Review of Les Misérables (2012) by Gordon H — 24 Jan 2016

Fantastic! Hugh Jackman Deserves an Academy Award!

Originally written December 25, 2012--.

This film tells the story of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), an ex-convict who, inspired by a kindly bishop, decides to turn his life around. He eventually becomes mayor of a town in France and owner of a factory in that town. He is always alert to the risk of being captured again by police inspector Javert (Russell Crowe), who is ruthless in hunting down law-breakers, believing they cannot change for the better. One of Valjean's factory workers, Fantine (Anne Hathaway), blames him for her being cast into a life of prostitution. When she dies, he feels responsible and agrees to take care of her illegitimate daughter, Cosette, though he must first escape Javert. Later, when Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) is grown, they are swept up in the political turmoil in Paris, which culminates in the Paris Uprising of 1832.

I thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic motion picture version of this classic Broadway musical! Hugh Jackman deserves the Best Actor Academy Award for his incredibly emotional and heartfelt portrayal as Jean Valjean in this classic story of redemption known all over the world. Very impressed with Anne Hathaway's tragic portrayal of Fatima's helplessness as well. Her rendition of the song made famous by Susan Boyle, "I Dreamed A Dream," was nothing short of heartbreaking! Must see!