Plot: Based on the novel by Victor Hugo and the Broadway musical of the same name, Les Miserables tells the story of Jean Valjean (Hugo Jackman) a man imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread and then forced to live as a marked convict. After stealing some silverware and receiving a reprieve from a kindly priest, Valjean uses the money to become a better man. However, the relentless inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) constantly pursues the former prisoner convinced he cannot change his ways. Amidst the toil to keep his identity a secret and benefit his community, Valjean comes in contact with the bereft Fantine (Anne Hathaway) who is forced into prostitution in order to provide for Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) her only daughter. Vowing to help Fantine, Valjean takes Cosette under his protection. Together the two face the dogged Javert, a rebellion in France, and Cosette's love for Marius (Eddie Redmayne).
Review: Les Miserables is a bold, sweeping, and beautiful rendition of the classic musical from Academy Award winning director Tom Hooper. Rife with fantastic acting performances, captivating music, and brilliant set design, Les Miserables proves to be the best movie musical since Chicago and perhaps one of the best of all time.
While I usually believe that too many cooks ruin the pot when it comes to screenplays, scriptwriters William Nicholson, Alain Boubil, Claude-Michel Schoenberg, and Herbert Kretzmer do a near flawless job of breathing new life into the musical. Hooper made the innovative choice to have the actors sing live and then put in the orchestral music after the fact, rather than have the songs recorded in post production. While some felt the idea was misguided I think it was a colossal success and I applaud Hooper for making such a bold choice. I particularly liked the opening song "Look Down" and the very funny "Master of the House."
Danny Cohen's cinematography masterfully captures the beauty and majesty of 18th century France which owes a large debt to the spectacular set and costume designers of Les Miserables. Undoubtedly the film will be sure to capture a few Oscars in those categories when the Academy Awards airs in a few weeks.
Speaking of Oscars, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway's nominations are well deserved. Jackman's Valjean is the perfect foil for the law minded Javert played by Russell Crowe. Don't believe the negative criticism about Crowe by the way. His acting and singing while not nearly as good as Hathaway or Jackman is still very good and I thought he made for a wonderful Javert. It is simply stunning the transformation that Jackman goes through from destitute convict to well to do business man and surrogate father. Not to mention he can sing. If it wasn't for Daniel Day-Lewis' performance in Lincoln he'd probably be the front runner for the Best Actor award. (Although admittedly I have not seen Joaquin Phoenix's performance in The Master which I hear is equally impressive.) As for Hathaway you might as well box up the Best Supporting Actress Award right now. Her portrayal of the destitute and tragic Fantine is one for the ages and her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" is one of the best musical performances ever caught on film.
My only complaint with Les Miserables is that it seems to drag in spots and is slightly too long. It also is slightly bombastic at times and the social injustice aspect of the movie is about as subtle as a hammer to the head.
These are minor faults however and doesn't prevent a movie, whose literal translation means "the miserable," from being simply wonderful.
My rating: 9/10
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