May I Recommend: A Swim Lesson

Take 20 minutes today, I promise it's worth it

In 2012, for some reason that is a bit unclear to me, I was really aware of and excited for the movie Celeste and Jesse Forever. I have a longstanding girl crush on Rashida Jones— I think she is incredibly smart and talented (it also goes without saying, she’s otherworldly stunning). Still, I’m not totally sure why I was so tapped into this movie and eager for its premiere. I was living at home the summer before my freshman year of college, and I somehow heard about a screening of the movie accompanied by a Q&A with the movie’s stars and writers. I convinced my high school boyfriend to drive us to LA to attend. It’s weird to think about pre-social media days, I truly wonder how I knew about this event?

We arrived at the now defunct Landmark Theater on Pico Boulevard and watched the movie. I don’t remember the space being packed, but I vividly remember Rashida wore really big, black reading glasses and an orange sweater (I remember because I was also wearing an orange sweater at the time and was thrilled we were coordinating). She came out with her co-writer, Will McCormack, and they were asked questions by a moderator. I don’t recall too much about what was said, but I just loved it. I loved being in Los Angeles, and I loved listening to people talk about making movies.

I begged my boyfriend to drive us past the Chateau Marmont on the way home, a very out of the way request in hindsight but I didn’t know Los Angeles super well yet. It was summer, it was hot, I was entering my lifelong Lana Del Rey obsession, and I remember the telephone lines above me were indeed sizzling like a snare while we sat in traffic inching down Santa Monica Boulevard. Everything was exciting.

A few months ago, I saw Will and Rashida had teamed up again, this time on a short documentary. Everything I was reading about it sounded charming, and I was thrilled when it became available for free on PBS. My husband and I watched one night a few weeks ago and we were both so moved.

I really haven’t been able to stop thinking about it! When I found myself watching a Zoom conversation moderated by Amy Poehler with Rashida, Will and Bill Marsh (the subject and swim teacher of the doc), I was reminded of my journey to The Landmark many moons ago. I was thinking how cool it is to have a career in the arts— how winding and ever-changing it can be. How special that Will and Rashida have remained close friends and collaborators all these years?

So I guess this is a two part recommendation! If you want to watch a romantic dramedy starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg, go watch Celeste and Jesse Forever. It captures a Los Angeles that I don’t think really exists anymore, but it’s exactly how I like to remember it.

And then I really think you should watch A Swim Lesson. It’s 20 minutes, it'll probably be nominated for an Oscar, and I promise it will leave you feeling incredible. Below is the Youtube link, but I do recommend watching here on PBS so you don’t mess with the flow of the short with ad breaks. If you’re a parent, if you’re an artist, if you’re just feeling a little bleh— it’s a beautiful dose of hope and inspiration.

I think Rashida and Will did an incredible job directing this piece. The music, the visuals, the sound design— it’s all so, so good. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and maybe you’ll want to watch the conversation with Amy Poehler for a little deeper dive.

Let me know if you watch it! I’d love to talk about it with you.