Thursday, December 27, 2012

'Les Misérables' Review


To start off, I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas! And I would also like to apologize, for it being nearly three months since my last posting. This is what happens when life gets hectic, and college starts to become utterly frustrating. But enough of that.

This was, without a doubt, a fantastic and amazing film. Tom Hooper did an amazing job taking an astounding story and musical, with themes of love, forgiveness and change, adding in a cast of amazing and talented actors, stir in dynamite locations to portray 19th century France in all its squalor and chaos, and you get this movie.

Casting wise, everyone did an amazing job. Hugh Jackman was fantastic in the role of Jean Vajean, delivering a stirring performance with a fantastic job singing. Anne Hathaway, wow where do I begin? She owned Fantine. Her performance of 'I Dreamed a Dream' was so powerful and moving, I started to get emotional and nearly had to leave the theatre. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the heartless and greedy innkeepers the Thenardiers was hilarious and so utterly memorable. Russell Crowe's portrayal of Police Inspector Javert was fantastic, if a bit forgetful. While the songs and delivery were amazing, he didn't really come forth the ruthlessness I have seen in stage version's of the show, where Javert is shown to be quite heartless in some situations. Samantha Barks did a wonderful job as Eponine, her songs were beautifully sung.

Now despite the film's excellence in acting and song, there was one small issue I had with the movie. One was Hooper's constant changing camera angles. While I can see that the whole need to examine a scene from different sides works, in some cases it was a bit unnecessary. But beyond that, I had no other problems with the movie whatsoever.

All in all, this movie was amazing, and one that I intend to see again soon and buy once it comes out on dvd. I give this film five out of five stars, for bringing to the silver screen, one of my all time favorite musicals with the help of a stellar cast, sets, songs and a great director at the helm. I encourage everyone to see this movie.