Review of Les Misérables (1998) by Nicks T — 23 Dec 2014

A beautiful expression of mercy, compassion and forgiveness in the midst of tragedy and great evil. Phenomenally acted and wonderfully filmed, one of the greatest cinematic triumphs in adapting a piece of literature. The casting for this picture is phenomenal, Neeson and Rush seem born for their parts, and the supporting cast is excellent as well. The script condenses the literary masterpiece masterfully, crafting an emotionally potent and morally rich storyline that will leave only the most unfeeling of audiences unmoved. Cinematography is excellent, and the musical score is exquisite. This film deserves to be better known for its noble heart, impassioned performances and emotional heft.

Addendum: my appreciation for this film only grows upon each subsequent rewatch. I particularly enjoy how the political and cultural subtexts are simply a setting, the story shunning delving too deeply into the cultural context. What matters here are the individual people, their hearts and souls. In the grand scheme of this story, the swirling political tensions are unimportant at best, and one could read the portrayal of the revolutionaries, so often glorified in other screen portrayals, as downright cynical. A daring move that I think pays off dividends, keeping the focus solely on the core individuals of the story (as well as making an interesting philosophical statement).