Rashida Jones often plays hilarious characters. In her first screenplay turned film, Celeste and Jesse Forever, Jones continues this tradition, starring as a woman who falls apart after her attempt to remain friends with her soon-to-be ex-husband goes awry.
Her character Celeste goes through a number of laughable experiences in the film, from being dry-humped on a first date to passing out on a blow-up raft at a friend’s wedding shower.
Though these scenarios may seem far-fetched, when we sat down with Jones recently to discuss the film, we found out that many of these moments came directly from her personal dating past.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW
“I’ve had some pretty low points,” Rashida laughed. “I’ve never done anything as outwardly embarrassing [as Celeste]. But, I think when you’re miserable and heartbroken it feels like everybody can see it; like you’re just a big, raw, embarrassing mess.”
Andy Samberg still silly despite serious role in Celeste and Jesse >>
One specific moment that rings true to real life is when Celeste winds up being dry-humped by a previously charming photojournalist in his hotel room at L.A.’s famed Chateau Marmont. Jones tells us that story was taken straight from her dating history.
“Yep, lucky me,” she told SheKnows. “I definitely had my bad date run. There are a lot of things that happened to me.”
But through it all, Jones has learned exactly how to deal with a breakup.
“You just have to be sad,” said Jones. “You have to live through it. You shouldn’t distract yourself or go do things to ‘keep busy’ because it will hit you even harder. I think you got to just sit in it, as much as it sucks.”
Rashida created the screenplay for Celeste and Jesse Forever with her writing partner, Will McCormack, who she actually dated briefly in the 90’s. The two maintain, however, that the movie is not about their personal relationship history.
Be sure to catch the movie in theaters today!