The title says it all and because of my insane love for this movie/musical I've decided to do a review just to get it out of my system. Was planning to do one after I finally watched the movie yesterday but thought that it was better to keep my emotions to myself but all these emotions I can't contain and it went splashing all out on Twitter where I kept spazzing about the awesome-ness of Les Misérables. Think I must have brainwashed many hahaha.
So on to the review about this show that has kept me singing non-stop, in the showers, in my bed, in my sleep. Went to sleep last night with Do You Hear The People Sing resounding in my mind, this song is just so powerful in emotions and pride that I can't help humming it the whole day.
For those who don't know about the content of this show here's a quick sum up to it. The show is based on a French novel by Victor Hugo. (Thank you Victor for this amazing story, many love ♥♥♥) It is set in the 1800s and talks about the life of the people during the June Rebellion/French Revolution. Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) was an ex-convict who was trying to look for a new life after being released but couldn't find a job due to his past therefore decided to strip off his tag name "24601", which was his prisoner name, and become Jean Valjean the rich and kind-hearted man after receiving a second chance and redemption by a priest. How he came to have so much money I still have no idea guess I should read the book soon! Anyway he then came to own this factory in which Fantine (Anne Hathaway) worked in but later got fired. And because she had to support her daughter Cosette (Isabelle Allen/Amanda Seyfried) she sold her hair, two teeth and became a prostitute. During this period because Jean Valjean had broke his parole, Javert (Russell Crowe) an officer was busy looking for him and crossed paths with him when he became Mayor. So basically this whole show surrounds after Jean Valjean and Javert's interactions, with Valjean running and Javert chasing. Valjean came to take care of Cosette after Fantine died and Cosette eventually falls in love with Marius (Eddie Redmayne) who was one of the students in the Revolution.
I just love how Jean Valjean and Javert are both believing in the same God but having different interpretations of the word in which Jean Valjean believes in second chances and showing mercy while Javert believes in upholding the law, justice and the right ways. Both man not wrong in their believes. And the courage, determination and songs of the students in the Revolution struck a chord in my heart. I cried seeing how hard they fought for something they believed and that even if it meant death, it is death because they were brave enough to fight.
On to the characters. I know how many people have said this and emphasised on this and I really do agree, the cast is just marvelous.
Hugh Jackman
He has always been Wolverine and to see him in this show was a real eye turner. I was shocked ever since the first frame started and the camera concentrated on the face of this dishevelled man who looked just the same as all the other men pulling along the ropes of the boat and I didn't care much about this character until the camera focused on this face once more. My initial thoughts were "Who is this man? Is he one of the main cast? Since the camera focused twice he must be." it was only after he opened his mouth then it struck me, "ZOMGAWD, THIS IS HUGH JACKMAN!! WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS FACEEEEE?!" He was slimmed beyond all means and although less hairy than Wolverine, but not that much, the change from Wolverine to Jean Valjean was remarkable. For an actor who never majored in theatre production, his voice was really beautiful. It had the roughness of a man who was going through tough times and the emotions in his voice was brillant especially in "Who am I". The redness beneath his eyes is scary also especially in the last scene.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway. I have no idea where to begin. Should I praise her for her bravery to cut her long locks in real life for this movie (She was really sad after cutting her hair that she cried, in real life.) or how she went on an alcohol only diet to get her sunken and dishevelled looks. Her remarkable acting skills is just, speechless. She is an actress that isn't afraid to go all out for the show and I love how she actually fits her character into her real life to actually be one with the character. Her realness for this character really moves me. When I saw her in the scene after she sold herself away in my mind I was thinking "Gosh Anne Hathaway, why did you do this to yourself." I was feeling so darn sorry for her but at the same time I respected her professionalism so much. She is really an actress that I look up to. To talk about her voice is to join the chorus of praises sung for her. Ever since she did her own parody of "On My Own" during the Oscars 2011, I was surprised by how Broadway she sounded. She didn't disappoint me in Les Misérables. I held my breath as she sung "I Dreamed A Dreamed" and the words of the song was really shown through her emotions and especially at the last part where she sung "Now life has killed the dream I dreamed". I cursed life for doing that to her, for killing her soul.
LOVE HER.
Russell Crowe
His cold but beautiful eyes makes me love him just as much as I love the rest of the cast. It was my first time seeing him act and even though others criticize how emotionless he is when singing, I applaud the skills of his ways. He gave off the right feeling of an officer who has been numb by all the cries of the captured that he began to become someone who is so emotionless and doesn't believe in second chances. Beside all the other actors/actresses who sing with emotions in their voice I feel that it is unfair many say how he come off as monotonous and emotionless because HE'S SUPPOSE TO BE THAT WAY. His voice is one of my favourite and is one of those voices that I still can remember clearly. The hollowness in his voice just resounds through my mind and my heart, along with the image of him walking along the edges of the building which seems to be a habit of his. He is also one that is truly worth the praise; so because he has been overshadowed by the rest I shall say here that RUSSELL CROWE IS AMAZING.
