Les Miserables Review
Les Miserables is a novel by Victor Hugo, set in the June Rebellion. It is said to be one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. It has since become a theatre play, and a film. This review is about the film, which is directed by Tom Hooper.
I personally thought the film was brilliant, full of drama and action, not a single dull moment. The cast was fantastic, Russell Crowe as Javert, a prison guard, who was in charge of Hugh Jackman’s character, Jean Valjean, a prison convict who broke his parole. The opening is very dramatic, reflecting the era that this particular film is set in. As it was set in the 1800’s, it was quite a rough time, especially for the poor. As some of the main characters were poor, we see from their perspective of how that affected their lifestyle. For example, Fantine, played by Anne Hathaway, was a factory girl who required extra money for her daughter, Cosette, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried, who she left in the care of two innkeepers, the Thenardiers, played by Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen, had to become a prostitute in order to gain money. This is what would have happened for young women in that situation. This story entwines the adventures of a convict who broke his parole, in which the prison guard is still looking for him after several years. The convict meets this woman who only needed money for her daughter, gave her last wish for the convict to help her daughter. So he finds her daughter and after several years, they meet Marius Pontmercy, portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, who is in the revolution. Cosette fell in love with Marius and at the end of the film they end up getting married. It is truly a lovely film, filled with love, drama and action.
The music to the film is inspired by the musical. I believe every song is there. The songs in this film are truly magical, every song having its own drama and theme to it. My favourite song in this is “Do You Hear The People Sing?” as the action behind it makes it extremely dramatic, as well as it building up slowly, as if sung by ghosts, instead of it just being one volume of sound. Most of the cast sing this song, as it is the last song played in the film. Another favourite is “Master of the House” as Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter make it so funny and interesting.
The acting in this film is superb. Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe acting as opposites really worked, as they were like classic hero-villain stereotypes. Anne Hathaway also played very well in her part; she really expressed her character well and allowed us to see exactly how it was like for someone in that era to live. Amanda Seyfried as older Cosette played a very rich and attractive woman, which showed us how people lived when they were rich in that era. Eddie Redmayne played a rebel, in that era would have been involved in the French Revolution, who was also secretly rich. His character playing was very good also.
The entire film was full of wonder and drama. I would definitely recommend this film to everyone.
5/5 stars
*****