'Les Miserables:' From the Depths to the Heights

Isabelle Allen as Cosette with Hugh Jackman as Valjean

“…and remember the truth that once was spoken,

  To love another person is to see the face of God..."

By Matt Mattingly

Some truly beautiful words. I watched 'Les Miserables' with my friend Dan on a bone chillingly cold Christmas Night. Those who know me well know that the musical itself is a personal favorite, so of course I had to see it on opening night.

I wouldn't call it a film, but would rather define it as something as an experience. Be prepared, though, if you're not familiar with Victor Hugo's story: the musical itself is best considered an "abridged" version of Hugo's masterwork which, while a chore to read, is a chore worth undertaking, because there are many characters up with whom you'll have to keep. Consequently, a couple of well-known numbers are slightly delayed or moved in their order in order to enhance and advance the story.

Hugh Jackman, who leads as main character Jean Valjean, is certainly deserving of any Best Actor nominations as he (as do many of the other characters), demonstrate effectively a significant range of emotions, from bitterness to benevolence, as well as the pain that comes from living the human life. It is unfortunate that he must face Daniel-Day Lewis's in the Best Actor category this year.

Nevertheless, he as well as Anne Hathaway (whose performance as the ill-fated Fantine is breathtaking and WILL win awards, if not an Oscar) and Eddie Redmayne (as Marius Pontmercy) profit greatly from director Tom Hooper's decision to film all the songs live rather than pre-dubbing their voices in a studio. The emotions are raw and palpable and the effect on the audience was obvious -- I remarked to Dan on more than one occasion that many in the crowd were at times sobbing rather audibly. He answered that he had noticed that, but then I looked and saw he was teary-eyed as well.

Eddie Redmayne as Marius Pontmercy

Redmayne was the pleasant surprise of the film – despite not having an extensive musical theatre background, his voice has youthful nobility and when that is combined with his proficient acting skills the result is a very fine performance.  It is easy to see why both Samantha Barks’s Eponine and Amanda Seyfriend’s Cosette fall in love with him. 

Russell Crowe's casting as the impenetrable Inspector Javert, who relentlessly pursues Valjean, was the one glaring question that mark many fans and critics had when the role was announced -- his vocals aren't as refined as the other members of the cast, but he has acting chops, and he holds his own through the force of his personality.

Samantha Barks played Eponine during the 25th Anniversy run of 'Les Miserables' on the West End, and she completely captures why the character is one so many relate to -- she is the embodiment of love unrequited and anyone who's had a crush on another person but not had those feelings returned will choke up a bit during her rendition of "On My Own."

The film, like its musical ancestor, is emotionally uneven -- you finish seeing a number that is uplifting, bombastic and romantic, and then are brought back down into sadness and despair, and then sent back into hopeful optimism. Repeatedly. In addition, there is one moment which, in light of the recent events in Newtown, Connecticut, might cause parents to squirm for just a moment.  At the end of the day, though, the ride is rewarding and Tom Hooper's effort and accomplishment should be congratulated.

[Worth noting: The Bishop of Digne, who gives Valjean valuable silver on the promise that Valjean become an honest man and reappears in a nice tough toward the end of the film, is portrayed by the wonderful Colm Wilkinson, who originated the role of Jean Valjean on both the West End, back when I was just a few months old, and again on Broadway two years later.]