‘The Last Five Years’ (U.S.)
( October 10, 2014 )
**** (out of four)
Instantly enjoyable and eventually crushing, “The Last Five Years” is a musical for people (like me) who can’t stand musicals but are open to ones that are intimate, smart and surprising rather than loud, overdone and obvious. Based on Jason Robert Brown’s piece that premiered in 2001 at Chicago’s Northlight Theatre, the film jumps around the doomed relationship of Cathy (Anna Kendrick) and Jamie (Jeremy Jordan of “Smash”), but this is much more and much deeper than a “(1800) Days of Jamie.” It’s remarkably perceptive about love and commitment, anchored by two stars who only make the excellent songs better. Shockingly good.
Instantly enjoyable and eventually crushing, “The Last Five Years” is a musical for people (like me) who can’t stand musicals but are open to ones that are intimate, smart and surprising rather than loud, overdone and obvious. Based on Jason Robert Brown’s piece that premiered in 2001 at Chicago’s Northlight Theatre, the film jumps around the doomed relationship of Cathy (Anna Kendrick) and Jamie (Jeremy Jordan of “Smash”), but this is much more and much deeper than a “(1800) Days of Jamie.” It’s remarkably perceptive about love and commitment, anchored by two stars who only make the excellent songs better. Shockingly good.
