rating: ★★★★1/2
I loved this movie with a capital L. While I've always been quite partial to a good musical, this was a spectacle unlike any other I've seen. If you aren't usually one for musicals, as I said before, it's easy to forget they're actually singing after a few minutes, because the music is so enchanting, so emotive, really furthering and expanding upon the story - sort of like a voice over, but better. It gives chills. The sets and costumes were wonderful, and although everything was rather dark and dirty, it really gave a feel of what the streets of France would have been like in the early 19th century. The storyline itself is heart wrenching (bring tissues) and the characters are well developed and it's very easy to get attached and empathise with them, especially as they sing away their feelings to the audience. Notable performances include, of course, Fantine's (Anne Hathaway) heartbreaking performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" which brought a tear to every eye in the cinema, and Éponine's (Samantha Barks, who, incidentally, had played Éponine in London in 2010-11, as well as the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert in 2010) sad solo "On My Own."
For me, there was really not much wrong with this film. I can see its two and a half hour run time being an issue for some people, and there are probably a few ways it could have been shortened, but I've seen it twice in the cinema and would happily watch it again, so it wasn't a problem for me. There's a little something for everyone, be it the singing, the story, the beautiful actors (cough Eddie Redmayne) or the bit of comedic relief through M. et Mme. Thénadier (Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter), and the beautifully poignant finale scene will leave everyone full of emotion and ready to wave the red flag of 19th century revolution.
I loved this movie with a capital L. While I've always been quite partial to a good musical, this was a spectacle unlike any other I've seen. If you aren't usually one for musicals, as I said before, it's easy to forget they're actually singing after a few minutes, because the music is so enchanting, so emotive, really furthering and expanding upon the story - sort of like a voice over, but better. It gives chills. The sets and costumes were wonderful, and although everything was rather dark and dirty, it really gave a feel of what the streets of France would have been like in the early 19th century. The storyline itself is heart wrenching (bring tissues) and the characters are well developed and it's very easy to get attached and empathise with them, especially as they sing away their feelings to the audience. Notable performances include, of course, Fantine's (Anne Hathaway) heartbreaking performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" which brought a tear to every eye in the cinema, and Éponine's (Samantha Barks, who, incidentally, had played Éponine in London in 2010-11, as well as the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert in 2010) sad solo "On My Own."
For me, there was really not much wrong with this film. I can see its two and a half hour run time being an issue for some people, and there are probably a few ways it could have been shortened, but I've seen it twice in the cinema and would happily watch it again, so it wasn't a problem for me. There's a little something for everyone, be it the singing, the story, the beautiful actors (cough Eddie Redmayne) or the bit of comedic relief through M. et Mme. Thénadier (Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter), and the beautifully poignant finale scene will leave everyone full of emotion and ready to wave the red flag of 19th century revolution.
Blake
rating: ★★★★
This film sure is a spectacle like no other. 'Powerful' is the word I would use to describe the performances given by the incredible Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman, whose live singing added a whole new dimension to your everyday musical... and made it SO MUCH MORE. Everything about the making of this movie is seamless: costumes, set design, cinematography... all of it makes you feel like you're living through the revolution yourself. The direction by Tom Hooper (also directed a little movie called The King's Speech, you know, if that's something you're into) is wonderful, but I did have some issues with the editing of the film. Unlike Madolyn, I found the length of the film a little uncomfortable (make sure to empty those bladders!) and I felt some scenes, in particular those by Russell Crowe, and Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, could have been cut down substantially. Neverless, this is a once-in-a-lifetime, not-to-be-missed, so-intensely-well-done-I-want-to-weep-a-little-bit film and I urge everyone, everywhere to clear their throats and be ready to sing your support!
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