Les Miserables - The Film

WOW! Just got back from seeing the above!  Really, really didn't know what to expect, and prayed I wouldnt be disappointed.

And guess what! I wasn't! It was fantastic!  And for once a film lived up to it's own hype! I loved it, and so glad that I saw it on the big screen first, before seeing it on DVD.

It followed the story that we all know, to the letter (thank goodness) although they did slip in a new song.
The beauty of the film is, that they had the 'space' to magnify everything; so you had an incredible feeling of the poverty and misery on the streets of France, which is nigh on impossible on stage.

In my opinion Russell Crowe (Javert) was poorly mis-cast. He might have had the stature, but there was no air of authority about him and his voice was that of a crooner, when I believe the character warranted a booming Barritone (but I'm probably being a bit biased here because of the stage show again).

I really didn't like Amanda Seyfried';s (Cosette) thin, warble of a voice, I'm afraid. It wasn't enough to spoil the film, but out of all the thousands of singers around the world .... I'll say n'more.

Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) was incredible. They managed to age him convincingly, he more than sang for his supper but his acting was outstanding and more than made up for the fact that he's no Alfie Boe.  If there's an Oscar for the taking, it certainly should be his.

Now ... whatEVER happened to the characters of Thenardier (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Madam Thenardier (Helena Bonham Carter) for heavens sake!?
I thought the writers made these two a comedy couple to lighten the mood, and if that truly is the case then Sacha Baron Cohen was also sadly mis-cast. He was fantastic in Sweeney Todd, but certainly not in this. Again Helena BC proved herself in Sweeney, but it wasn't happening in Les Mis.  Shame really because I was disappointed.

I LOVED Marius! (Eddie Redmayne) Excellent casting! The right age (for a change) convincing, emotional, beautiful voice and although not necessarily one of 'God's beautiful people' it was refreshing. (No disrespect to Eddie intended) :)

And my final say goes to Anne Hathaway!! (Fantine) WOW! WOW! WOW! Her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream was heart-wrenching! It didn't 'get me' in the stage show, but I sobbed (as quietly as I could) in the film ... Taxi for Susan Boyle!

Go see it!!!