Okay, I know I write a lot about superheroes and hockey players, but I'll make a little confession: I saw the 2012 "Les Miserables" movie. First, a little background. "Les Miserables", first published in 1862, is considered one of the greatest literary works of all time. Centering around a convict-turned-Samaritan named Jean Valjean, Victor Hugo's novel about the societal ills of 19th-century France has become a timeless piece of literature, the themes it addresses are still relevant today.
Then, in the 80s, somebody came up with the bright idea of turning this 1,000+ page Brick into a two-and-a-half-hour musical. What could possibly go wrong? Well, not much, apparently. It's widely considered to be one of the most popular stage shows of all time. And then somebody decided to make a movie based on that musical!
British director Tom Hooper directs this star-studded affair, starring Hugh Jackman (AKA Wolverine), Russell Crowd (Gladiator), Anne Hathaway (Catwoman), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix), Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) and even Colm Wilkenson (the original Jean Valjean). Oh, and did I mention the actors all sang their lines... LIVE ON SET?
The story follows former convict Jean Valjean, hardened by 19 years in prison, as he struggles to rebuild his life while avoiding the determined Inspector Javert, raising his adopted daughter Cosette and being an all-around nice guy. Oh, and there's a rebellion in Paris going on that looks to change Valjean's life. Oh, and his adopted daughter has fallen for one of the revolutionaries and vice-versa. So yeah, real simple to follow (not).
Okay, here's the thing. This is an adaptation of a musical that is an adaptation of a massive book affectionately known as "The Brick". There are a LOT of characters and a LOT of subplots to be stuffed into this thing along with all the socio-political commentary. At times it works, but at times it doesn't. But the first two acts (Valjean's release from prison and his eventual adoption of Cosette) are a little jumpy. Granted, it settles down eventually, but it sort of costs some character development.
Still, the basics are kept. Valjean is a tormented man, struggling to change his life and become better whilst avoiding the long arm of the law, and Inspector Javert is chasing after him every time he comes across the guy. Those two are basically the characters who drive the story. I'll give Hugh Jackman credit for both acting and singing (more on the singing later) and portraying Valjean's confused psyche rather well both in lyrics and in facial expressions. Crowe, however, as many have pointed out, is... stiff.
Now, this is not that bad. As one Internet reviewer pointed out, Crowe is a rock singer surrounded by Broadway and West End singers, and his usual acting style is pretty stiff already. And Javert is a hard lawman, determined to uphold the law and anyone who breaks it is evil from the moment he commits his crime to the day he dies, no flexibility! So, with this in mind, he actually does a pretty decent job.
Much of the rest of the cast is a little hit-or-miss. Anne Hathaway I agree did a heck of a job as Fantine and there is a good reason she won an Oscar for her role. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter play the Thenardiers, two corrupt inn-keepers who abuse Fantine's daughter Cosette while singing a pretty silly song about how they rip off their customers. They're Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, they always play those types.
As for the rebels, they're certainly memorable. I did like Daniel Huttlestone's rendition of the mischievous 10-year-old Gavroche, who at one points sings both to his friends and the audience about how bad things have been in Paris ever since the first French Revolution. Aside from him, the revolutionary I liked the best was Aaron Tveit as the passionate Enjolras. Eddie Redmayne as Marius was a little on the miss side, but I did like him singing mournfully.
Now then, onto the production. This is a little tricky. Because the actors sing live on set, it can get a little weird. You will hear their voice going flat on occasion but they show the emotions very well. But... that's also because the camera is up in their face about 75% of the time! Look, I know you want to show emotion, but I could see Eddie Redmayne's mustache whiskers for cryin' out loud! I know you want to be intimate, but there is such a thing as too intimate!
But, it works at times. The "I Dreamed a Dream" scene is where it especially works and you can see Anne Hathaway nail the performance in one take. And yes, it does play on your heartstrings, wonky production aside. There is subtlety, emotion and quiet moments in these movies, just the way a pretty dark and depressing book should be adapted (take notes, Baz Luhrmann!). Yes, I did get a little teary-eyed at moments.
And yes, when you think about it, it does make sense for them to sing live on set. The "Les Miserables" musical is performed almost entirely in song. it would make little sense for the actors to sing their lines in-studio and then come in and try to act. Even the actors have admitted it!
So what do I think? Well, I think they could have done a little better. The production and cinematography could have been better, but I do think that they were able to fit in as much emotion and social commentary the book held as they could. So basically, I'm split on the movie just like the rest of the critics. If you like it, fine, and if you don't, fine. It's not perfect, but it's not horrible, either. It's just okay.
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