Before I continue, I feel like I need to come clean and admit that I've never seen it before. I've heard some of the music before, of course, but haven't seen the theater production at all. Take this as my plea for someone to take me? Please? I feel like I need to compare the movie to the play in order to really give an opinion. ;)
In the meantime, these are just some of my thoughts on casting alone. There were a few tweets out there from folks that gave their thoughts on how the characters were cast but I thought everyone was so fantastic, I just can't fit it into 140 characters!
Let's get going, shall we?
Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean blew my mind. The fact that he was singing live on camera made the experience so much more real. The raw emotion in his voice gave so much to the character. I can't say enough how much I loved him in this role. He was perfection.
I've never been a huge Anne Hathaway but Fontine has absolutely changed how I look at her. She played the role beautifully. Her voice was spot on. Tears were streaming down my face every time she opened her mouth and I really cannot tell you how much I loved her in this movie, there are no words.
Samantha Barks. Éponine. Perfection. I don't know what else to say. She gave one of the most emotional performances of the entire movie and was perfect for this role.
I've heard a couple people say they weren't really impressed with Russell Crowe as Javert but since I really have nothing to compare him to, I thought he did great. I didn't realize he was such a great singer but I think he played the role well.
I'm not a huge Sacha Baron Cohen fan but his humor was perfect for Thénardier. And as usual, Helena Bonham Carter does not disappoint. I'm seriously convinced that she can play any role thrown at her.
Last but not least, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette. While I'm a big Amanda Seyfried fan (Mean Girls anyone?) I was not blown away by her performance. This is where maybe I would have benefited by seeing the play? Is Cosette supposed to sing that high? I feel like she squeaked most of her songs. I wanted to love her, I really did.
So, to sum things up, the movie was great, the casting was great, the singing was great, the sets and scenery were great. I don't know what else to say. Go see this movie. Bring a lot of tissues and prepare to cry for 3 hours. Hold hands with your BFF while watching Fontine sing... wait, maybe that was just me. :P
Regardless. I cannot rave enough. Les Mis for movie of the year? I think so.
18 comments:
my brother and my SIL went to see it x-mas day - i thought it was some sort of punishment to my brother - but he said he LOVED it too - my beau said he would even see it with me - looks like i know what i'll be seeing this week or weekend sometime!
It was so so so so so so so so good. 1. Cosette's part is acutally that high, but usually not that shaky. 2. Les Mis for our NYC trip???? I am so glad we got to go together friend
I COMPLETELY agree with every single thing you said here! Anne Hathaway was my favorite for sure! And Cosette's voice drove me crazy.
I cannot wait to see this movie! We're going this weekend. I had my doubts about Amanda Seyfried, so I'm curious to see if I like her in the role. You DEFINITELY need to go see the play in the theater...it's amaaing.
Cosette's voice is actually that high... it makes that part pretty difficult. I was impressed that Seyfried could even do that! I have been mildly obsessed with Les Mis for about 10 years now. And to honest, I really didn't like the movie. But I really think it's just because I have seen the musical live a number of times by professionals and the movie wasn't how it was supposed to be (in my mind). And my favorite character, Javert, was terrible! Which is sad, because I really like Russell Crowe...
i'm excited to see this movie, especially now after your glowing review!
Sadly I've never seen the play or the film. I guess I'm missing out. I don't even know the story line
Ahh! I cannot wait to go see it! I've seen it on the stage but I am dying to see some Hugh Jackman!
I've seen the musical a few times and we went to the movie on Christmas Day. We loved it. It was wonderful. I was disappointed with Russell Crowe...honestly could they not find someone better to play the part? The deep, dark baritone of Javert was totally missing. Everything else was spot on though. Including Amanda Seyfried's Cosette. She's very squeaky and high. Her portrayal actually wasn't as high as the last theatrical production we saw. I think the idea is that you're really supposed to like Eponine better than Cosette. The movie actually made me like Cosette a lot more than I usually do. I read the book as a kid and I still couldn't stand her. So I think Seyfried did a really good job with it.
I saw it on Saturday too & LOVED it! I also had never seen this in the theatre and actually had never read the book. I agree with most everything you said! SPOT ON! I did really really like Seyfriend in this movie... but I've always been a huge fan of hers. Jackman's voice annoyed me just a little.... or it might have been the talk singing they were doing. Besides that... ahhh so good! DEFINITELY a movie to see with the girls!
This is my favorite movie I've seen in a few years. I have to say that Hugh Jackman was the most perfectly suited for his role. That man is a beast, but still somehow tender and just wonderful! He has been my favorite actor for a while now.
I have never been an Anne Hathaway fan. I still don't love her in this role, but she did do really well.
I was actually impressed by Amanda Seyfried. I didn't know she had any singing talents at all.
The kids were amazing and so were the other adult characters.
Some of my favorite singing was actually when all of the men sang together.
This movie was FABULOUS.
I am DYING to see it! I actually had plans with my sister and two of our friends to see it last Saturday and 30 minutes before the movie one of the girls says..."Let's see something else this movie is 3 hours long and apparently they sing the whole time." UM! DUH! She had never even heard of Les Mis! DUMB! Needless to say I got a little pissed and was like I'm not paying $10 to see a stupid movie I don't care about.
rant over.
glad you liked it! :)
Anne Hathaway carried the movie, I thought. Hugh was pretty phenomenal, too. I agree, Russell and Amanda were the weakest performances, but still, I mean come ON their voices are amazing. Did you know Samantha Barks plays the Eponine on Broadway? It's true! She's incredible on screen and on stage!
Oh man - see the stage show - a must!!! :) I started listening to Les Mis Broadway recordings when I was a kid and saw the stage show shortly after. I honestly think I could sing the entire show from start to finish even today...I'm crazy.
Anyway, as others are saying, Russel Crowe was probably my one big casting disappointment. If you listen to recordings or see the stage show of Les Mis you might understand more? Honestly, for me...Javert is actually my favorite character and his songs are maybe even more moving than Valjean's are. Russel wasn't BAD, per se (and I think he actually looks the part), but I think perhaps someone else could have totally killed it vocally...if you look up the 2004 release of the complete symphonic recording on iTunes and listen to a few clips of the man who was Javert...his voice is what I wanted to hear!!!! I did have high expectations for Javert though, to be fair!
OOOOOH if it's possible, this post made me want to see the movie even more!! I saw the stage production a few months ago, and it was amazing. My friend and I are going to see the movie next week, and I can't wait!
I'm Les Miz obsessed, I'll admit so I won't go too crazy here - promise :). I agree with Katie most of all that Russell sucked (I laughed the second he opened his mouth). He's not a terrible singer, just not on the level of the others. Google the Dream Cast version at Royal Albert Hall (it's old - 1995, but the best version). Phil Quast will make you cry & he's why Javert's my fave character.
Anne Hathaway was the best Fontaine I've ever seen & I hate to admit how many times I've seen this stupid play.
I literally gasped when I saw the Colm Wilkinson. He was the orig. JVJ in NY & London - I'm so glad they made him the priest. I'm sure he helped Jackman out a whole lot too.
Yes Cosette has really high part - she's THEE most annoying character on Broadway.
Lastly - Come to NYC & see it!!! And then we'll get drinks & make sure that adorable munchkin of yours stays far far away from the creepy Elmos in Times Sq. :)
Thanks so much for your review! I will have to see it! My mom will be visiting so it will be perfect!
I haven't seen it yet! I haven't seen the play, either. So, I'm even worse :) I can't wait though, all I've heard are rave reviews!
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