Last Five Years - siding with one character?

[Polka Dot2]

Posted: 9/13/14 at 8:56pm

I'm curious to hear other's people's thoughts on this - Do you find yourself siding with one of the characters more than the other?

Maybe it's because of things that have happened in my life, but I connect more with Cathy. I have more sorrow for her, and I seem to hate Jamie (not just at the end of the show, but all throughout).

Thoughts?

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 9/13/14 at 9:38pm

I think they're both really annoying characters, but I definitely like Cathy more and have more sympathy for her. Jamie just always seems so self-centered and whiny. It also seems like she made more of an attempt to deal with his success and jerkiness and be happy despite that than he tried to take an interest in her life.

[Becky]

Posted: 9/13/14 at 10:18pm

I saw the original off-Broadway production a few times, and the revival at Second Stage - and I'd have to say for me it depended on the way the actors portrayed the role. In the off-Broadway version, I was more sympathetic towards Jamie (with Norbert), and in the revival I was more sympathetic towards Cathy (because of Betsy). All in all, I think the show is written a little one-sided in favor of Jamie, but a great performance can draw you towards either of them.

*Edited to say that both have faults, and both have valid complaints. It's the unfortunate reality of relationships - and how difficult it can be to navigate through hard circumstances.
Updated On: 9/13/14 at 10:18 PM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/13/14 at 11:48pm

Reminds me of when I went to the first preview of the 2nd Stage revival, and Betsy Wolfe greeted the fans after the show and jokingly asked "Whose side were you on?"

Personally I feel that, while Jaime is more at FAULT because of his unfaithful actions, both characters have real issues. Both played their part in the break-up, and both have sympathetic qualities.



Updated On: 9/13/14 at 11:48 PM

[LittleEdieFan]

Posted: 9/14/14 at 5:37am

They are both equally annoying.

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 9/14/14 at 8:03am

I know it's not supposed to be this kind of story, but I wish it focused more on their careers driving their relationship apart and driving themselves away from who they were. It's there, but I wish it was more of a force.

That being said, in a great production you can walk away arguing one side of the story (like Mamet's Oleanna). I typically side with Cathy.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 9/15/14 at 12:39am

I really, really dislike Jamie so definitely Cathy. I don't think that Jamie intends to be a jerk, but he's very egotistical, self-centered, and not very empathetic. Like I said in the L5Y film thread, Cathy was having her career issues at the beginning of their relationship and he still chose to marry her. Plus I think that Jamie just jumped in too soon and that's why he got tempted by fame and other women--he even admits it in "Moving too Fast." And then according to "A Miracle Would Happen," even when he's happy in the relationship, he's still tempted and admits that he's talking to these women in a way that makes Cathy suspicious. I honestly feel like Jamie rationalized his treatment of Cathy by acting like she resented his success when really she was just reacting in a very understandable way to her husband basically ignoring her in favor of his groupies and parties.

Just my take on it, though.