So they finally made a film out of the most critically acclaimed musicals of all time. Its not really a question if the musical works as a musical, its now whether the film company managed to do it justice on the big screen.
The reason this is a short review rather than a full one is, well, it's not hard to find a review of this film, so look at one of those if you don't want spoilers etc. This is more of an impressions video from someone who was introduced to the story and most of the songs via this film. (Yes, I am a culture-less pleb, but feel free how you liked Les Mis before it was cool, I love talking to time travellers from the 1800's).
Firstly, I'll talk about a problem many have had about the film: The casting. Let me be the first to say that Russell Crowe did surprisingly well as stern faced police inspector Javert. Although he is not the greatest singer, he pulls the songs off reasonably well and portrays the character very well, if a little stiff at times. Anne Hathaway blew me away with her performance. I had no idea she had such a powerful voice. Her rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream' was perfect for the feeling of the film. I'm not surprised, however, by how well Hugh Jackman does in the leading role. With a Broadway background, his voice was very well suited to such a task.
The story doesn't need to be talked about, it's Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. If you want more information on the book itself, it's free for the Kindle. Go.
The movie does, at times, seem to move at break-neck speeds, spanning decades and important moments in a few minutes or a song. Then again, this was more of an issue in the musical adaptation itself, and in the movie there are certain filler scenes which make it a lot easier to take in.
Throughout the film, there were some silly moments, but most were relatively loyal to the musical itself. However, one scene sticks in my head in which I laughed out loud in the cinema to the dissaproving looks of those around me. After Letting Valjean go at the end of the film, Javert sings his Soliloquy atop a bridge. Those familiar with the book and/or musical may recognise this moment as 'Javert's Suicide', in which he is torn between upholding the law and trusting the convict to save the life of a revolutionary. This is accurately portrayed in the film, however the part I laughed at is the ridiculous sound effect they decided to put in for when Javert hit the water when jumping off the bridge. It didn't suit the moment. It didn't suit the scene. It didn't suit the movie in any way and ruined the moment in which my favourite character (yes, he is my favourite character) is struck off the cast.
However, the good outweigh the bad, and I would highly recommend this to anyone who is not already singing the praises of the musical. It's a long film, a feature that I am usually opposed to in films such as Transformers and Battleship, but the songs make the long run time enjoyable.
How to Ruin the Film - Think about it like this...
This section I've decided to put after doing some research, I found out that, depending on your view of the events portrayed in the book, Hugo actually made the antagonist and protagonist of Valjean and Javet interchangeable. That means, depending on your view of the events that take place, you can take the side of the character who you believe to be in the right. Obviously, if you choose the Javert side then your story doesn't get too much pay off in the end of the musical, but think of it like this (this will only count for the musical/film, the development may be different in the book).
At the beginning of the play, we are only told by Javert that Valjean is a dangerous criminal, and only have Valjean's words that he stole a loaf of bread to feed his sister's dying son (whom we never hear from again). If you take the legal side of Javert, look at everything that Valjean does as the actions of a pathological liar. He's set free to be on parole, yet never turns up. He is welcomed into the house of a Bishop and steals his belongings. He takes a new name and lies his way into office in Paris. I would go on, but it's more fun if you see the film or musical like this. I found it very enjoyable (in a weird way, admittedly) taking the side of the law and wanting this criminal to be put before the court. Some may say that's a bit sick for what most people see as a tragic hero of literature, but I would say the same for Javet, a man who's tireless preservation of law and order is torn apart by a man who torments him with his stolen freedom and subsequently lead to suicide by his questionable actions.