If you haven't catch the movie yet, look out for his character and keep an open mind and heart to him. You may realise you love him more than the rest of them hahaha (:
Daniel Huttlestone; Isabelle Allen
This two young actor and actresses is over flowing with cuteness. The innocence of both of them in character and voice will just make you go "awwww" I must admit I love Daniel's voice more than Isabelle and because I saw more of Daniel compared to Isabelle hence the more love I give to him. Daniel plays Gavroche who is the younger brother of one of the students in the Revolution and although he is young but he understands the pride of having freedom for your own country. Isabelle plays young Cosette and sings the famous "Castle On A Cloud" and I can't help sing along to her sweet voice and cries softly for her when she sings about her mother who has passed away. I hope this two young character gets more exposure in the future! (:
Amanda Seyfried
I've seen her countless times on Mama Mia and I see her again in Les Misérables. I found myself lost in those giant gorgeous eyes of hers and her beautiful blonde locks. But then I feel that her character has been overshadowed. In the movie I feel she is just Cosette the girl who is going to marry Marius. There is just something that was lacking in her character although her character is someone who has changed Jean Valjean. And I found myself liking her voice better in Mamma Mia. In Les Misérables, she often hit the high notes which is just too high for my liking. But although her character is overshadowed, she delivers it well. Her eyes when she realise she wasn't going to see Marius again, her tears when Jean Valjean died and the way she says "Papa". She is another character that completes the whole perfection of this movie.
Samantha Barks
I fell in love with her voice when she started singing "On My Own". Her voice is just so perfect I have no idea how she manages to deliver so much power in her voice without overdoing it. I guess that is why she is part of the theatre cast of Les Misérables. Although she is referred to as the love rival of Cosette, I don't see her as a rival to Cosette because she loves Marius so much that she is willing to help him find his happiness. Match her sweet looks (and dimples) with her beautiful voice, I have to say she is my favourite actress in this movie. Her love for Marius is just so tragic and beautiful. And I am sad that she is on her own :'(
Aaron Tveit; Eddie Redmayne
Aaron and Eddie or also known as Enjolras and Marius. Can't help but swoon when this two came on screen. Actually I swooned even louder when i saw the students from the Revolution. I was crying inside "WHY MUST THESE GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE DIEEEEEE" Cute guys with amazing voice and stares that make you melt. I think when you want to talk about Marius you should also mention Enjolras since I believe Enjolras should also be given some fame. Two theatre actors that are comrades and friends in this show. It is Enjolras that leads the Revolution through the fight and it was him that fell without letting go of the flag in his hand. Their patriotism moves me. And as for Marius, to him having freedom for the country is more important than anything else (He belongs to a rich family) He rather stand by his fellow comrades and give up on his title and his love. Although in the end Jean Valjean helped him to accomplish being with Cosette. I have been putting "Do You Hear The People Sing" on replay all day and the voices of this men just...makes my heart tingle. ♥
Helena Bonham Carter; Sacha Baron Cohen
I think its funny how this couple both have three words in their names and that the last two words have the initial BC. And just as how funny this coincidence is, their characters also bring laughter to me. The way they con their way through their lives is just so amusing. And when I see Helena, I can't help wonder why is she so good at having her makeup and hair in such ridiculous manners. Although they don't appear as much in this movie but I feel that every single time their on, they just draw you to them. They are also the two characters that I feel a tiny bit of dislike but only when they try to pretend that they love Cosette very much and when they try to take revenge on Jean Valjean. But every single time that tiny bit of dislike wants to explode, Sacha mispronounces Cosette's name causing laughter in me. So as much as you try to dislike them, I guess their silliness just makes you brush it off and instead laugh heartedly at them.
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So I guess that pretty much covers everything about this movie and some of my spazz has ran out while typing this so crossing my fingers it doesn't begin again or I will find myself humming in work tomorrow.
Les Misérables, truly a show that is worth watching. While I was watching inside the movie theatre, I didn't felt like two and a half hour has past. I was so caught up in it all that at the end I found myself wanting to fight for the freedom of France too. So if you haven't watch the movie because you are unsure if it is worth watching, I would say give it a chance. You may not be a fan of musicals or find it annoying that they keep singing but I believe you would come out of the theatre singing along or even if you didn't like it, you will no doubt be singing about how you don't like it. It is the power of Les Misérables. Besides, it is a two and a half hour movie, it should pretty much cover your ticket price and a common topic to make a small talk with.
Les Misérables, go open your heart to it ♥
