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Les Misrables, Not So Miserable

Kyle Lorek Many may know of my unhealthy obsession with Les Misrables, but I ask what is unhealthy about being completely engulfed in a story that revolves around so much love, righteousness, hope, and faith? That is something that I thought when leaving this current film version of the beloved musical seen by millions and loved by millions. Many critics are focusing on the technical aspects most of all, which to me is a real shame because this movie is entirely focused on the numerous messages within the story. And that is the purpose of a movie; to tell a story. Hands down, Les Misrables has captured the spirit of so many others and myself and would be a shame to focus on the nitpick qualities of the film. So here is my review of what I thought and felt. There lived a man whose name was Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) who was imprisoned for 19 years after stealing a loaf of bread and attempting to escape a few times. After stealing from a bishop, the bishop forgives him and explains that Jean Valjean belongs to God now, which begins Valjeans transformation into a righteous, honest, and faithful man. However, Valjean is continuously pursued by ruthless police inspector, Javert (Russell Crowe), who will stop at nothing to imprison him for life, even if it means killing him. After factory worker, Fantine (Anne Hathaway), looses her job and takes a tremendous fall into the life of a prostitute, Valjean (now the mayor of Montreuil) takes care of her and decides to take it upon himself to raise her child Cosette (Amanda Seyfried). From here the rest of the plot unfolds. Hugh Jackman had it all from the singing to the acting. He brought the character of Valjean to life and made him into a person that everyone wants to be, but it is easier said than done. Jackman is the rock and foundation of the film and journeys through it from beginning to end and it is an emotional joyride that he takes us on. Now for Russell Crowe. Crowe took an approach to Javert that no one has ever dared to take before. He contained the intensity of Javerts passion and emotion, but did it as if Javert had his own rules of the law to follow and kept calm and composed. His voice was different, but not bad. Crowes rendition of Stars came across as more of a prayer than a promise, which worked quite nicely with the cinematography. The way that these two actors played off each other was perfect. At times I thought, This could be a little bit more intense. But then I thought back to something one of my directors once told me that sometimes little is better. After thinking this it made me realize that the emotions they displayed were just enough, making the relationship and circumstances more realistic. Anne Hathaway nailed Fantine to no surprise. Her I Dreamed A Dream was true to the lyrics she sang and the bottom of the heap she fell into. I got a little teary eyed during this number, but it wasnt until SPOILER Fantines Death that I really started crying. I enjoyed Eddie Redmaynes (Marius) voice quite a bit, although during Empty

Chairs At Empty Tables I was extremely distracted by his trembling jaw. However, his duet with ponine (Samantha Barks) drew me to tears immediately and completely turned into a heart wrenching number. There is a moment right before SPOILER ponine kicks the bucket where her hand is on his face as if she is finally going to kiss the man she had loved from a distance and then dies. Also something that not many know, Gavroche (Daniel Huttlestone), the street urchin, is the brother of ponine, and once she dies they show him with a tear running down his cheek. Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) was right on. Her singing was great and her vibrato was not distracting to me whatsoever. If anything, it made her sound even better. The Thnardiers were sublime! Helen Bonham Carter (Madame Thnardier) was good, as you would expect, but my main props goes to the man with the chops; Sacha Baron Cohen (Thnardier). I have never seen such a fabulous Thnardier. Cohen played the role more sinister than silly (I cannot stand the silly take on Thnardier). There is a line between silly and just plain stupid and many Thnardiers are not able to tell the difference. However, Sacha nails the comic relief with the miserable times. The sets and shots were superb and realistic. The only complaint I truly have is the sound. I imagined the sound a lot louder and surrounding you, but instead it was just there. But that is easily fixed for me. I will just purchase the DVD when it comes out and blast the speakers. Tom Hooper did an excellent job staying true to the musical and mixing it with aspect of the book. This man deserves a second Oscar for best director and everyone deserved best picture on staying true to the story and making it as true and realistic as possible. I will not give this part away, but there is a moment during the instrumental part of the Bring Him Home (reprise) where Javert is searching for Valjean that just made me blubber like a baby. You will know it when you see it and just to clarify it occurs during the swell of The summers die one by one. How soon they fly and is very touching. The reason this film is so superb is because of the story it tells. I thank God that Victor Hugo thought of this man who stole a loaf of bread to save his sisters son and was imprisoned for 19 years to be set free and become a new man. Valjeans fight to be a good a righteous man is something that I think about everyday so that perhaps I can be that way. You must do what is right even if it is the hardest thing you will ever do in your life. To love another person is to see the face of God, is one of the most important lyrics from this story and I hope they ring loud and clear for all to hear because this is what life is about. So people can continue to be freaked out by my obsession or see it as unhealthy, but I see it as the healthiest thing I can have in my life. And I will treasure the gift of this film, musical, and book, and take it with me wherever I go in life because at the end of the day, the wisdom it brings is what is truly important. Do yourself a favor, see this film, let it touch your heart and be open to the new discoveries Les Misrables has to offer. (I give it 5 out of 5 Javert stars)

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