Thursday 7 February 2013

Movie Review: Les Misérables

In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever.


Wauw, really wauw. What a beautiful movie this was. I was finally able to see it today and it was so worth the money. Now I have to say I've never read the book or have seen any of the musical adaptions (unfortunately), so I cannot say if they stayed exactly with the original story, but I assume they did quite well on that.

Let me start with praising the crew of the movie. The way it was filmed was absolutely amazing. A lot of close-ups were used in the movie, which made it so much more intense than when you would have a lot of panorama views. Amazing.

As for the actors, obviously the movie captured some really talented actors: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne and Helena Bonham-Carter. That they can act is known undoubtly, and they all pulled it off in this movie. The singing of some actors I was a bit wary about. I had heard Helena sing before as well as Amanda, but never so far for the others. In the beginning I had to get used to Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe a little when singing, but they both pulled it off in the end. Eddie was the one that convinced me least. It is not that he can't sing, but his voice didn't do it for me to listen to very long. His voice is quite high pitched and it didn't do it for me that much.

I was really surprised by Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks and Daniel Huttlestone. Daniel had a fairly small role, but the time he spend on the screen, really chilling. For such a young age, so talented and amazingly convincing. Aaron stood out to me as a great actor, really brought the story and feeling of his character Enjolras to screen. Then last but not least Samantha, what a great voice she has. Her solo song On My Own was one of the best songs in the movie in my opinion!

Did any of you already see the movie or is still planning to see it?

P.S. Funny fact that only during the movie I realised that I've seen part of the set when it was set up in Greenwich, when I visited last year.

4 comments:

  1. I feel like I am so unfamiliar with Les Misérables. I haven't read the book (don't think I ever will) and I haven't seen any of the other adaptations. But the buzz around this movie is just so big that it's impossible to ignore.

    I have yet to see the movie. I really want to though, because - like you - everyone is really positive about the movie.

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  2. I so, so want to watch that movie, it's on my must-see-list!

    -Kati

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  3. I've seen it a few weeks ago and liked it. Wasn't as impressed as you are but I definitely enjoyed it. I think Anna Hathaway did an AMAZING job. Her singing made me definitely tear up. I couldn't really get used to Russell Crowe singing, but thought he did alright. So it was just a fun movie for me.

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  4. I've seen it and liked it very much! And I did read the book, though, I must have been 14 when I read it, it's still one of my favorite books! (Victor Hugo is imo a great writer, I read it in French, so I really connected with the his writing).
    I was truly amazed by Anne Hathaway, I hadn't at all expected such a powerful rendition of I Dreamed A Dream. Really, I was crying by that moment! It's so raw and "real". I know a lot of people bitch about the fact that she wasn't on point when it comes to singing and that it sometimes was falls, but holy Jesus, I wouldn't want it any other way! I thought it added sooo much more to the story, than if it had just been perfectly sung!
    Unfortunately, Russell Crowe didn't do it for me.. I just couldn't get in his Javert, which is a shame, because his character is important to the story. Plus, his singing wasn't really good (when you compare to others).
    I also have to disagree on Eddie, for me it was the opposite, I was truly impressed by him and his performance of Empty Tables at Empty Chairs. I thought it was amazing, and bittersweet! :p

    (sorry for this super long comment, but once I get started on a topic, I just can't seem to stop :p)

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