HIGH DEF UNIVERSE

Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) are high school sweethearts who married young, and are best friends.  Celeste is a successful writer and trend forecaster while Jesse is unemployed and still finding his way.  Celeste and Andy enjoy each others company, make each other laugh, share the same unusual sense of humor – and they are getting a divorce.  Their friends, don’t understand it but the couple is very happy with their situation.   Jesse lives in his backyard studio and the arrangement is working well at first. Jesse hopes that Celeste just needs some time and will reconsider their situation.  Celeste seems happy to be separated, but still close.

During their separation Jesse did venture out and sleep with a woman.  He didn't call her afterwards, but they run into each other in a bookstore.  As he introduces Celeste as a friend, it signals the beginning of the end for their marriage.  Jesse starts to work on a future with the new woman, as Celeste realizes that she doesn't want their marriage to end.  Finally, Jesse breaks the news that he needs Celeste to sign the divorce papers so he can remarry.  In the end, Celeste must figure out how to lose her husband without losing her best friend too.

"Saturday Night Live’s" Andy Samberg stars with Rashida Jones ("The Office," "Parks and Recreation:) in this unusual love story.  Andy Samberg’s acting was slightly better than I expected, but then again, I must admit, I can’t see the man do anything without thinking of him doing the “d@ck in a box” skit on "Saturday Night Live."   I have the same problem seeing Elijah Wood play Celeste’s friend and business partner, as his voice always makes me think of his role in The Lord of the Rings movies.  I didn't have that issue with Emma Roberts who plays Celeste’s spoiled teenage client well.  

The film was interesting, unique, and fairly well-acted overall.  For someone who loves to watch people suffer physically at the hands of vampires, zombies or serial killers, I've learned that I just don’t enjoy watching people’s emotional pain very much.  Celeste and Jesse was a decent movie but it’s not one I’m going to watch again.  For me, most of the joy of my movies comes from repeated viewings and this film just doesn't fit into that category.

Celeste and Jesse Forever is presented in 1080p high definition with a 2.40:1 ratio. As with the film in general, the video quality is very good, but not quite perfect.  Detail is very sharp with excellent facial and clothing textures.  Skin tones appear even and consistent and the picture is sharp enough to notice small details and black levels are solid and dark.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio presentation is certainly sufficient for a rom-com of this type. The dialogue is consistent throughout and club music isn't overwhelming.  As this is primarily a dialogue driven film, this isn't the type of film that makes use of all the channels on your surround sound system, but nonetheless this is a very good mix that works perfectly for this film.

The special features didn't thrill me that much and there's not a whole lot included on this disc.

If you’re looking for a traditional comedy, or something in the realm of things you would see on "Saturday Night Live," this isn't the film for you. It’s got a real independent feel to it and is better than I expected. Andy Samberg pulled of some decent acting. Celeste and Jesse Forever is one of those movies that reminds you that life is crappy. That may be a lot more realistic than a lot of the fluffy love stuff, but I don’t always want reality. It was a little strange to have the movie center around a couple that the viewer isn't sure whether to root for or not.  I’m starting to realize that I can count on a pretty good audio and video transfer when it comes to Sony Blu- rays, regardless of the content of the film or its box office ratings.

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