"Les Miserables" Review

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Miserables is a desperate tale of the human condition under immense amounts of suffering and despair. It is a beautifully shot film with blue hues and impeccable performances.

Les Misérables
Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway
Directed by Tom HooperMy Opinion: Long but not miserable

Most of the performances are fantastic. The always-handsome Hugh Jackman's depiction of Jean Valjean is passionate one: a man weathered by a life of despair yet still hopeful to amend his life. Of course, Anne Hathaway's brief but memorable portrayal of Fontine, a fallen woman desperate enough to sell her own teeth for her child, was disturbing and entirely magnetic. I can't help but ask, however, why were there teeth still in her mouth after she sold her own? I don't think they had dentures then. Perhaps the producers decided that a toothless, bald and malnourished Anne Hathaway would be too grotesque for the public's eye. But the film is quick to obtain a raw grim presence, why stop short?
The feats established by Hathaway and Jackman, while remarkable, overshadow Russell Crowe's performance as the obsessive officer Javert. However, I was still impressed by Crowe: his role is an award-worthy display of terrible casting. Never in my life have I been so anxious for a suicide.
Performances aside, the adaption of Hugo's novel left me teary-eyed but confused about the happenings in the story. The film was so quick to display the performances, it seemed to rush the back story, making the film feel very long upfront. Towards the mid-point, the pieces begin to fall into place; however, the strong political climate is missing. Though the characters are all suffering from the cruel reality of 19th century France, there is very little description of the historical circumstances. I don't need a history lesson, but something that illustrates the political situation beyond a catchy lyric sung by hopeful young men and a single quick shootout would be beneficial.

Though Les Mis has one of the most lovely scores in musical history, I can't see anyone rushing to purchase the soundtrack for Hooper's film. The live singing was impressive and made for a particularly befitting realism, but it wasn't always beautiful. I'm not a musical fanatic and I found the musical style interesting but rather draining.
All in all, Les Mis is a beautiful but endless tale of human suffering. Though I'm glad I watched it, I don't think that I could have gone for the full ride in a theater. However. it's not a bad Red Box pick.