By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Richard Lagravenese
Country: united_states
Year: 2015
Running time: 90
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2474024/combined
Bruce says: “Jason Robert Brown is on a roll. His ‘Bridges of Madison County’ debuted at Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2013 before going to Broadway in the spring of 2014. Honeymoon in Vegas debuted at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2013 and will preview on a Broadway stage in November this year. A stage revival of ‘The Last Five Years’ was off-Broadway at the beginning of 2014. The musical has achieved cult status since its debut, an anomaly of sorts. THE LAST 5 YEARS had its world premiere in Toronto and will be released in the states in February 2015.
“The book of the musical is simple but not at all straightforward. The story is about the break up of a marriage and love affair, told by both Jamie (Jeremy Jordan) and Cathy (Anna Kendrick.) The film begins with the first chapter of her story that is told backwards; his story is told forwards.
“While I am somewhat familiar with the score, I have never seen a staged production. I had hoped that THE LAST FIVE YEARS would be a highlight of the Toronto Film Festival. Alas, that was not so. The singing in the film is glorious and that is the film’s saving grace. It is poorly directed. Much of the action in the musical numbers is lacking in fluidity. Some of the scenes are so dark and murky; it is difficult to see what is happening. I would blame the cinematographer for most of the bad decisions but it is possible LaGravenese thought a dark film would suit its dark subject matter.
“My biggest problem, however, is the casting of Anna Kendrick. Blessed with a fabulous voice, Kendrick is painful to watch. At times she was so wooden she looked as though she might be filming a Polident commercial. Jeremy Jordon was perhaps a bit too charming but, generally speaking, he was more suited to his part.
“For Jason Robert Brown fans this film is a ‘must see’ in spite of its flaws. 3 cats
“ (THE LAST 5 YEARS screened at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.)”