Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks
Story: Set during the French Revolution, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) steals bread and serves his time in prison for it. He later breaks parole and changes his identity to begin a new life. Jean promised a young lady, Fantine (Anne Hathaway) who used to work for him that he would keep her daughter, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) safe and care for her. Javert (Russell Crowe), Jean’s prison guard later finds him and a chase that lasts years ensues.
So back to the question, did Les Miserables live up to its hype?
Absolutely it did!
But I have to admit that this film is not for everyone. If you don’t like watching people sing, Les Miserables is definitely not for you. If you like films that are full of action and are rarely lukewarm, try watching Django Unchained this weekend. If you are a fan of the musical and don’t want to see an attempt to convert it to the big screen; go see it anyway, at least then you can confirm your suspicions that the musical was better.
But if you don’t mind all of those things, then what are you waiting for? Go see the Miserable ones.
The beauty of the cinema is that it humbly displays the secrets of the soul and displays them naked on the screen. Films that do this are rare nowadays. But when they do make an appearance; they call for all to kowtow in respect for the art that is film making. Les Miserables is one of those films. It is perfect and gloriously intense.
This film is first and foremost a love story. The story of ones love for God, for his country, for his children, for money, and for the law. Tom Hooper exemplifies this, and aims to make his film the most epic of all love stories. The sublime settings and costumes play an intricate part in making this film come alive (to be cliché).
Do your hear The Miserable ones singing? Do you hear the lyrics of their song?
I do.
I tell them: “Shh shh, Miserable ones. Don’t cry. Your perfection shall surely be rewarded.”
Do you hear what it is they are crying out for?
They are crying out for Best Picture at the Oscars.