This explains why I haven’t seen Les Miserables and why I don’t really want to see it. First reason? It’s an opera and I don’t like opera. It is based on the Victor Hugo novel I didn’t like in High School.
Despite what anyone tells you, it is an opera, except it lacks the great voices that make real opera tolerable. How do I know it’s opera? Because they never talk. They sing, using a thing called recitative (pronounced retch-a-ta-TEE-va) instead of talking normally. Also known by its Italian name “recitativo” ([retʃitaˈtiːvo]), it is a style of delivery used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas in which a singer adopts the rhythms of ordinary speech — except it’s singing, sort of. Not melodic singing. Not rhythmic either. Just warbling along when simple speaking would do nicely. In operetta or musical comedy, they talk. Opera is too self-important for anything as lowly as speech. The whole thing is based on a story that didn’t make sense when I read it in French 40 years ago and classic, shmassic, it’s still stupid.
Sorry, what do I know? I mean so what if it doesn’t make sense? It’s a classic, damn it. It doesn’t have to make sense. It just has to be something you are absolutely required to read or else be considered illiterate and a Philistine. You don’t have to really like it. You merely have to nod knowingly when it is mentioned so that everyone can assume you liked it. Then they will wonder what’s wrong with them because they didn’t like it but can’t admit it without looking stupid.
It’s just like that naked emperor whose lack of clothing nobody will admit. You can’t say you don’t love a classic. It’s against the rules. It’s … uncivilized. Uncool, y’know?
But just so you don’t think I don’t appreciate what this is really about, I’m giving you this great picture of Hugh Jackman. Now you won’t feel cheated after spending all that money to see the movie when you didn’t like the book or the music. I understand. You felt you had to do it or be considered boorish. Can’t have that, can we.
Even when it moves to the small screen, it rarely lessens the impact of the cinematic spectacle that has moved audiences to applause and cheers across the globe. “Les Misérables” was the crowd pleasing hit of the awards season with countless nominations and now this adaptation of this Broadway smash that tells the tell of an ex-prisoner, a destitute factory worker and a vicious law enforcement officer in the backdrop of the French Revolution is now available for all to enjoy on every format imaginable.
This musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel takes us to 19th century France where Prisoner 24301 otherwise known as Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) breaks his parole to begin a new life for himself while on the run from the ruthless policeman Javert (Russell Crowe) who has been tracking him for decades. The two men reconnect later right when Valjean agrees to care for the daughter of one his factory workers Fantine (Anne Hathaway). Valjean and his new ward, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) begin their new life together until years later in a revolutionary France, Valjean and Javert cross paths once again.
While this story is an obvious crowd pleaser that does transfer over to the screen with a fair bit of ease, it’s also not a project that every director can handle. Tom Hooper has a solid yet occasionally unspectacular track record as a director but after watching the pomp and the spectacle of “Les Misérables”, it’s easy to see that it may have been a little too big for him to handle. The staging of each musical number ranged anywhere from epic in scope to downright pedestrian in nature. He overused the close up shot on a number of the songs and the set design at times looked like it was set design for the stage and not the screen. That combined with some editing oddities, historical incongruities and song mix choices that caused the occasional hiccup that mildly distracts you from the overall narrative, it surprisingly never stops you from enjoying it over all thanks to some incredibly strong performances that draw you right back in when something in the visual fabric of it all gets you distracted.
If there was a better Hollywood star that could have played Jean Valjean then Hugh Jackman, please send me an e-mail and tell me because I can’t think of one. The strongest vocalist in the group, he carries the bulk of the group musical numbers and shines in the return to his Broadway roots. As Javert; Russell Crowe was actually quite good, delivering a menacing yet conflicted vibe all throughout his character, although I was quite surprised as they never really bothered to hide some of his vocal deficiencies that were incredibly noticeable in group numbers. Anne Hathaway shines as Fantine as does Amanda Seyfried as the older Cosette, with the marvelous Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as Thénardier and Madame Thénardier, however the real gems in this ensemble come from some of the supporting players. A familiar face in a number of productions before this one, Eddie Redmayne deserves to become a household name after his gripping turn as Marius and in her film debut lifted from the latest London production and 25th anniversary concert of the play, keep an eye on Samantha Barks in the small yet key role of Éponine who turns a lot of heads in the short time she is on screen and is a triple threat star in the making.
The picture and sound quality on the Blu-Ray were first-rate as expected and the special features on this Blu-Ray include 6 behind the scenes featurettes about the making of the film, the stars, certain key scenes and shooting the film while singing live right on set as well as a look Victor Hugo’s original masterpiece and a feature-length commentary from director Tom Hooper.
“Les Misérables” is not a film that will ever really live up to the countless stage adaptations considering how beloved it is across the globe but these unique artisans adapted to make a very epic cinematic adaptation of this epic musical in spite of the occasional moment that takes you out of the narrative and feeling a little too rigid at times. However when the emotion is flying at the appropriate levels, the end results on the screen are simply electric..
“Les Misérables” is now available to rent on DVD & Blu-Ray at video stores everywhere, as well as via all major on demand providers. You can also find it for purchase at all major retailers like HMV, iTunes and amazon.ca.
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You hear that music building in your heart, that swell of emotion coming up from inside you knowing that anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks holiday is going to be quickly upon most of us in some way shape or form very, very soon. During the days off, a lot of people will be heading out to the movie theatres to catch the latest and greatest offerings, and opening Christmas Day is the big screen adaptation of one of the bigger musical productions to have ever hit the stage. Don’t ‘Look Down’ rather look up and marvel at “Les Misérables”.
I read the original book — the huge tome by Victor Hugo — years ago in French (not by choice!) and have clung to an irrational resentment of the story ever since. It is not Victor Hugo‘s fault that my French prof decided I had to read it in a language at which I was essentially inept.
Perhaps I shall give in and see this version. Time to give up childish resentment and let bygones be bygones. Maybe.
With camera in hand, exploring European lands, cultures, food, and drink...mostly with a plan, but sometimes enjoying the adventure of just getting lost.
