Director: Tom Hooper
Writers: William Nicholson (screenplay), Alain Boublil (screenplay)
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway
Release Date: December 25, 2012
In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory worker’s daughter. The decision changes their lives forever.
I saw Les Miserables with my parents and watching my dad’s reaction was almost as entertaining. The entire movie was sung, I was not expecting that, but being the musical/Broadway geek I am rather enjoyed it, finding it very opreaesque. My father on the other hand… after the introduction of Jean Valjean and Javert leaned over to my mom and asked if the entire film would be sung, responding with a shoulder shrug. After a respectful mourning period for Fantine began singing what he’d like for dinner to the tune of “I Dreamed A Dream” (it was eggplant Parmesan in case you were wondering). Twenty minutes later he was checking his email, and then began comparing Hugh Jackman’s hair-do to that of Michael Landon’s in Little House on the Prairie. (although what would you expect from someone who pronounced it Less Miz?)
But what did I think of the movie? I really enjoyed it. I thought the costumes and setting were phenomenal with Anne Hathaway’s rendition of I Dreamed A Dream being a showstopper and one of the highlights of the film for me. That having been said, (and I had a premonition of this before entering the theater) the second half felt rushed; it would seem almost impossible to squeeze a 1,000+ page novel into 2 hours and 45 minute movie. Upon leaving the film both my mom and I (my dad made his feels pretty clear) decided that it was a good movie, but didn’t think it would transfer well on the small screen as the production was so massive.
Love the comment about Michael Landon's hair. I had similar thoughts when I watched the movie. =)
Thanks, when I overheard my dad say that I couldn't help but giggle every time Hugh Jackman came on screen.
Heh. I really like your dad (and your blog, too. Hi! I'm Caro). I haven't watched the film yet, but I intend to. However, like you said, the book held so much content- granted, lots of pages were about issues irrelevant to Jean Valjean's story- that it's nearly impossible to fit it all in. I expect to like the movie, but I'm sure it pales in comparison to the novel.