Somehow, I’d managed to discount the possibility that Victor Hugo’s epic tragedy, Les Miserables, would be adapted as a musical for the film version as it has been for the stage, and just before Hugh Jackman started to open up his shackled vocals, it dawned on me and I turned to my girlfriend and asked, “Is there singing in this?” Stupid comments aside, the cinematic adaptation is impressive, despite all the singing. It’s got its detractions, but overall it’s a well produced movie with great visual intensity that’ll pull at your heart strings no matter how much of an ice queen you might think you are.
If you’re not familiar with the story of Les Miserables, it’s set during a period of great upheaval in French politics and society. It starts with convict Jean Valjean in 1815 as he is released from 19 years imprisonment. Marked in his papers as a former convict, he cannot find employment and in the end returns to crime, stealing from the local priest who pardons him and allows him to keep his new found riches, granting him a new life with the proviso that he must use it for good. The story follows as he is reformed from his past life, tries all he can redeem himself and avoid a return to his former incarceration at the hands of the fanatical police officer, Javert.
Hugh Jackman pulls off some convincing facial contortions to convey the internal struggle of Jean Valjean. His voice is a bit creaking at times, but that fits the part well. Russell Crowe puts in an equally fitting performance as the dogged Inspector Javert. However, the star of the show has got to be Anne Hathaway (Batman The Dark Knight Rises), who’s role as Fantine, the tragic fallen mother that Valjean tries to save, is nothing short of perfect, especially her vocals, which are staggering.
Amanda Seyfried (Epic) puts in a strong performance as Fantine’s daughter Cosette, who Valjean manages to adopt from the nasty innkeepers, played with great comic timing by Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, who had been paid to care for her. While Eddie Redmayne (My Week With Marilyn) isn’t exactly stand out in any real way, he carries off the role well enough, although, in terms of revolutionaries, he’s easily out shined by Daniel Huttlestone who plays the gutsy little street dwelling child, Gavroche.
The performances have resulted in Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor for Hugh Jackman and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Anne Hathaway. However, the sets, costumes and cinematography are also impressive enough to garner nomination for Costume Design, Make-up and Hairstyling, Production Design and Sound Mixing Academy Award nominations.
All of that aside, if the film had been made without the singing, based solely on the original work of Victor Hugo and with a notch or two less ham from some of the key scenes, I would have appreciated it more, however, it probably wouldn’t have been the international box office success that it’s turned out to be. The reality is that you can’t take anything away from what it be, a brilliantly produced adaptation of the musical production.
Les Miserables film review: 4/5
