Movie: Les Misérables
Genre: musical drama
Synopsis: A cinematic version
of the Broadway musical based on the novel by Victor Hugo, set in Paris in 19th
century. The movie opens with Jean
Valjean (Hugh Jackman) gaining his parole after serving nineteen years of at
hard labor – 5 for stealing bread (for his starving nephew) and 14 for trying
to escape. He is given his parole by the
officer Javert (Russell Crowe). The
story follows Valjean as he makes a new life for himself under a new name – but
is always haunted by Javert, who seems to surface every time he turns
around. Fantine (Anne Hathaway) works in
a factory owned by Valjean. When her supervisor fires her, it results in her
dying. At her side when she dies,
Valjean vows to take care of Fontain’s infant child, Cosette. The story then skips ahead 15 years where
Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) falls in love with Marius (Eddie Redmayne). Things are complicated by Javert showing up,
again, and Marius’ involvement in civil protests against the French government.
My two cents: The movie was a
bit long at 2hr 37 min. I am a sucker
for musicals and I loved this movie.
Russell Crowe is not much of a singer – but everyone else made up for
it. Hugh Jackman was great. Anne Hathaway has my vote for an Oscar. She
has at least two scenes that will absolutely rip your heart out. Before her mother died, Cosette was watched
by the Thenardiers - who ran an
inn. The couple was played by Sacha
Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter. I
really do not like Sacha Baron Cohen and do my best to not see his movies. However, I have to admit that he and Helena Bonham
Carter were absolutely brilliant in this movie.
They stole every scene they were in.
The two things I would change
are (1) make it a little shorter and (2) speak the dialog and leave the singing
for the songs. This is one of those
musicals where everything is done in song.
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