Les Miserables

2012

Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bohnam Carter, Eddie Redmayne,Colm Wilkinson

It is 1815 and the prisoner 24601,  Jean Valjean,  (Jackman) is released on parole by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe). He breaks parole, goes on the run and is taken in by a kind bishop (Wilkinson) who lets him steal the church silver in return for a promise that he will redeem himself of his sins. Valjean becomes a factory owner and mayor and when one of his workers Fantine (Hathaway) is ousted by the other female workers, his life is turned upside down when he has to take in her daughter Cosette (Seyfried) and give her the life Fantine couldn't. Javert is close behind on his tail.


I am a huge fan of the musical. I think i have worn out the 10th Anniversary VHS at my parents house and cried buckets when i went to see it with my mum at the Edinburgh Playhouse.

I thought this film adaptation was just outstanding. The cinematography is very intense and makes you feel close in and part of the action. it can be quite claustrophobic, but in a good way.

Hugh Jackman is fantastic as the downtrodden Valjean. He didn't need to say or sing anything, the emotion in his eyes just said it all for him. He is well in there for an Oscar in my opinion.

Anne Hathaway has gone up in my estimation as an actress. Her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream is just so heartbreaking, especially when you see what has happened to her just before.

Russell Crowe is probably not to everyone's tastes but i love how he can be so menacing one second and then vulnerable the next. People are commenting that he was not vindictive enough! His Gladiator esque "No" did it for me.......and i had his '24601' in my head all last night. Sure he is not the strongest of singers but for me, this conveyed the tormented soul that Javert is...putting on a front, when really, he is so messed up inside!

Putting Colm Wilkinson in as the Bishop was a stroke of genius and he will forever be my Valjean...as good as Jackman was, i have yet to hear a better version of Bring Him Home.

Eddie Redmayne was a good surprise as Marius....Empty Chairs at Empty Tables was very sad!

One little touch that i loved was that they stayed true to the original musical with Enjolras's death.......people will know what i mean!

Well worth the hype

p.s take some tissues


10/10