Review of Les Misérables (2012) by Valerie P — 12 Dec 2013

I guess I'm unsure what to say about this one. I wanted to see it so badly, having enjoyed watching it on stage and fondly remembering the 1998 version. It seems a bit like the aftermath of Christmas, when you have finally reached the end of your countdown and then you think to yourself, "Is that it?".

The trouble with films that have such a great build-up is that our expectations run even higher. I am such a fan of both Anne Hatheway and Eddie Redmayne, and the cast was chock full of other fabulous names as well.

The songs were viseral, the suffering palpable, and the grit realistically gritty. I did enjoy the film, the way you enjoy a familiar and often revisted story. Yes, Hopper's version brought a few new angles to light. I am not quite sure if Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter's comic relief scenes really worked for me. I can appreciate what the vision and direction was with that one, but it just seemed to be in such stark contrast to the meat of the story. At times it felt as if I were watching several different films all rolled into one.

Hugh Jackman's performance was of particular note, in my opinion. He seemed so very mature in this role. There wasn't even a sniff of Wolverine about him.

Good film, but perhaps not what I was geared up for.