The Last Five Years [Blu-ray]

I was ready to be disappointed.I've loved this musical since the 10th grade. It represented, to a few of my fellow music nerds and me, the pinnacle of musical writing and design. I still idolize Norbert Leo Butz's rendition on the original album; Sherie Renee Scott is still The One Belter to Rule Them All. So the film had a bar to reach.I'll skip to the result (you've already seen the starts on this review): Kendrick and Jordan kill it. Their chemistry is some of the most genuine, enthralling and organic I've seen in quite a while. Both Kendrick's depression and elation are satisfyingly subtle and real. Jordan's character arc develops with a life I haven't before been able to appreciate as a stage play.Reading the reviews, some folks didn't intuitively get how the timeline in the movie works, and I can see where this criticism had some teeth. LaGravenese did use some subtle sign-posting but it's true that it wasn't entirely consistent. I'd be disingenuous to say it wasn't an issue as I long ago committed the entire thing to memory, but I really didn't notice an issue that would truly confuse a new viewer -- it felt, afterwards, more like something you pick when you need to come up with a critical note.The one small shadow of disappointment I had was that Kendrick chose to skip a particular glottal in "I can do better" that Scott had used in the original soundtrack. It's always been a moment of frisson for me, and I'd have liked to hear it here.But really, if you know the show be confident that this film adaptation satisfied a serious fan. If you've never seen / heard the musical before, get this now and watch it. I think you'll fall in love with it, too.

This is a musical in every sense of the word, probably 95% singing (more than I've seen in any other musical except France's "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"), even everyday sentences in some instances, though every single song is sung only by its two main stars (Anna Kendrick and/or Jeremy Jordan, as "Cathy" and "Jamie," respectively, with no backup singers or group singing) so first and foremost, you must be a fan of musicals and of Kendrick and Jordan for full effect. Without giving away too much, Cathy and Jamie sing about, well, the last 5 years in their relationship, though it's not always a storybook or fairy tale, not picture perfect, but therein lies its strength as being different and fresh, in a class by itself in many ways, not only as a film in general but also as a musical. The many New York sites, both indoors and outdoors, are also welcome embellishments to a lively and rewarding movie-going experience, though preteens may not go for it or, again, non-musical fans. Jordan ("Newsies") and Kendrick ("50/50") are enthusiastic, energetic, and engaging, especially the multi-talented Kendrick, who more than proves that she has the vocal stylings to go along with her already well-established acting talent, making an Oscar seem inevitable in her future.

To tell a story entirely in music while playing with time isn't something done easily but Jason Robert Brown gets the credit for this love story of a five year relationship in which her story moves backwards and his forward. They meet in the middle for the wedding and we know from the start how the story begins and ends. But this is a piece about character and that's what sustains this piece. Brown is a composer/lyricist of the highest calibre, managing to reach an emotional level that Sondheim does not. Jason Robert Brown is influenced by rock n roll piano men: Billy Joel, but better. Everything he writes has a different sound from this to the Tony Award winning "Parade", Broadway's best piece of theatre since 1998. Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan are actors first though their ability to sing is remarkable. Within five minutes we're not aware that it's all music and we're enraptured by the characters and seeing how each character copes with the implosion of their relationship. An emotional highlight is Jordan's "Nobody Needs to Know" in which the skill of writing and acting confuses us about fidelity. Whether or not you're into musical theatre, this is a good film. It's not for children but it will touch everyone who has been in love and had a break up.

Soaring, beautiful interesting music and complex lyrics tell a simple story in a beautiful, authentic way. Anna Kendrick's performance of the very first song will bring all but the most hardened to tears, and it's an emotional roller coaster from there. I didn't know anything about the show before renting this, but man I am so glad I did. I really don't get the complaints about Jeremy Jordan. He's handsome, he can sing, and he's a solid actor. Maybe not quite as nuanced as Kendrick, but man, totally respectable. The music is just gorgeous, the story engagingly told and honestly, I hope it finds a wider audience. Even my husband, who hates musicals, thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely worth seeing.

THis is a musical, very little dialog at all all songs and singing. This is the 5 year relationship of Anna Kendrick and aspiring actress and Jeremy Jordan a successful writer. I was confused by the timeline, when is this happening now. The story jumped all over the span of the 5 years. My take is is that she tries hard to be a success in the acting field and she isn't making it. He is a very successful writer. I felt she was very jealous of his success. Jeremy Jordan is teriffic he really is. he stands above and does a great job, so does Anna.

Not happy with this purchase. Due to circumstances beyond my control, only just got round to watching this after buying it 4 months ago. As it was advertised as new and came wrapped in cellophane, I had no reason to have any issues with it. I unwrap the cellophane and open the case to find a completely different DVD disc inside the case - a film I have never heard of and an 18 to boot. Not impressed at all. Will not be buying from them again - I've now wasted my money on something that I did not want.

I eatched his on Prime last night . I have never seen or heard of this musical before. I really love the songs, the concept and the chemistry between the leads. I immediately doenloaded the original soundtrack from Prime and have already started watching the film again this morning. The timeline is a little confusing but it does work and really adds to the sorrow/joy scenes as the characters play their opposite emotions. Thoroughly recommend this!

I tried watching this with my mum, you know, one of those many nights when nothing is on the TV but too early for bed..... she couldn't get into it at all, but I loved it, very cleverly done, and Jeremy Jordan is quite brilliant, and I don't think you need to say much about Anna Kendrick, her films are starting to sell themselves on her inclusion alone, that's certainly star power. Songs great, story maybe a little disjointed for me (that's probably why mum couldn't understand it), but a film well worth the watching.

very good thank you, will be recommending.

Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan at their best!!!a beautiful story of love, trust, betrayal and heartbreak with some lovely catchy tunes