Les Misérablesstarts well—almost with the majestic
feel of Lord of the Rings. This
musical is not the ‘typical’ musical—much of the dialogue is sung without the
benefit of rhyming lyrics and musical score. Now that the format is understood,
the story can be settled into. The first big surprise is that Russell Crowe and
Anne Hathaway can sing—well. We already know Hugh Jackman can sing (Oklahoma!). The acting is—good. The
story is—unsettling, darkly written. It’s no Cinderella story—the working-class,
single mother does not rise to a place of plenty, but is lowered into a life of
prostitution, disease, and poverty. This story is a dive into reality where
revolutionaries do not live to celebrate the day, but are massacred as they
stand and deserted by those for whom they fight. Good deeds are not rewarded
and injustices are madly pursued until the critical question is finally asked,
“If we live in a world of grace and forgiveness, what happens to law and
order?” Irreconcilable worlds clash, neither one forgiving of the other, until
it seems that only on the other side of death shall all be made right. The
climatic ending scenes send this movie through the roof for kudos. Les Misérablestakes a while to tell its
story, but don’t miss it.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Jean
Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is released on parole, but cannot find a job. Bishop of
Digne (Colm Wilkinson) gives him a place to stay, but Jean Valjean steals his
silver. When the police catch Jean Valjean, the Bishop tells them he gave
the silver to Jean Valjean and then tells Jean to go make a life for himself.
Additional Thanks
Thank
you to Director Tom Hooper for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers Nicholas Allott, Liza Chasin, Angela Morrison, F. Richard Pappas, and
Thomas Schönberg for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), Javert (Russell Crowe), Fantine (Anne Hathaway), Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), Thénardier
(Sacha Baron Cohen), Madame Thénardier (Helena Bonham Carter), Marius (Eddie
Redmayne), and Enjolras (Aaron Tveit).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The film’s message is unmistakable and needs to be retold again and again.
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