Les Miserables

Rating : 5/10
Release Date : 18th January, 2013
Time : 157 minutes
Director : Tom Hooper; Writer & Music : Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil, based on the book by Victor Hugo
Starring : Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathway, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Huttlestone, Samantha Barks, Aaron Tvelt




The story
An escaped convict, currently mayor of Paris, Hugh Jackman, is tracked down by a zealous policeman, Russell Crowe. But not before he makes a promise to one of his dying factory worker’s, Anne Hathway, that he will care for her daughter. He rescues her from the inn where she has been left, raises her and protects her, all the while hiding from Russell, till at a time when revolt is brewing on the streets of Paris, she (Amanda Seyfried) runs into Eddie Redmayne, one of the revolutionaries. The lives of Hugh, Russell, Amanda and Eddie intersect, possibly for a final time.

I’m probably the wrong guy to review this and would like to explain why

1. May sound strange coming from someone who rates Sound of Music as one of his all time favourites & has been weaned on Hindi films but I don’t like Musicals as a genre. Especially those where the singing / spoken dialogue is skewed almost 95% / 5%. Like this one.

2. This is a tragedy and I’m not particularly fond of this theme either. Yes, there are some uplifting, heart-stirring moments but overall the film is dark, grimy, depressive. Don’t see the point of watching such a film in your spare time

3. I found all the hype for Anne Hathway’s performance, all the PR, press articles quite over the top, given that she is only in the film for less than fifteen minutes. Nominated for best actress in a supporting role, BTW

4. I think there were several occasions when a song didn’t suit the emotion, the situation. A few prosaic, well chosen words would have done more in moving the story along and quicker.

My verdict
Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe steal the show with bravura performances. The sets, recreation of Paris was great. Couple of very touching moments – especially towards the end when Russell removes his medal of honour and places it on someone else. The rest just didn’t work for me.