Review: Les Miserables
Step aside, Susan Boyle. Anne Hathaway just made that song her own.
For this new adaptation of Les Miserables, the award winning musical which began in 1985, would not be nearly as successful without the stunning performances given by the central cast. It's a little ragged round the edges and director Tom Hooper certainly could have trimmed the fat - by the apparently rousing finale full of waving French flags, you may find yourself impatiently waving the white flag of tired defeat at the running time.
Yet despite its flaws, the largest of which being the overly indulgent length, Les Miserables translates pretty well to the big screen. Set during 19th century France, Hugh Jackman leads the proceedings as Jean Valjean, an honest man convicted to years of imprisonment for one small crime. As he and his fellow slaves hatefully glare upon the symbolic might of Russell Crowe's law-enforcing officer Javert, it quickly becomes clear that this is not the sort of Rock Of Ages musical where the characters simply sing and dance their cares away - their cares are almost dragging the song out of their throats, note by note.
Years later, he breaks parole and becomes a new man, agreeing to use his new-found wealth to care for factory worker Fantine's (Anne Hathaway) young daughter - a girl who will change his future.
Hugh Jackman carries the plot on his shoulders - from convict to mayor and eventually unwilling participant in a student-led uprising, Valjean is the driving force behind the narrative's development. Only he and Javert remain the constants in the story and its 17 year span.
Yet despite its flaws, the largest of which being the overly indulgent length, Les Miserables translates pretty well to the big screen. Set during 19th century France, Hugh Jackman leads the proceedings as Jean Valjean, an honest man convicted to years of imprisonment for one small crime. As he and his fellow slaves hatefully glare upon the symbolic might of Russell Crowe's law-enforcing officer Javert, it quickly becomes clear that this is not the sort of Rock Of Ages musical where the characters simply sing and dance their cares away - their cares are almost dragging the song out of their throats, note by note.
Years later, he breaks parole and becomes a new man, agreeing to use his new-found wealth to care for factory worker Fantine's (Anne Hathaway) young daughter - a girl who will change his future.
Hugh Jackman carries the plot on his shoulders - from convict to mayor and eventually unwilling participant in a student-led uprising, Valjean is the driving force behind the narrative's development. Only he and Javert remain the constants in the story and its 17 year span.
It's lucky then that Jackman has never given a finer performance than his turn in Les Miserables. A million miles away from Wolverine, the Aussie shows a superb range with regards to both acting and singing while Russell Crowe, despite lacking the singing ability to match his co-stars, manages to play Javert with fierce purpose. He's like the Moriarty to Jackman's Sherlock Holmes - before long, his entire existence is defined by his mission to catch Valjean and bring what he sees to be justice upon him.
As for the rest of the cast, they all reply with unashamedly tear-stricken turns, particularly the newly Oscar-nominated Anne Hathaway - her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream (which amounts to one four minute long close-up) becoming one of the major highlights of the film. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are also welcome additions of comic relief, a factor which is found very scarcely in a story dealing with such, er, misery.
The rest of the music is also incredible, particularly One More Day to which every cast member contributes. Some may be frustrated at the fact that, given its nature as a musical, Les Miserables can be slow as it takes five minutes to perform a song, whereas most films only take a few lines of dialogue to express emotion. That said, the decision to record all of the vocals live on set is one of the most effective directorial decisions of recent years - the movie is given a much more realistic gravity, and the cast have more freedom to naturally perform.
The biggest drawback is completely structural - with such an engrossing and well paced first half, it was almost impossible for the rest to live up to its emotional impact. By the time Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne's star-crossed lovers come around, we're impatiently waiting for the revolutionary battles to begin. Their characters are inherently drippy and their story simply dull compared to the other characters'. That said, when the fight for freedom begins the entire cast battle for supremacy, erupting in a rousing finale unlike any other at those all important barricades. Unfortunately, though, the narrative takes a frustratingly long time to wrap up after its climax, which leaves a bitter taste at the end.
Summary
Well produced, performed and directed, Les Miserables is the musical to trump all musicals. Rousing, exciting and emotional, the film's success is mostly down to its impeccably well cast characters. Hugh Jackman has never been better, whilst Anne Hathaway's Oscar nomination is well deserved. Fans of the original musical won't be disappointed as director Tom Hooper ensures the movie highlights all of the deserving storylines, and the major songs are all there - that said, casual movie fans may be frustrated at the stuffed running time, and those who aren't partial to musicals may have had their fill for the rest of the year.
Overall though, Les Miserables is a stirring, ambitious and striking production - a brilliant example for all future musicals to live by.
8/10 - Great
See it if you liked: Moulin Rouge (2001), Sweeney Todd (2007), Great Expectations (2012)
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