Les Miserables, Universal Pictures
Directed by Tom Hooper
Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne and Samantha Barks
Being a huge fan of the musical 'Les Miserables' since the late eighties, I approached the cinematic version with trepidation. I knew that it would probably not live up to the original production as directed by Trevor Nunn so I tried to view it as a separate work (this meant for example erasing from memory things such as that the character of Javert should have a strong singing voice and not slide over most big notes).
The film is visually stunning at times and the opening first ten minutes shows great promise. Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean gets the audience on side almost immediately and initially you sense an Oscar win could be in sight. Jackman is in fine voice throughout the entire tim, though I think his performance wanes at times due to misguided direction. 'Bring Him Home' has him walking around aimlessly quite a bit. Considering this song is predominantly a prayer, it would have worked better had he just sat there and sung it (similarly to Hathaway's 'I Dreamed A Dream' sequence).
A moment when he first approaches the young Cosette in the wood had the audience at my screening break out in laughter (not the film's intention), and the addition of original song 'Suddenly' which soon follows, seems unnecessary for any reason other than trying to make a grab for a Best Original Song Oscar nod. On the flip side his work in the final scene of the film is heartbreakingly beautiful. Overall a fine performance.
Anne Hathaway is enjoyable as Fantine, though I very much felt like I was watching an actor giving a 'performance' rather than her being the character.
Eddie Redmayne (impressive in My Week With Marilyn) gives the standout performance for me. He is perfect as Marius and has just the right mix of spoken word and strong singing vocals. Whenever he, (and Aaron Tveit as Enjorlras) sang I could not help but wonder at just how brilliant this film could have been had other key actors been able to match their performances vocally.
Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are suited well to the Thenardiers and bring the required comic relief. Samantha Barks gives a fine performance as Eponine (though unfortunately she is not allowed to shine as much as she should do in 'On My Own', which is the character's pivotal moment, as the entire lead in to this song has been cut, thus not allowing her to build the song as it requires).
As expected, many cuts have been made in order to abridge the musical. Some choices advance the film, whilst others make the film feel rushed and to a Les Mis novice might be confusing. Some lyrics have been changed and this is puzzling as in many cases the original lyrics seem to serve the story much better.
Much has been made of the fact that all the singing was done live on set with minimal enhancement. This makes it feel more realistic but sometimes is also at it's detriment as actor's take longer breaths and pauses than needed which drag some songs out longer than necessary. Occasionally I wished for a fuller orchestration and some studio enhancement on some of the bigger notes.
I enjoyed the design of the film, but sometimes think that less is more and if I saw one face riddled with the plague I must have seen a thousand of them. I am also not quite sure about the 'Lovely Ladies' sequence as I expected the gang of whores to break out into Michael Jackson's Thriller at any point such was their over made up look.
All of that said, when it works, Tom Hooper's 'Les Miserables' is exciting and breathtaking and at times brilliantly executed. It also had me a blubbering mess in the final ten minutes so it has obviously done something right.
7/10
Directed by Tom Hooper
Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne and Samantha Barks
Being a huge fan of the musical 'Les Miserables' since the late eighties, I approached the cinematic version with trepidation. I knew that it would probably not live up to the original production as directed by Trevor Nunn so I tried to view it as a separate work (this meant for example erasing from memory things such as that the character of Javert should have a strong singing voice and not slide over most big notes).
The film is visually stunning at times and the opening first ten minutes shows great promise. Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean gets the audience on side almost immediately and initially you sense an Oscar win could be in sight. Jackman is in fine voice throughout the entire tim, though I think his performance wanes at times due to misguided direction. 'Bring Him Home' has him walking around aimlessly quite a bit. Considering this song is predominantly a prayer, it would have worked better had he just sat there and sung it (similarly to Hathaway's 'I Dreamed A Dream' sequence).
A moment when he first approaches the young Cosette in the wood had the audience at my screening break out in laughter (not the film's intention), and the addition of original song 'Suddenly' which soon follows, seems unnecessary for any reason other than trying to make a grab for a Best Original Song Oscar nod. On the flip side his work in the final scene of the film is heartbreakingly beautiful. Overall a fine performance.
Anne Hathaway is enjoyable as Fantine, though I very much felt like I was watching an actor giving a 'performance' rather than her being the character.
Eddie Redmayne (impressive in My Week With Marilyn) gives the standout performance for me. He is perfect as Marius and has just the right mix of spoken word and strong singing vocals. Whenever he, (and Aaron Tveit as Enjorlras) sang I could not help but wonder at just how brilliant this film could have been had other key actors been able to match their performances vocally.
Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are suited well to the Thenardiers and bring the required comic relief. Samantha Barks gives a fine performance as Eponine (though unfortunately she is not allowed to shine as much as she should do in 'On My Own', which is the character's pivotal moment, as the entire lead in to this song has been cut, thus not allowing her to build the song as it requires).
As expected, many cuts have been made in order to abridge the musical. Some choices advance the film, whilst others make the film feel rushed and to a Les Mis novice might be confusing. Some lyrics have been changed and this is puzzling as in many cases the original lyrics seem to serve the story much better.
Much has been made of the fact that all the singing was done live on set with minimal enhancement. This makes it feel more realistic but sometimes is also at it's detriment as actor's take longer breaths and pauses than needed which drag some songs out longer than necessary. Occasionally I wished for a fuller orchestration and some studio enhancement on some of the bigger notes.
I enjoyed the design of the film, but sometimes think that less is more and if I saw one face riddled with the plague I must have seen a thousand of them. I am also not quite sure about the 'Lovely Ladies' sequence as I expected the gang of whores to break out into Michael Jackson's Thriller at any point such was their over made up look.
All of that said, when it works, Tom Hooper's 'Les Miserables' is exciting and breathtaking and at times brilliantly executed. It also had me a blubbering mess in the final ten minutes so it has obviously done something right.
7/10
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