Today I saw the incredible film version of Les Misérables. What words can I use with what is already being described as the best musical ever made?
My involvement with this musical started back in the mid 1980s when the Original London Cast album came out with Colm Wilkison (Valjean), Patti LuPone (Fantine), and Frances Ruffelle (Eponine). In 1987 I was able to see Les Miz on Broadway with country singer Gary Morris as "Valjean." The staging and lighting on stage were remarkable and innovative. Of course, the orchestrations and lyrics were adapted from its British cousin. Of course, over the years I've collected the various international versions...Hungarian, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, German, Swedish, Japanese, Israeli, Paris cast and the original concept album.
When the opening notes of the score were heard in the film, I felt nostalgia...excitement...joy...and ready to compare former orchestrations. The film, luckily, eschewed the rock opera element and the film flowed more as a traditional opera...orchestration wise. The film's orchestrations are literally sweeping and epic in nature. Tom Hooper, the director, filmed the actors singing live rather than lip syncing.
Hugh Jackman is "Valjean" He is such the versatile actor with a great voice. And he demonstrated physical strength for the role, aside from the vocal strength, especially in the songs where the notes hit the high parts.
Anne Hathaway's "Fantine" is full of a mother in anguish; a mother that will do anything to help her child survive. She lost weight for the role and has her beautiful hair shaved on screen. She turns to prostitution and the song "Lovely Ladies" becomes a dark, grisly and filthy depiction of the street walkers. Her "I Dreamed A Dream" is a tear-provoking anthem to all those dreams that do not become a reality. Again, she sang it live while filming. I think if she had sung it in a recording studio, it would have been embellished and it would have sounded "nice." Come to think of it, it was an angry and bittersweet interpretation.
Russell Crowe as Javert. Hmmm, interesting casting. he has a rough voice, just like what a police inspector with his past would sound like. His interpretation- ruthless; a man with a purpose, as he lives for the law and he wants everyone to live by the law, no matter how cruel the outcomes. I am not a big fan of his vocal capabilities, but he did become the villain of the piece.
Speaking of villains, the "Thenardiers" were brutally interpreted by Helena Bonham-Carter and Sascha Baron Cohen. Intended as comic relief, the Thenardiers are the caretakers of Fantine's daughter, Cosette. Valjean promises Fantine on her deathbed that he will rescue and take care of Cosette; raise her as both mother and father. The Thenardiers are the ultimate con artists and thieves. Literally can pickpocket you without you noticing. Cosette is treated more as a Cinderella whilst their own daughter Eponine is a little princess. "Master of the House" is a tad more graphic than the stage version; film lets you get away with many things visually. It is still a funny scene but not an establishment I would frequent!
Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia) and Eddie Redmayne (My Week With Marilyn) were refreshing and quite innocent in the roles of "Cosette" and "Marius." Love at first sight when they meet that Marius ignores the young woman who is in love with him, Eponine. "Eponine" is portrayed by Samantha Barks. She portrays Eponine with a sadness remembering that she and Cosette were young waifs. How the tables have turned! Her song "On My Own" is gut wrenching, perhaps the best interpretation to date.
Visually it is a beautiful film...this goes for the costumes, the art direction and the computer enhanced visuals. As they say, acting can be difficult, but when an actor must also sing while creating a character! Anne Hathaway, I believe, demonstrated this in her Fantine. Tears were shed during her song.
Les Misérables is a film that is very contemporary. As MSNBC host Chris Matthews stated, the film is about how current society views the poor/homeless. The rich just bypass the poor, as was evident in the scene where we meet the urchin Gavroche. Ironically, in the film, the people who got rid of the royal family in the late 1700s once more must deal with another king who does what the previous monarchs have done. (Let them eat cake?!)
It is a film you must see and I believe it is one of the best musicals ever made for the screen. Some people cannot endure and enjoy a musical due to the constant singing. But, to hear glorious music and song and in some cases, wonderful choreography, musicals are a wonderful form of entertainment. And musicals do not have to be light and frothy. Les Misérables is a dramatic musical and is worth viewing. Don't wait for the DVD as it must be appreciated on the large screen.
