Les Miserables (2012)

Les Miserables (2012) 

Les Miserables (2012) 

The much anticipated movie adaptation of "Les Misérables " has arrived, and director Tom Hooper deserves praise for infusing Victor Hugo's iconic story of Jean Valjean with drama and profound emotion. Hugh Jackman is superb as the former thief who is pursued relentlessly by his nemesis, Inspector Javert (a ruthless and bitter Russell Crowe), but Valjean focuses on redeeming himself by treating others with kindness. Anne Hathaway is affecting as the desolate Fantine, forced into prostitution in order to support her child. Valjean mercifully adopts Cosette, Fantine's daughter, after her mother's untimely death.

Helena Bonham Carter and Sasha Baron Cohen are deliciously over-the-top as the Thénardiers, greedy innkeepers who steal from their customers and extort cash from Fantine for Cosette's upkeep while they keep the lonely girl in rags. Samantha Barks's show-stopping solo, "On My Own," is thrilling. Eddie Redmayne and Amanda Seyfried are appealing as Marius and the adult Cosette. Finally, the wonderful Colm Wilkinson lights up the screen in his brief appearance as the Bishop.

Why see this film if you have already taken in the Broadway show? First, Hooper distills the essence of the plot without getting bogged down in extraneous exposition. He elicits terrific performances from actors whose faces and voices are beautifully expressive. Since much of the dialogue is sung, it is worth pointing out that the sound quality is excellent and the performers take pains to speak and sing distinctly (not a given in today's films). Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's score and Herbert Kretchmer's lyrics are often soaring, at other times tear-filled and poignant, and always unforgettable.

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Les Miserables (2012)

Les Miserables Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack

Les Miserables Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack

Les Miserables Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack

I never imagined that I would write anything less than a glowing review of this album, but I'm afraid I must do just that. I understand that this is a "highlights" album, but how on earth is "Do You Hear the People Sing" not a highlight?

As for the music that is present, it's good, but it's hard for me to hear the songs being "acted" rather than sung. I'm sure this will make for a fantastic film, but it doesn't make for an amazing listening experience. I never expected for Jackman to equal Colm Wilkinson or Crowe to equal Philip Quast, yet I still feel disappointed. (As a sidenote, Eddie Redmayne has exceeded my expectations, Samantha Barks is as wonderful as I hoped, and I was thrilled to hear Wilkinson as the Bishop.)
Les Miserables Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack

Illustrated Edition (Unabridged and Annotated) [Kindle Edition]

Illustrated Edition (Unabridged and Annotated) [Kindle Edition]

Illustrated Edition (Unabridged and Annotated) [Kindle Edition]

This may well be the best novel I have ever read. I am comparing it to Anna Karenina and War and Peace which I recently finished. Previously, I had thought Michener's Hawaii and The Source were up there in the top 1 or two. But, the moral compass of this book, in spite of rather lengthy philosophical diversions from the storyline, was very strong. In the end, it was as moving as the musical upon which it is based. But, it takes work and time. When staying on task the story line is exciting and dramatic. His characters are so well and deeply drawn that they became a part of my psyche and of course, that level of familiarity and empathy is what in the end moved me.
Illustrated Edition (Unabridged and Annotated) [Kindle Edition]