The Last Five Years

The Last Five Years

Year: 2015

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Director: Richard LaGravenese

DramaComedyRomanceMusical

This poignant musical tells the story of a novelist and an actress whose relationship evolves through a unique reverse-chronological structure. The narrative jumps between the end of their marriage and the beginning of their romance, exploring the joys and struggles of their connection. We witness the blossoming and eventual decline of their love, experiencing their individual perspectives on the relationship’s journey and the challenges they face along the way.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Last Five Years yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Last Five Years (2015)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Last Five Years (2015). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2009-2014

The movie spans from 2009 to 2014, capturing a transformative period in Jamie and Cathy's lives as they fall in love, experience success and disappointment, and ultimately face the dissolution of their marriage. This timeframe is marked by the rise of social media, changes in the literary and entertainment landscapes, and evolving relationship dynamics.

Location

New York, Ohio, Central Park

The story unfolds primarily in New York, a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse culture. Central Park serves as a significant location where pivotal moments in Jamie and Cathy's relationship occur, including their proposal and vow renewal. Ohio also plays a role as Cathy's hometown, representing her struggles and aspirations as she navigates her life as an actress.

🗽 New York 🌳 Park 🏡 Hometown

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:20

Main Characters – The Last Five Years (2015)

Meet the key characters of The Last Five Years (2015), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cathy (Anna Kendrick)

Cathy is a passionate and aspiring actress navigating the trials and tribulations of her career while coping with the ups and downs of her relationship with Jamie. She is characterized by her humor, resilience, and vulnerability, grappling with feelings of neglect as Jamie's success grows. Cathy's journey is marked by a profound realization of the importance of pursuing her own dreams.

👩‍🎤 Actress ❤️ Love 😢 Heartbreak

Jamie (Jeremy Jordan)

Jamie is a talented writer whose rising fame puts a strain on his relationship with Cathy. He is depicted as passionate and charming, yet he struggles with balancing personal ambitions and romantic commitments. Jamie's journey is fraught with internal conflict as he navigates his double life and the consequences of his actions on his marriage.

📚 Writer 🌟 Fame 💔 Betrayal

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:20

Major Themes – The Last Five Years (2015)

Explore the central themes of The Last Five Years (2015), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love & Loss

At the heart of the narrative is the theme of love and loss, explored through the rise and fall of Jamie and Cathy's relationship. While moments of joy and connection exist, the story poignantly highlights the struggles and heartache that accompany their evolving bond. It delves into the complexities of supporting a partner's dreams at the expense of one’s own.

🎭 Ambition

Ambition plays a significant role in Cathy's journey as she grapples with the challenges of pursuing her dreams while supporting Jamie's literary success. The tension between personal aspirations and relationship dynamics is central to the narrative, illustrating the sacrifices made in the name of love. Cathy's growth as she prioritizes her own ambitions is a powerful aspect of the story.

🔄 Non-linear Storytelling

The movie uniquely employs non-linear storytelling, presenting Cathy's and Jamie's perspectives in reverse and chronological order, respectively. This inventive approach allows audiences to experience the evolution of their relationship from both angles, deepening the emotional impact. It reflects how memories, emotions, and experiences are intertwined, revealing the complexities of love.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:20

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with Reverse Chronology like The Last Five Years

Relationships told in reverse, revealing the end before the beginning.If you liked the unique storytelling of The Last Five Years, explore these other films that unravel a romance backwards. Find movies like The Last Five Years that use non-linear narratives to add depth and emotional weight to relationships, from joyful beginnings to heartbreaking conclusions.

nonlinearnostalgicheartbreakingreflectiveyearningpoignantintrospective

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread unfold out of chronological order, often beginning with a relationship's dissolution and moving backwards to its hopeful start. This structure emphasizes the inevitability of the outcome, forcing the audience to piece together the 'why' and 'how' of the emotional journey, creating a deeply reflective and intellectual viewing experience.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared narrative technique, which fundamentally shapes the tone and emotional impact. They all explore the bittersweet nature of memory and love by revealing the conclusion upfront, creating a coherent experience of melancholy reflection and intellectual engagement with time.

Movies About Artistic Couples Like The Last Five Years

Love stories strained by the demands of artistic ambition and success.Discover movies similar to The Last Five Years that delve into the lives of creative couples. If you liked the story of Jamie and Cathy, you'll find other powerful dramas about relationships tested by artistic ambition, career envy, and the struggle for balance between love and creative passion.

creative struggleyearningresignedmelancholicintrospectiveromantic tensioncareer vs love

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows two creative individuals whose love is challenged by diverging career paths, competition, and the consuming nature of artistic work. A common arc involves one partner's rising success creating an imbalance, leading to feelings of neglect, resentment, and ultimately a questioning of the relationship's foundation amid the struggle for individual identity.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a strong thematic focus on the intersection of love and art. They are united by the specific conflict of creative ambition versus romantic partnership, resulting in a consistent mood of melancholy, introspection, and the bittersweet reality of dreams achieved at a personal cost.

Unlock the Full Story of The Last Five Years

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Last Five Years in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Last Five Years is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Last Five Years Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Last Five Years, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Last Five Years Summary

The Last Five Years Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Last Five Years with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Last Five Years Timeline

The Last Five Years Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Last Five Years that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Last Five Years Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Last Five Years

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Last Five Years: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Last Five Years

Similar Movies to The Last Five Years

Discover movies like The Last Five Years that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.