sort of ex-couple, but definitely best
friends that, after six years of marriage, has decided to call it quits but chosen to remain inseparably close -- close both in a physical,
non-romantic sense and in a more inward, emotionally-driven sense -- and maintaining most every status quo of their marital relationship
except for sharing the same bed at night. It's a story of how deeply held inward emotions are balanced against gut feelings, physical attraction,
disagreement, and peer pressure. It's a wannabe deep character study wrapped up in something of an offbeat comedic hip-and-happeing cutting-edge
modern narrative that won't appeal to all audiences but
that should at least strike a deeper chord considering its unusual premise and fair exploration thereof. Unfortunately, the movie doesn't always dig as
deeply as it should; it's seemingly content
to focus more on the superficial aspects of the relationship unless it's dramatically convenient to the contrary. Still, the picture offers a solid premise
that's fairly
executed, well acted, but not the most accessible-to-all-comers movie ever to hit theaters or home video shelves.
Friends...slowly drift apart...they give away their hearts...
Celeste and Jesse Forever's high definition transfer will satisfy viewers for quite a long time to come. Sony's Blu-ray presentation is, as expected, right up there with the best of them, delivering a clean and accurate image that does everything almost perfectly and nothing terribly. The image is crystal-clear and very well detailed. Facial and clothing textures are superb, well-defined down to the finest little nuance; check out Celeste's white sweater as seen in chapter twelve as a great example of the natural appearance of garments in the film. The image's standout clarity and attention to detail allow for crisp, accurate images in backgrounds both near and far from the frame. The color palette is striking and true, maybe just a hair dim at times but offering every shade with commendable precision and natural accuracy. Black levels are fine and flesh tones as they should be. Very slight banding creeps into a few shots, but noise is practically nonexistent, ditto other unwanted eyesores. Another release, another tip-top effort from Sony.
Celeste and Jesse Forever features the standard sort of RomCom/Drama DTS-HD Master 5.1 audio track. That is to say that it's technically proficient but sonically underwhelming in comparison to more aggressive soundtracks. Nevertheless, Sony's presentation acquits itself quite nicely. Music features centered vocals (rather scratchy in the opening tune, but deliberately so) and very clear, evenly and naturally spaced notes across the front portion of the listening area. A good, tight, natural bass line provides a natural body to the music. Bass does get a bit muddled and sloppy -- but deliberately so -- at some parties, notably in chapter nine and again in chapter fifteen. There's good little background ambience in several scenes, particularly at restaurants and at a wedding later in the movie. Dialogue is main component here, however; it plays clearly and accurately from the center with no hiccups in clarity or intelligibility. All in all, this is a rather forgettable track but one that carries out its duties as well as can be expected.
Celeste and Jesse Forever's supplemental package is dominated by the pair of commentary tracks, but not to be overlooked are deleted scenes
and a making-of.
Celeste and Jesse Forever shows potential but never quite finds a consistent rhythm or a greater dramatic purpose. The plot is ripe for a more balanced exploration but fails to march on beyond the superficial. The film is the antithesis in almost every way of the wonderful Hope Springs, that film about saving a long marriage, this one about giving up on a short one, that film a more calm and subtly funny experience, this one more hip and boisterous. They're two different films for two completely different stories and audiences, but a good comparative study in recent films dealing with failing marriages. Celeste and Jesse Forever still offers solid entertainment and quality performances, but it never captures the same magic of Hope Springs, nor does it fully deliver on a fascinating dynamic. Sony's Blu-ray release of Celeste and Jesse Forever features tip-top video and audio to go along with a good assortment of extras. Recommended to fans, worth a rental for those curious about the film.
1988
2016
2014
2011
2008
2009
2014
2014
2013
2013
Extended Cut
2008
2012
30th Anniversary Edition
1989
2011
2015
2013
35th Anniversary
1989
The F Word
2013
2014
Director's Cut | Special Edition
2006