The camera pans in on a modest brownstone that, until recently, a once-happy young couple shared.
The heroine, Cathy, appearing washed out and shell-shocked after reading the note that her husband left her, sings, “Jamie is over and Jamie is gone; Jamie has new dreams he’s building upon … and I’m still hurting.” Flash back then, five years earlier, when Jamie and Cathy first met and couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
This film, The Last Five Years, is the big-screen adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical from composer/lyricist Jason Robert Brown. Told almost completely through song, the movie chronicles a love affair and marriage over five years, as Jamie Wallerstein, an up-and-coming novelist, falls head-over-heels in love with Cathy Hiatt, a talented but struggling actress.
Director Richard LaGravenese says, “I saw The Last Five Years as this generation’s Umbrellas of Cherbourg,” referring to the 1964 French musical film starring Catherine Deneuve that also involves a shattered love relationship.
LaGravenese is known for writing the screenplay for HBO’s Emmy-winning drama Behind the Candelabra, as well as for writing and directing films like Freedom Writers, P.S. I Love You and the indie hit Paris je t’aime.
“I loved the structure of the storytelling. It was so original,” he says, “and I wanted to maintain the impact of the songs as being the primary storytelling device.”
What makes this musical different is that Cathy’s songs begin at the end of their marriage and move backward in time to the beginning of their love affair, while Jamie’s songs start with their passionate meeting and move forward to the end of their marriage.
“In a way, it’s exploring how men and women are always singing different ‘songs’ in a relationship,” LaGravenese explains, “how men and women see love in different ways, even though they are experiencing the same relationship together.”
The result is fast-moving but emotionally potent.
For example, there’s a poignant kind of irony to Cathy’s “I Can Do Better Than That,” sung as she takes her new boyfriend Jamie to meet her parents in their plain New Jersey suburb. Even so, the enthusiastic, slightly defiant expression of her youthful idealism is bound to pluck at the heartstrings of many watching.
Later, Jamie’s “Nobody Needs to Know,” sung to his various one-night stands, signals his ultimate capitulation of the relationship, leading to a finale that is truly worthy of at least a few moistened eyes.
In the end, we flash back to the morning after the couple’s first ecstatic night together as Cathy, still bright-eyed and optimistic, joyously waves to him at the start of their new day, singing “Goodbye Until Tomorrow,” while simultaneously (but from a vantage point of five years later), Jamie sadly, tiredly watches his wife’s younger self, as he mourns their irreparably damaged relationship. While Cathy waves to the younger Jamie, his older incarnation simply, numbly bids the girl that Cathy was goodbye while leaving.
As amorous or bittersweet as the story is, the core problem with these two characters is their basic immaturity throughout their relationship. It’s no accident that Brown has chosen to keep most of their songs separate and individual; while each is pursuing his or her own careers and goals, they never really learn to meet in the middle --fairly and equitably -- and put the greater interests of them collectively before their own self-driven aims.
“Temptation is not a problem, it’s a challenge,” Jamie sings just after his wedding. The trouble is, as the couple’s relationship dissolves more and more into petty arguments and marital games of one-upmanship, he eventually just stops trying and embarks on several meaningless affairs. Meanwhile, Cathy pursues one supposed career-building project after another, putting her marriage and its growing problems on the back burner. It’s the stuff of terrific melodrama!
Nonetheless, LaGravenese and Brown also wisely throw in plenty of laughs -- often in the most unexpected places -- to keep the goings-on from being too gloomy. One such sequence involves Jamie trying to cheer up his discouraged wife on Christmas Eve by telling her a long but surprisingly hilarious story. They also knowingly send up some of the more notorious conventions of more celebrated musicals, like the montage when Cathy, holed away for the summer at a minor-league stock company in Ohio, tells Jamie about her stripper roommate and the woman’s pet python Wayne, or how the leading man in her current show is a “gay dwarf playing Tevye.”
The two leads could not have been better cast: Anna Kendrick is thoroughly delightful as Cathy, and the swarthy, charismatic Jeremy Jordan is Jamie.
Kendrick, one of the hottest rising stars around today, is well-known for her role in the hit film Pitch Perfect and her turn as Cinderella in the cinematic adaptation of Into The Woods. Her new film offers a fuller understanding of just how gifted and powerful this actress is.
Likewise, the ruggedly handsome Jordan is perhaps best known for his roles in the Tony-winning musical Newsies, as well as his recurring role on the hit TV show Smash. As Jamie, Jordan is perfectly cast as everyone’s fantasy boyfriend -- funny, smart, good-looking, and, by and large, supportive. (“If I didn’t believe in you, I never could have loved you,” Jamie tells Cathy. “But I can’t commit to losing just because you can’t seem to win!”)
He makes the most of this golden opportunity to showcase his rich voice. Moreover, with Jamie’s performance of “The Schmuel Song,” a tale of a tailor, he even gets to show off some character work.
Jason Robert Brown himself makes a clever cameo appearance as Cathy’s accompanist during one of her many auditions for Broadway musicals (for a role that -- once again -- she won’t get).
The film is shot on location in New York City, where it’s set, and Steven Meizler’s sprawling cinematography adds a distinct, urbane vibrancy to all the goings-on and opens up the action of this two-person stage vehicle very nicely.
Released for a limited theatrical run on Valentine’s Day weekend, The Last Five Years is for anyone who has loved, lost, and lived to love again -- and is must-see viewing for those of any sexual preference who adore a terrific love story set to music.
Simultaneous to its theatrical engagement, The Last Five Years is being made available on video on demand across most platforms, including Apple iTunes. For more information about this film, produced by Lucky Monkey Pictures and Sh-K-Boom Entertainment, including the releasing schedule, check out LastFiveYearsMovie."
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.