Quality:
Prisoner 24601, known as Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe). Set post-revolutionary France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June Rebellion.
I posted a few weeks ago about how I [was] Starting to Worry About Les Miserables. If you constantly compare the musical to the film you will be let down on a musicality standpoint as many of the actors are better known for that then for singing for a reason. But that is merely one thread in the tapestry of the film version.
I wanted to highlight four scenes that were the best experiences for me, and I’d like to see if they were the same for you. I immersed myself in Les Mis soundtrack, video clips, and stage recordings, and it was a bit of a mistake. Although I did not love Hugh Jackman’s musical performance, his acting carried over and help to move me. Particularly in Val Jean’s Soliloquy where is wrestles with his hatred for the world, and yet tried to reconcile himself to God. The cinematography as he paces back and forth with the music away and toward the reliquary was masterful.
One of the best known and best loved songs of Les Miserables is I Dreamed a Dream sung by the character Fantine. You may remember the sweet and triumphant version that help Susan Boyle raise to internet fame. But with all the cheers of the audience you might miss the words and meaning of the song. It is of despair and sorrow and Anne Hathaway makes you feel that. Our theatre audience applauded at the end of it.
Conclusion: If I were to rate the transition from stage to screen I might drop a star for some changes that I’ll highlight in a later posting, but as a standalone film it was a wonderful experience. There are themes of redemption, mercy, courage, comradeship, duty, fatherhood, and love unrequited. Anyone could find a character to associate with. If you haven’t seen it yet, I would make plans to do so this weekend.
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