Not Divorced, Yet Still Together? Unpacking Modern Romance Trends in America

< Celeste & Jesse Forever Story >

Celeste and Jesse met in college and got married. Celeste, a career woman, enjoys a fulfilling life, while Jesse is an aspiring artist living at his own pace. Unable to tolerate his sloppiness, Celeste decides to divorce him. To remain best friends forever, they continue to live together even after deciding to divorce. However, an event involving Jesse takes their relationship in an unexpected direction.

──What inspired the screenplay for "Celeste & Jesse Forever"?

Many scenes are inspired by my own experiences, but I also drew from friends' stories. I have many couples around me who have been in a relationship like Celeste and Jesse's, and few of them managed to sustain it. I think it's a reflection of modern relationships.

──What do you think about the relationship between Celeste and Jesse, being like best friends on the verge of divorce?

I think many people choose marriage with the resolve to "walk through life with this person." As they grow together, they start to change in different directions, their ways of thinking diverge, and they can no longer be a couple. But they can't easily let go of someone who was like family, so they find a new relationship where they remain best friends even after abandoning the marital bond. Ultimately, though, it just hurts each other. I believe you can't repair a relationship that's gone off track without truly separating for a while.

──Do you think divorced couples can become friends?

Perhaps, if they have time and distance, and both meet new people, there might be a possibility. But I don't think it's possible to transition to friendship immediately after a divorce.




──There was a scene in the movie where the characters strictly judged their own and others' actions as "right" or "wrong." What message were you trying to convey?

That's one of the major themes. In the film, Paul, whom Celeste meets, asks her, "Do you want to be true to yourself? Or do you want to be happy?" Celeste had always believed that living correctly and authentically would lead to happiness, but in reality, I think that correctness can hinder happiness.

──Do you think your personality is similar to Celeste's?

Sadly, yes. I'm not as difficult as Celeste, but I used to be fixated on the correctness of things. I think it's part of growing up, but as I've gotten older, I've become less concerned with other people's actions.







──Could you tell us about your own romantic experiences?

I've never been divorced, but I did break off an engagement, which was very painful. We still loved each other, but our timing was off. Celeste and Jesse are also affected by timing; they both had lingering feelings for each other at different times. It's all about timing.

──What was a memorable scene for you in "Celeste & Jesse Forever"?

The scene where Celeste and Jesse argue outside the bar. Andy Samberg, who plays Jesse, and I have been friends for a long time, and we've never argued so intensely with each other, either as actors or as friends. I felt I had to go all out to portray it realistically. The filming was heartbreakingly sad, but as an actor, it was a valuable experience, and I'm proud of the performance I gave.

──In the movie, Celeste and Jesse always made a gesture like crossing their arms when they said goodbye. Whose idea was that?

It was Will's and mine. We wanted something like a secret code or an inside joke between Celeste and Jesse, so we came up with this gesture. They've known each other since college, and they continue to do silly things they did when they were younger, even as adults. It's a metaphor for a relationship that hasn't grown since their teenage years.




──Did you participate in the music production for the film?

My nephew, Sunny Levine, and his partner, Zacherie Cowie, were in charge of the music production. It's important to use music that reflects the characters' emotions. The music in independent films, in particular, often has a strong sense of the era, which can limit the film. We aimed to create a soundtrack for "Celeste & Jesse Forever" that people would want to listen to at any time.

──The insert song "Retreest Things" is by Lily Allen, isn't it?

Actually, it was produced by my ex-fiancé (Mark Ronson), and it's a song I've always loved. We're friends now, but I feel that song conveys the protagonist's emotions.

──What was the most challenging part of writing the screenplay?

The hardest part was "not over-explaining." I believe the audience can understand without everything being spelled out, so I repeatedly revised the script and cut scenes while trusting that they would get it.

──Do you want to continue writing screenplays?

Yes, I do. Writing screenplays seems like it will occupy a large part of my work. For my next project, I'd like to focus on family rather than a love story. Will, who co-wrote this script with me, and I are working on something else, so I hope we can create a new work soon.