Les Misérables is French for “the miserable ones.” From that I take it you can leave the theater either scarred or inspired. The powerful story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean’s (Hugh Jackman) redemption along with broken dreams, unreturned love, sacrifice, passion, and dedication during the French Revolution produced in a movie musical is a testament to the survival of the human spirit. The overall message, “To love another person is to see the face of God” may redeem the horror which takes place throughout this movie.
With a long list of popular and upcoming actors and actresses which take part in Valjean’s journey include Fantine (Anne Hathaway), Javert (Russell Crowe), Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), Marius (Eddie Redmayne), Broadway’s 25 anniversary of Les Misérables star Éponine (Samantha Barks), Enjolras (Aaron Tveit), Madame Thénardier (Helena Bonham Carter), Thénardier (Sacha Baron Cohen). Many members of this production are included in 21 nominations over five different categories.
As heart wrenching and touching the story is portrayed to be, I find it muddied up with too much vibrato, sex scenes, and countless heartless acts by more than just the ‘bad guys.’ Many parts make for a desensitizing journey in order for Hollywood to make the story more real and teaches the best way to learn is by being exposed to harsh and violent experiences although these are made out to be praised because of the artistic and real feel of the film. The original minds behind this musical are fantastic, with moving scores properly fit to the situations, developed characters, and well thought out plot.
All being said, I do not believe it is worth your money. It would be better to take the time to listen to sit down, read the book, and listen to the Broadway soundtrack. If one chooses to see this film it should be in theaters and the movie goers should know it is loosely rated PG-13, with suggestive and sexual material, violence, and thematic elements. I do not recommend this movie to anyone who is sensitive to physical or mental abuse and to take children under 18 is highly discouraged.
All in all it is up to the individual whether they enjoy the realness of the film or dislike it for the same reason.
Ryan T. Land • Jan 30, 2013 at 9:38 pm
I respect your opinion but completely disagree with it. I find the main themes of this film to be redemption. If you speak of these “countless heartless acts by more than just the ‘bad guys,” then you missed the theme of the film and the growth of the characters completely. There were not any “bad guys” in this movie, no black and white. It is full of shades of gray. Relative to reality, Jean Valjean is a “bad guy” but you root for him because of his endless search of redemption expressed in the song One Day More. “This never ending road to Calvary.” The audience sees Javert as a “bad guy” but he is just upholding the law, chasing a run away criminal. Javert becomes the polar opposite of Valjean, because he does get redeemed but he rejects his redemption. These “desensitizing acts” must have been done by all the characters to properly tell their personal story of redemption. The film painted a very real picture of the world its characters lived in, without being too graphic. I think the film’s tone and nature of “the harsh, violent experiences” is what make this story real to the audience. If it made you uncomfortable, then the filamkers did their jobs right. The story of Les Miserables is not a comfortable one. This was accomplished in an incredible way to make an incredible film.