You probably haven’t heard of this movie but if you like musicals or you’re a fan of Anna Kendrick — is there anyone who isn’t? — you should see if it’s playing near you.
The Last Five Years deconstructs — in song — the relationship between wanna-be actress Cathy (Kendrick) and wanna-be writer Jamie (Jeremy Jordan) from dating to marriage to divorce. Or, in Cathy’s case, from divorce to marriage to dating.
You see, what makes the movie so interesting is that the story is told from alternating his and her perspectives, with his going in chronological order and hers going backwards. Is there any deep meaning to that? I think there is, and we’ll get to that in a minute because that structure is fascinating — along with, of course, the fact that the whole tale is sung.
The movie begins with Cathy tearfully singing about the end of the couple’s marriage. Jamie has moved on but Cathy is “still hurting.” In the next scene, Jamie is delighting in their new love, admitting, “the minute I first met you, I could barely catch my breath.”
The only time their stories come together is when they get married, and then they each continue on their own path.
Although both have aspirations of stardom, Cathy is constantly struggling to find a part while Jamie finds himself the new darling of the publishing world. This, naturally, becomes a challenge to their relationship as Cathy realizes, “I tend to follow in his stride/instead of side by side.” And that’s why, to me, she keeps going back in time as he moves ahead. He’s on a trajectory forward, and all she can do is look back and try to see where it all went wrong.
One of the most powerful lines in the movie is when Jamie finally says, “I will not lose because you can not win.” This doesn’t make him a bad guy. It just makes him real.
And it’s also what makes the story work. You can’t place the blame for their break-up on either one of them. Sometimes marriages fail simply because the two people involved just end up on different paths.
Jordan, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in Newsies, is appealing as Jamie but the movie belongs to Kendrick. She’s hilarious singing about “A Summer in Ohio” while doing summer stock at a regional theater, she’s easy to relate to when she tries to reassure herself and Jamie, “See, you’re laughing/I’m smiling/We’re doing fine,” and she becomes every vulnerable, insecure woman when she stresses that “I’m up every morning at six/And standing in line/With two hundred girls/Who are younger and thinner than me/Who have already been to the gym.”
It’s no wonder that the soundtrack has developed a cult-like following since the show debuted off-Broadway in 2002. It’s got tunes that will stay with you, lyrics that mean something and it’s a universal story.
And now that it’s got Anna Kendrick, well, it’s pretty much pitch perfect.
I ‘ve been meaning to watch this but was wondering if its worth it. I will definitely be watching this weekend
Thanks for the great tip! I love musicals!
I love Anna Kendrick. I’m going to have to see this!
I love this actress from Pitch Perfect. Will have to keep my eyes open forit.
I have not heard of this show before. I will have to check it out.
I think I’d like to see this. I take it, it’s not confusing…or you’d have said.
I adore Anna Kendrick. I’ll be adding this to my must-see list. (I loved Newsies, too, so double reason to see this!) No, three reasons: I love musicals, too!
I’ll be keeping an eye out for this movie. I didn’t know anything about it before.
I’ve not heard of this movie before. I like the way the movie is told. I’m putting this in my movie queue
I absolutely loved several books that were told from alternating perspectives but the fact that one is in reverse is fascinating. I am now officially intrigued and will look for this movie! Great review!
I love musicals! I would love to see this!
I love Anna Kendrick! I think she is a wonderful actress.
I love Jeremy Jordan. I used to watch a show called Smash that he was on!
I’m normally not a fan of musicals, but this story line sounds so interesting I am definitely going to have to check this one out!
I can see why the soundtrack is a hit too. I like musicals and my husband and kids do too.
I have not heard of this. I will need to check it out.
Definitely putting this on my must see list! Anna Kendrick is awesome – so funny and real!
I’ll have to look out for it. Seems fun!
I love musicals! Now i need to convince the hubby to watch it with me!
I have never heard of this movie before! I love Anna Kendrick!
Is the whole movie sung?
Yes!
This sounds like a good movie. I love that it follows the couple in a different way. What a refreshing change of pace.
I haven’t heard of it. But I am a fan of her. I am only so so on musicals though, But it might be a fun movie to watch.
You’re right – I haven’t heard of this movie. I’ll have to keep an eye out for it locally.
I haven’t heard of this movie but it is something that I would love to see.
I have never seen or heard of this movie. Adding it to my must watch list. Sounds like a movie I would enjoy.
I love musical. Thanks for the review.
Anna Kendrick is beautiful. I love everything that she is in!
I love finding out about new musicals! Looks like something I would like to see.