The Last Five Years (2014)

The Last Five Years is the (rather modestly budgeted) film version of the (presumably modestly budgeted) off Broadway musical of the same title. It the story of the rise and fall of a five year relationship between aspiring actress Cathy Hiatt (Anna Kendrick) and budding novelist Jamie Wellerstein (Jeremy Jordan). The chronological presentation of events is notably a-typical as "all of Cathy's songs begin after they have separated and move backwards in time to the beginning of their courtship, while Jamie's songs start when they have first met and proceeds through their crumbling marriage." (Wikipedia) The novelty wears thin however in that Jamie is not all the likeable, in fact he's kind of jerk, and even Anna Kendrick's best efforts can't make any of the songs memorable. This movies a slog and I can't recommend it. *1/2