Review of Les Misérables (2012) by Renzo V — 27 Jan 2014

"LES MISERABLES".

- This 2012 epic musical drama is directed by Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) and based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. 'Les Misérables' still is one of the most a popular musical productions all over the world and has more than one movie adaptation. For 158 minutes you'll get swapped away in a melodramatic love story set during the June Rebellion of France. Although I enjoyed the storyline and the setting was impeccable, for me the movie was too long and I had some trouble to keep focused. You'll also need to adjust that there's a lot of singing. I did like the performances of the top cast: Hugh Jackman (X-men), Russell Crowe (Gladiator), Anne Hathaway (The Dark Knight Rises), Amanda Seyfried (Red Riding Hood), Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter saga) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat). The movie won three Academy Awards.

After 19 years of imprisoned labor Jean Valjean (Jackman), who stole a bread to feed his sisters son, is set on parole. When he shortly after his release tries to rob a priest, policeman Javert (Crowe) swears to hunt him down.

Eight years later, Valjean has started a new life and is now not only the owner of a profiting factory, but also the mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer. One of his workers, the beautiful Fantine (Hathaway), is fired for sending money to her illegitimate daughter who lives with the Thénardier family (Baron Cohan and Bonham Carter). The poor woman is desperate to get money to support her child and sells her hair and teeth before she becomes a prostitute. During a fight with a horny man, Valjean steps in to protect her from the police and takes her to the hospital. Unwillingly he is recognized by Javert, who wants to take him into custody. On her deathbed, Valjean promises Fantine to take care of her daughter Cossette.

Nine years later, Valjean and the teenaged Cossette (Seyfried) are living a secret life, trying to help out the poor. During the rebellion in Paris, they will be faced with Javert one more time...