Today, I went to see Les Mis. with my mom and cousin. I have never read the book nor knew anything about the storyline. I went in blind and came out thoroughly impressed and not a little perplexed. I knew that this was a musical, but I just wasn't prepared for all the lines to be sung by each and every character. At first I was like "is this seriously going to continue like this?" Yes it did. After the first hour or so, I got used to it and enjoyed it.
I had heard the famous song, "I Dreamed A Dream," before--thanks Susan Boyle--so I knew what to expect when Anne Hathaway's character, Fantine, sang it. But I was not prepared for how it was delivered or how it came to be. Was anyone else? I mean, this is one woman who would go to make sure her daughter was properly taken care of. I don't know about you other ladies, but as she sang, I saw her story dance before my eyes. I saw her fall in love with a handsome gentleman, sleep with him, become pregnant, then once he got what he wanted, he left her with a baby. As I am told by my cousin--who has started to read the book--Fantine's baby was nearly a year old before the father skipped out. Which just makes the story a little more sad.
Fantine's character was played by the beautiful and talented Anne Hathaway. I was thoroughly impressed with her singing and acting in this movie. It is so unlike the other movies that she has been in. From royalty to prostitution, Hathaway practically steals the show and has earned that Golden Globe that she received. My favorite scene of hers was when she returned at the end to help Jean Valjean--played by Hugh Jackman--pass into death. I will admit that her parts made me (and the audience) tear up.
Next we have Javert, played by our favorite gladiator, Russell Crowe. His singing, I believe was the weakest of all the secondary characters in this movie. Maybe it was just his voice, but his scenes weren't the strongest until he threw himself off that bridge with a rememberable splat and crack! It was sad that he was unable to live with the feelings that Valjean invoked in him and no man should have to die in that fashion. Though I like Crowe as an actor, this was not my favorite performance of his.
I have to admit that Amanda Seyfried's singing voice as Cosette was a big shock for me. Who knew that she could sing outside of "Mamma Mia" and that high? Though we did not see much acting Bon her part, I think she did an acceptable job for the part she played.
Now, I have never seen Eddie Redmayne in any kind of main role (I have not had the pleasure in seeing "The Pillars of the Earth" though it is on my list). His character, Marius, had a lot of good moments and difficult singing parts. I am happy to say that he hit them all with flying colors. Though I don't think I can get the image of him floating in human excrement out of my mind any time soon. It was nice how Valjean told Marius about who he really was and the younger man kept that secret even as he and Cosette were at besides Valjean's death "bed." That made me like him a lot...and for punching Sacha Baron Cohen's character in the wedding scene.
Speaking of Cohen, he played the conman-innkeeper Thenardier who was married to Helena Bonham Carter's character, Madame Thenardier. These two were quite the pair, huh? Their main scene at the inn was the only time that I actually laughed more than once at--mainly because no one died during that scene. As always, Carter donned her crazy hat and played a spectacular performance which was only amplified by Cohen's performance. These two, though the most unlikely pair of both characters and actors, a great act that audiences were able to enjoy throughout the movie.
Lastly, we have Jean Valjean himself, played by Wolverine himself, the handsome Hugh Jackman. With a character so unlike his others, Jackman took a huge risk in taking this part. I don't know of any other parts of his that required singing, and that much singing at that! As the main character, that is to be expected, but there was still a lot of singing. Not that his voice wasn't unpleasant, but there were some parts that his voice was stretched a little thin on the high notes. He displayed the true theme of this musical, redemption, and shocked the world that he was not just a member of the X-men. Otherwise, thumbs up Jackman!
The plot was overall excellent, I have no complaints there. This movie was a tear jerker, to be sure, and I would advise anyone (any girl, I guess) to bring tissues because you will cry at one point or another. The three times that I cried the hardest were Fantine's song "I Dreamed A Dream," when the little boy was shot, Gavroche, along with the rest of the rebels, and when Valjean died at the end. Watch out for those scenes. They cause bouts of emotions.
The music was exquisite and very agreeable. My mom, who had seen Les Mis. on Broadway, thought that all the actors/actresses did excellant jobs, so if you aren't going to see the movie because this new version could not compare to the old, suck it up and go see it. You will be thoroughly surprised. My favorite song has to be the last one that everyone sings. It was first introduced to us when the group of rebels were singing it and has stuck with me all day.
I have no complaints about this movie. The director made it as authentic as he could, though some of the CGI effects were obviously hokey and needed a little touch up. But I'm no expert, so don't take my word on that.
For this movie, it would give it a solid 4/5 stars.
What's your opinion??
Thanks for taking the time to read this through, I would greatly appreciate a comment if you could.
Katie
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