Les Miserables

Play, Queen's Theater (London), 1985-Present
Movie, 2012, PG-13 

I have not read the original novel, only the musical and the film adaptation of that musical! Maybe some day...

Premise - A poor man marked as a criminal for life steals for one last time, on the promise that he will use the money to become an honest man again. With his newfound status, he returns the favor by raising a young girl whose prostitute mother tragically dies beside him. All of the characters' stories intertwine as the Paris Uprisings begin, challenging the class system.

Review - Such a classic! The music alone makes this one for the ages, and it's what most people are most familiar with when they hear the words Les Mis. That said, whenever I re-watch this film, I'm always stunned with how strong the storytelling is too. The characters and their relationships are profoundly memorable, deep, and versatile, with subplot after subplot each being as strong as the last. The basic theme being explored is that of how the class system cheats good people out of a life worth living, with higher implications of good, evil, mercy, and forgiveness. Each character contributes to this theme just as strongly as the next, so every minute in this nearly three hour movie (or play) is worthwhile.

I had the privilege of seeing this performed live when I was in London. The benefit of seeing the play is to hear the live singing. The singing demands are incredibly intense, and only the best of the best musical actors are cast. That said, the 2012 movie will always have the strongest place in my heart. I saw the movie first, and fell in love with Tom Hooper's directing style. He creates such a strong intimacy with the characters, using close, long shots to follow the actor's faces, sometimes for entire musical numbers. This cannot be reproduced on a stage where the audience is so distant. Of course, you make up for that intimacy by literally being in the same room as the characters, so there are pros and cons to each. Whether you see the play live, or watch the film, is almost a moot point. The story and songs themselves are profoundly emotionally moving on their own. (97/100)

Quote - "I love him, but only on my own."

What to watch for - It's really about the musical numbers. All of them.

If you liked this movie or musical, I'd recommend Into The Woods!

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo
Director: Tom Hooper
Musical Producer: Cameron Mackintosh
Music: Claude-Michel Schonberg
English-language lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer