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- Review count1
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- First reviewDecember 26, 2012
- Last reviewDecember 26, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating5
LesMisFan's Reviews
Overall rating
5
/
5
Justice is done to Les Miserables!
PostedDecember 26, 2012
LesMisFan
from Worcester, MA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:few times per year
Dialogue
5
/
5
Special Effects
5
/
5
Art Direction
5
/
5
Acting
5
/
5
Story
5
/
5
Camerawork
5
/
5
I was prepared to be (at least a little) disappointed...not sure what types of liberties might be taken in converting the musical to a movie. There are two reasons I decided to go: excellent critical reviews, and a great story that so obviously should translate to any genre (musical, movie, book) unless some idiot screws it up. No screw-ups here!
Rest assured, dialogue is not added, songs are not cut out. Yes, the movie really is as good as the musical! (Or as close as possible without the true live energy of a theatre.)
If you worry the WORLD'S BEST MUSICAL might be degraded by the addition of a movie set and cinematography, don't be! The movie comes very close to the musical, true to the highly-charged emotional experience of the original. EXCELLENT, FANTASTIC, AND HEART-WRENCHING!
The acting was generally excellent, though yes, SLIGHTLY flat by the three male leads (more so the actor who played Maris, the love interest of Cosette). The casting was very good, the direction excellent!
Anne Hathaway was a superb choice to play Cosette. As others mentioned, she steals the show at her death, both by her acting and her musical performance. In spite of her death barely 1/3 into the movie, she remains the "real" star, same as the musical.
The audience was enthralled, and as soon as the credits started rolling, the theatre erupted with applause. Then I laughed when I saw one of the names...Sacha Baron Cohen? (Of the comedy/fake documentary "(something) of America for Make Benefit Beautiful Nation of Kazakstan".) Ah, he must have been the innkeeper! (Yes, he was.) Excellent choice, and a definite surprise.
I'm a little surprised at the sharp criticism of Russell Crowe...I saw the musical 25 years ago, and I noticed nothing amiss. True, memories fade with time, but one would have to literally be listening to the original soundtrack before going and comparing each song in detail to have a complaint! They may not be Broadway stars, but they come pretty darn close! EXCELLENT JOB WITH THE SINGING, AND THE "LIVE" PERFORMANCES!
The only MINOR quibble I have is the lack of an intermission. The second third of this movie (from Fantine's death to the start of the French Revolution) seems to drag a little for this reason. Fans of the original musical may want to make a quick run to the bathroom after Maris find's Cosette's house and they sing their duet, if you must go but don't want to miss details you've forgotten.
Ideally, hit the bathroom during the previews...I think they lasted 10-15 minutes! Added to the movie time, that's 2:50; you'll need it!
"Les Miserables" as a movie is something I never contemplated, but whether you saw the musical or not, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT! If you're too young to have seen the musical, now you can see the next best thing.
If you see nothing else this year, this is THE ONE MOVIE YOU DEFINITELY MUST SEE!
Pros well paced, great story, great actors, appropriate cinematography, great set and cgi not overdone, terrific direction
Cons no intermission
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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