Rom-com falls a little short

By ROGER MOORE
McCLATCHY NEWS SERVICE

Celeste of “Celeste & Jesse Forever” is a professional trend-watcher, someone who can size up people, ideas and “brands” based on demographic data and simple observation.

One trend she might pick up on is the one “Forever” represents. In a nation where divorce is commonplace, screenwriters are trying to reinvent the break-up. That was a driving force in Jennifer Westfeldt’s “Friends with Kids,” and with this summer’s “Ruby Sparks.”

And it’s the alpha and omega of “Celeste & Jesse,” a cute and wistful romance co-written by and starring Rashida Jones. She is Celeste, the over-organized, controlling professional woman who has been married, for six years, to artist/illustrator/surfer Jesse (Andy Samberg). They’re best friends, even though he’s an unambitious slacker, a guy who “doesn’t have a checking account, or dress shoes.” That’s why they’re getting a divorce. Sort of.

They still sing along to “their song.” They have “their gesture,” a little heart shape they make with their hands. They love talking mit zilly German accents, yah? And there’s this game they play with a tiny object that looks phallic.

So what gives?

Their friends — Air Graynor, Eric Christian Olsen, co-writer Will McCormack — may be puzzled, but not “C” and “J.” “It’s the perfect breakup!”

Ahh, but J is not quite over C. So he starts dating with a mind toward making her jealous. How’s that work out?

Jones and McCormack (who plays a pot-dealer pal), with Lee Toland Krieger directing their script, don’t so much dodge as finesse the obvious pitfalls in this set up. Yes, this is going to be a see-saw. He’s missing her, then she’s missing him. There’s code-language — “Come over and help me put together this IKEA furniture!” There’s “sex with the ex.” You crazy kids.