Les Miserables

December 25, 2012

Jays Rating:
Actors: / / /
Director:

With over 27 years on the stage being viewed by 60 million people, the musical Les Miserables jumps onto the big screen. The setting is just prior to the French Revolution and prisoner 24601 Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is released from prison after serving 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. (Talk about stiff jail time.) In an act of rebellion, Valjean breaks parole and runs to another city to make a new life for himself. Unfortunately, the man who put him in prison Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) pursues him from city to city looking for him. (I was wondering why the inspector had nothing better to do with his life? ) Valjean becomes mayor of the town of Vigau and he also runs a factory that makes rosaries. In that factory, is a woman named Fantine (Ann Hathway) who is fired during a mishap. When she becomes sick, Valjean adopts her daughter who grows up into a lovely woman named Cosette (Amanda Seyfried). This film will definitely see nominations during award season. Anne Hathway’s singing is absolutely fantastic with Hugh Jackman sounding just as incredible. All the actors were great, but once in a while it sounded like Russell Crowe was singing while chewing tobacco. (Obviously I couldn’t see if he had a lump in his mouth.) In a change of pace, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter played innkeepers that provided some great comic relief. Director Tom Hooper hit a home run when he had all actors sing their songs while acting out their part instead of lip sinking and prerecording their songs. The songs were sung with such emotion, I felt like the music was in the moment. I’m giving this film an A- rating.

This movie has been given a PG13 rating by the MPAA

Although I am blind, I can appreciate a good movie as well as sighted individuals.
I rely more on a good story line than special effects.