MovieChat Forums > The Last Five Years (2015) Discussion > Too Skewed *SPOILERS*

Too Skewed SPOILERS

posted 9 years ago by marcus_stokes2000
8 replies | jump to latest

I'm sorry, but this movie left quite the sour taste in my mouth, because I didn't expect one character (the man, quelle surprise) to be played as a douche while the woman is supposed to be the one we sympathize with.

I thought they were supposed to be on equal ground from the synopsis, but apparently it wasn't meant to be.

Good music, though, but it doesn't manage to save this big flanderization from wrecking the movie.

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The Avengers

[–] BestOfAllPossible 9 years ago

There are people who sympathize more with Jamie and people who sympathize more with Cathy. Some have gone back and forth on this very board. And we've discussed how both characters are very flawed, which is why the relationship that starts out so good tragically ends badly. You may have taken away his behavior being worse than hers, but others have felt the exact opposite. I believe this points not to the story itself being skewed, but to the interpretation of the individual viewer in rooting for one or the other.

[–] marcus_stokes2000 9 years ago

The problem, though, is that the movie tells me I should sympathize with Cathy, but the insincerity of the whole process makes me utterly dislike her.

Hawkeye: Do you know how it feels to be unmade?
The Avengers

[–] BestOfAllPossible 8 years ago

In what ways does the movie tell you you should sympathize with Cathy?

[–] SallahTours 9 years ago

I feel like this adaptation was skewed in favor of Cathy. The fact that he cheats with multiple women was very evident of this. I think picking a side as the director is an easy way out and doesn't challenge the audience.

That being said, this is one of my favorite musicals to argue about :)

[–] SharWeasley 8 years ago

i know this is an old post but I'm watching this now on netflix, and even the first time i watched this i thought how interesting it was that they chose to have him cheat with so many women. in the stage version, its unclear, usually more leaning toward him cheating with one person. had it only been one person, its still terrible, but it'd be more bearable than him being with so many other women. the choice to have him be a blatant dog and sleep around with so many other women was def a way to lean sympathy towards kathy. they are both flawed and could've put more effort into their relationship.

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[–] SallahTours 8 years ago

Couldn't agree more. I actually gasped when I realized that they were showing him with multiple women.

[–] StrongCarl 8 years ago

I just finished watching. At first I was sympathizing with him; she seemed jealous and wanted her own career to work out. I got that she wanted to be independent and not "need" him, but she should have been happier for him.

Then when it showed him cheating, I thought that he bore the greater blame.

[–] ElphieDefyingGravity 8 years ago

I felt there was a lot in the film version that was changed so that Kendrick shone. Not sure why. I saw the play and it was so different.

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