Watch The Last 5 Years

The Last 5 Years is a musical romantic drama that tells the story of a couple's love affair from beginning to end and end to beginning. The movie is based on the popular musical of the same name by Jason Robert Brown. It stars Anna Kendrick as Cathy and Jeremy Jordan as Jamie, with Tamara Mintz in a supporting role. The movie starts with Cathy, an aspiring actress, singing a heartbreaking ballad about her recent break-up with Jamie, a successful novelist. The song sets the tone for the movie, which alternates between scenes of their relationship moving forwards and backwards in time. The movie mainly takes place in New York City.

The first song sung by Jamie is a joyous tribute to his relationship with Cathy, expressing his excitement at falling in love with her. The scene is a flashback to the beginning of their relationship when Jamie and Cathy were still in the honeymoon phase of their love affair. It is charming and upbeat, and we see the couple truly happy and in love.

We then see Cathy's perspective of their relationship, which is somewhat less positive. She is struggling in her career, and Jamie's success in his career is putting a strain on their relationship. They start to grow apart, and the strain starts to show in the way they interact with each other.

As the movie progresses, Cathy and Jamie's relationship becomes more and more strained. They drift apart, and both start to make mistakes. Their struggles are portrayed through the music and the lyrics, and we see the couple start to unravel.

The movie is a roller-coaster of emotions, featuring upbeat songs celebrating love and happiness, to more somber ballads about heartbreak and loneliness. The music is the highlight of the movie, and it is hard not to be moved by the poignant melodies and lyrics. It is a musical that appeals to both musical theater fans and those who are not familiar with the genre, thanks to the relatable story and likable characters.

One of the strengths of the movie is the performances of its two leads, Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. They both have strong singing voices, and their chemistry is palpable. Kendrick is excellent in portraying Cathy's vulnerability and insecurity, while Jordan captures Jamie's ambition and confidence. Together, they create a believable and complex relationship that is both exciting and heartbreaking.

The movie also benefits from its innovative storytelling structure. By alternating between scenes in chronological order and flashbacks, we get a fuller picture of their relationship than we would if the story were told in a linear fashion. It keeps the audience engaged in the story, and it leads to some clever and emotional moments.

Overall, The Last 5 Years is a moving and intelligent musical that tells a relatable story about love and loss. Its unique structure, excellent performances, and memorable music make it a must-see for musical theater enthusiasts and those who enjoy a good love story.

The Last 5 Years is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 60.