If you enjoy musicals that lean into sappy emotional tropes without addressing any real-life challenges, then 'The Last Five Years' might just be the film for you. This adaptation, directed by Richard LaGravenese, and based on the musical by Jason Robert Brown, hit the screens in 2014 and was filmed mostly in New York City. It's a straightforward story of a couple tracing the ups and downs of their five-year relationship through song. But let's face it, if you're looking for substance or a fresh perspective, this movie might leave you wanting.
The film stars Anna Kendrick as Cathy and Jeremy Jordan as Jamie. They deliver solid performances, but they’re mired in a narrative that glosses over deeper truths in favor of melodrama. For those unfamiliar with the plot, 'The Last Five Years' chronicles the relationship between Cathy, a struggling actress, and Jamie, a burgeoning novelist. What sets the film apart structurally is that Cathy tells her side of the story from the end of the relationship backward, while Jamie narrates chronologically from when they first met.
Sure, this narrative structure is interesting but hardly groundbreaking. Some might say it mirrors the complexity of relationships, but it often feels like a storytelling gimmick rather than a deep exploration into the human condition. The songs are catchy, though — if pop musicals are your thing, you might even have a few stuck in your head afterward. Still, musicals should offer more than just a series of pleasant tunes and attractive leads.
Politically, this film is as neutral as a vanilla ice cream cone and about as daring. It doesn't put forward any messages that challenge the status quo or provide a commentary on the societal changes that have been burgeoning in recent years. Maybe it tries to stay out of contentious territory, or maybe it just doesn’t have much to say beyond the realm of personal woes.
So why should you concern yourself with 'The Last Five Years'? Mostly, to recognize the plethora of opportunities the filmmakers missed. Imagine if the story had explored real depth in its characters. Or if it tipped its toes into how their careers clashed with their personal lives beyond cliché job woes? Alas, it sticks to tepid waters.
Speaking of societal perspectives, how about addressing ambition versus relationships and what sacrifices people make in the real world to attain their dreams? Maybe they could have highlighted how ambition affects not only personal relationships but societal progression. Instead, we’re left with personal failings, portrayed as poignant but really just reflections of selfish drives masked as pursuit of happiness.
What’s missing most from 'The Last Five Years' is a broader understanding of real-world stakes. Many film-goers today look for art that not only entertains but challenges them; art that resonates with their lives, their struggles, and yes, their societal concerns. 'The Last Five Years' remains aloof in this regard.
It’s fair to appreciate art for art’s sake, but let’s also ensure that our art speaks to us rather than just serenading us with the same old this-could-have-been-a-Hallmark-movie storylines.
Ultimately, while it’s engaging on the surface, one would hope for narratives that inspire and possibly rally us toward larger truths. Instead, 'The Last Five Years' seems content to bask in its own wistful tunes and narrative trickery without much to say about life beyond its limited couple's storyline.
If anything, appreciating this film includes acknowledging it for what it accomplishes as a musical adaptation. Yet it’s impossible to ignore the missed chances for meaningful dialogue with its audience. Sometimes when storytelling raises no voice, it's just another echo in an already crowded theater.