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FilmLoverAndCritic
FilmLoverAndCritic's stats
- Review count1
- Helpfulness votes1
- First reviewJanuary 3, 2013
- Last reviewJanuary 3, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3
FilmLoverAndCritic's Reviews
Overall rating
3
/
5
A Great Music Video, know the story before you go
PostedJanuary 3, 2013
FilmLoverAndCritic
from Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
2
/
5
Special Effects
2
/
5
Art Direction
2
/
5
Acting
5
/
5
Story
5
/
5
Camerawork
1
/
5
Pros: Performances by this well known cast with few exceptions do not disappoint, displayed intimately through the pervasive use of close ups. Voices were not "Broadway quality" but for me this was a plus as it made the characters more real. Make-up and costumes are remarkable in their realism at times.
Cons: Use of hand held cameras (or the effect) is terribly distracting, to the point of causing nausea. This technique is generally used to heighten tension/drama or make the viewer feel like they are present. Neither is achieved and the racking in and out of focus only calls attention to the camera work which seems to scream "look at me" rather than the spectacular performances of the actors.
Additionally, the art direction takes wide turns from gritty realism to cartoon-like. These inconsistencies are jarring and insulting to the portrayal of Hugo's carefully crafted theme that whether we are successful or lucky or respected as individuals, we are all doing the best with what we are given. The clownish costuming and make-up of the prostitutes, for example seemed to mock them rather than reflect their tragic circumstances.
Likewise, the Thenardiers (with the exception of Eponine) were oafish at best in appearance and direction. While character exaggeration might be appropriate for a stage presentation in which the audience is better served by a larger-than-life presentation, the big screen allows for a more subtle and intimate depiction of the characters and their struggles. Casting of the Thenardier couple lacked depth and imagination, rather imitating a Tim Burton film.
I won't get into how I felt about the wisteria lined room with flitting butterflies as Cosette has her first conversation with Marius-- at least the first in this film. I’ll just say that had a quality of cheap stage dressing than a star-studded feature film. The total absence of the courtship between Cosette and Marius is fairly typical of the treatment of the storyline, literally moving from a first glance to professing their love in back-to-back scenes.
Russell Crowe's voice got a lot of criticism in the reviews of this film, but his voice, in my opinion was solid, if not showy. It never "took me out of the film." His acting, however, was a real disappointment. He showed no internal struggle as Javert, rather playing him rather flat and austere. I held judgment until his final scene in which he did expand his performance, but far too briefly and too early in the scene to be effective. He clearly has the ability, but was either poorly edited and/or directed.
Victor Hugo's novel is a lesson in character study, providing detail, motivation, and background on each and every character in addition to justification for their actions and how each was coping with the circumstances of their lives. This film lacks this richness, ignoring character development, relationships, even plot development. Overall, if the story is not revealed in song, it is skipped as this film moves from song to song with little if any transition.
If you are in love with the music and have an understanding of the story, this is a very enjoyable music video. I can't say I didn't enjoy it, I cried at the end along with the rest and I have a new-found respect for Hugh Jackman, but I'm disappointed in this project as a story-telling film.
Pros great actors
Cons camera work, direction, visual interpretation
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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