I saw Les Mis!
Musical adaptions are difficult to pull off for a variety of reasons. They are seldom any good, and when they are, they still tend to be a mixed bag. When it comes to Les Mis, you've got nearly three straight hours of singing. Even more difficult. So I've been watching the progress of this film from the time it was announced until its release, anxious for each new clip or screenshot or anything that would clue me into how good it would be. I freaked out when Taylor Swift was rumored as Eponine and rejoiced when it turned out to be false. I fretted over casting choices, worried about what they'd cut, but with each new bit of information, I became more and more excited about the film. I had decided that it would either be really good or really awful.
It was really good.
This isn't to say that it was perfect, but the film not only stays true to the heart of the musical, but to Victor Hugo's novel as well. In fact, many of the (minor) changes to the score, some background details, and the added dialogue actually brings it closer to the book. The changes that don't, however, also make sense (I Dreamed a Dream is now placed __after__ Lovely Ladies, which was brilliant idea and I wish it would transfer over to the stage show.
And speaking of I Dreamed a Dream, Anne Hathaway was __fantastic__ as Fantine. Not only could she actually sing the score, but she pretty much broke my heart into a million pieces and I can honestly say I have never cried that much over Fantine's story in my life.
Colm Wilkinson, the original Jean Valjean (other than the French Concept Album), makes a brief appearance as the Bishop of Digne, which was an absolutely beautiful touch. (The Bishop has always been one of my favourite parts of the book and the musical) I got shivers when he passed on the candlesticks to Hugh Jackman, it was almost like passing the torch.
And while we're on the subject of Jackman.....
I am having mixed feelings. He wasn't bad. He certainly wan't bad. I have a very hard time articulating what makes a good Valjean to me. It has nothing to do with quality of voice, as Colm Wilkinson is my number 1 Jean Valjean of all time (and that will never change) while I really dislike Alfie Boe's performance. Vocally, there was a bit too much nasal, and his Bring Him Home, although emotional, did not sound nearly beautiful enough.
Yet there are some scenes where he absolutely is Jean Valjean. He is convincing as Valjean the convict, and even more convincing in the quieter, more emotional scenes involving Cosette (especially with Little Cosette. Awww) . However, he really sold me with Valjean's Confession (I wish this was on more cast recordings. It's one of my favourite bits in the whole show and so heartbreaking) and his performance in the Finale was absolutely heart-wrenching. However, he did not rip open his shirt during Who am I, so that was very disappointing.
Crowe was....not good. He wasn't awful. He wasn't good. He was the meh-est Javert I have ever seen. Javert is one of my favourite characters, and I didn't feel anything about Crowe's Javert at all. He couldn't seem to emote and sing at the same time. None of the cast was really vocally stellar (Except Sam Barks, more on her later), but at least they had the emotion down right. His Javert was just boring. He brought nothing to the character, and that kind of sucks.
Let's talk about the Thenardiers. I don't like Helena Bonham Carter as an actress at all (I'm still sore about her being a lousy Ms. Lovett), and I do like Sacha Baron Cohen (He was probably the best part of the Sweeney movie) and they do alright here. I guess. The humor of Master of the House didn't translate well from stage to screen; when I saw it live, I laughed a lot but here I maybe chuckled a bit.
And while we're talking about the Thenardiers, Sam Barks was pretty good. I don't like what the musical does with Eponine's character at all (she's way more interesting and less of a one-note character in the book). She's performed the role on West End before and does as well as anybody.
Speaking further of Thenardiers, Gavroche was excellent. It's very difficult to play the character without sentimentalizing him too much, Daniel Huttlestone played Gavroche like the little tough guy he is, so good for him!
Aaron Tviet was a darn good Enjolras, and the rest of the barricade boys were pretty much a where's waldo type game called: "Spot the West End actor." They were all fantastic though. I only wish there was more time to expand on their characters.
Eddie Redmayne was derpy and annoying, like Marius should be. I really really hate Marius, but he does Empty Chairs at Empty Tables justice.
Anna Seyfried sounded like she was being shaken when she sung.
I feel like...the whole move Tom Hooper just grabbed a camcorder, shoved it in people's faces, and shouted: "SING! SING FOR MEEEE!" and that's how he filmed the solos. Occasionally, the lyrical changes seem off, confusing, or unneeded.
But it was a good film. It was one of the better stage-to-screen adaptions out there, and there are so many wonderful little details that improve on the original musical and, if not bring it closer to the book, closer to the spirit of Hugo at least. And, to be honest, it made me cry a lot.
The Finale was probably one of the most beautiful things I have seen in a movie and I won't spoil it by trying to describe it.
All in all, a flawed but worthy adaption.
4 stars.
(PS. Heed the PG:13 rating. It's very intense and very emotional)
He played the typical Nicholas Sparks male love interest, so there isn't really much to say about his character other than that he definitely appeals to girls with a soft spot for sappy romances. Unfortunately, I am one of those girls. However, as a whole the movie didn't impress me. There was really no substance to John and Savannah's relationship. I didn't really grasp or connect with the message of the story. Without the plotline with John's dad, I don't think there would have been much point to the movie at all. I don't really know what I was expecting, but I felt disappointed nonetheless.
