The Last 5 Years

Not your typical musical like on stage, per say. Last Five Years tells you the story of this couple to which their marriage lasted for five years and the reason I said this within my review before you had a chance to see it, is because is one of those movies, where you are going to know the ending of it within the first five minutes of the movies anyway!.It is one of those films that starts from the end and then they go back in time as to how they got there. There are mostly just two actors through the whole film Anna Hendrix and Jeremy Jordan. What first attracted me to this film, is the fact that I love the way Anna Hendrix sings, I believe she has a very strong talent as an actress as well as a singer and it was because of her I proceeded to watch it, as there are not that many musicals I care to see. Jeremy Michael Jordan is an American actor and singer. He has performed on Broadway and in television and film, as well as in other theatrical productions, and is the first time I heard of him, but I have to say he's pretty good.At no time during the movie, than maybe 5 minutes here and there all together, do they actually "talk". it is carrying conversations and feelings all thru the movie so there isn't a specific song per say, that you would come to remember days or months later, like those in "sound of music" and 'Mary Poppins', to mention a couple.There are certain parts during those conversations while singing of course, that you will find some laughter as to the words she uses in one of those parts, which I will not spoil to you and will likely to catch you by surprise and make you smile. there are some profanities in the singing and some scenes where the act of a sexual scene is just that, they don't at any time show you any nudity or go thru with the act itself.This was no academy award film, but it sure is different that most you have seen in the past and I didn't mind dedicating bit less than two hours to it of my time.Good singing, direction and script while this film was actually an adaptation of a stage musical and unlike some of the other reviews listed where it mentions "do not recommend watching it unless you have seen the stage musical before", I don't believe that is the case, I never saw the stage musical and I thought it to be very good indeed as a film production as I believe you will enjoy just the same. (key thing is, "as long as you like musicals")

I adore Anna Kendrick and this is worth seeing once for her performance. However, the songs have that random, arbitrary quality that I dislike in a lot of musicals. Songs with no chorus, no rhyming, melodies that seem to meander around with no discernible pattern..... There is one terrific song when she is singing to her guy about yet another ridiculous summer in Ohio summer stock theater, but I didn't like most of the rest.Also, even though I knew going in that this would be told both forwards and backwards, I found it hard to follow the timeline(s).

L5Y was always kind of an odd choice for a movie (the show itself is just two actors, and they're almost never onstage at the same time, usually accompanied by very minimal tech) and putting a movie star and a Newsie together certainly raised some eyebrows--but honestly, this adaptation is pretty solid. Thankfully, there's no gratuitous added dialogue (I'm looking at you, RENT movie) so the film is still pretty short and the story is kept to the songs. Though some of the initial clips released suggested the settings for the songs might be kind of weird (we were all a little freaked out about the car scene when it first came out, I know) the film actually provides really great context for a lot of the numbers; 'A Part of That' in particular stands out as making sense in a way it often doesn't when it's done live, which is pretty cool to see. Both actors are generally adorable and sing beautifully, and honestly, so long as you say all the right words in the right order and sing on key, this show is beautiful and devastating no matter what; the source material is so strong that it is almost impossible to do poorly, but in the hands of talented people, it is a very successful venture. Everybody at my house was in tears when we screened it, and most of the room was deeply familiar with the original show and knew what was coming; to have a house of mostly theatre nerds really enjoying a stage-to-film adaptation is a pretty rare thing (we're picky about musicals getting picked apart by Hollywood, so we get pretty stoked when somebody does it justice.) The two people who weren't familiar with the original were still very impressed and equally devastated, so any non-theatre people who are curious about it should give it a try. Just don't plan on having to do anything for a while afterward, because it will absolutely wipe the floor with your emotions.

If you have ever seen this show live, don't bother. If you haven't seen the brilliant show live, don't watch this, thinking it is anything like the show, as it would spoil your anticipation of it.This is one of the most moving shows I have ever seen live. The film just doesn't cut it, mainly because the live show displays so much of the internal angst and workings of the minds of the two central characters. The film takes you off in all directions, so that you are removed from the characters and their emotional "inner" lives.Anna Kendrick is too glamorous - the female lead should be ever so slightly "frumpy" - she is an actress, who hasn't made it and that is crucial to the plot. The male lead was a bit too handsome also. He should be quite gorgeous in a New York, charismatic Jewish-boy-made-good way, but is perhaps not "working class" enough in the film - a bit one dimensional. This is neither of the actors' faults, but is just down to the fact that this doesn't play out as a film. It is meant for stage and only really works on stage.On stage it is the most amazing piece written - the songs are great, the concept is great - going back in time for her and going forward in time for him, but this just doesn't come across in the film. Try to see it live, before you see the film, not the other way round. You could be fooled into thinking this was just a cheesy love story with irritating music, which is everything it really is not!!! Go and see it live and take lots of tissues.

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 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.

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!

Amazing!I've never had the opportunity to see this on stage but I've been listening to the original soundtrack for years. There is always a worry that a stage musical won't transfer to film but this was so well planned and shot that this was never going to be a problem. Both Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan shine in their roles as Cathy and Jamie and I couldn't have imagined a better cast.