Sat. December 22, 2012
By Michael J. Roberts
What separates Les Misérables from other movie musicals is that the Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg, and Herbert Kretzmer score is sung live. Not just the solo numbers, but the choral numbers as well. (Two songs in Alan Parker's EVITA where also sung live). Thus, for the first time in film musical history we are privy to the absolute truth the actors feel in the moment. Many such numbers were recorded in a one-shot take, including Anne Hathaway's Oscar worthy "I Dreamed A Dream", where this well known show tune standard gets new life; as does Mr. Jackman's haunting "Bring Him Home". In fact, with a cast comprised of stage and film veterans, the score has taken on new meaning. Eddie Redmayne is perfectly cast as Marius, who actually gets a back story he can delve into; Amanda Seyfried is a winning Cosette, although her vibrato proves a bit trying at times; Samantha Barks is the only actor to reprise a stage role as Eponine and does so with heartbreaking success; Next To Normal star Aaron Tveit finally makes the revolutionary Enjolras a major player. Even Russell Crowe does not seem out of place as Javert and his suicide scene proves quite gripping. The score also gets a new addition with the song mediocre song "Suddenly" sung by Mr. Jackson after he takes Cosette from the Thénardiers.
More than anything, it is the performances of Mr. Jackman and Ms. Hathaway that catapult this movie into greatness. Jackman is utterly transforming as Valjean, both physically and in his interpretation of a man so scorned by life, but able to find beauty and love in a child. The smallness of film acting suits his interpretation immensely as opposed to the broad strokes actors have to make on the stage. So too with Ann Hathaway who gives one of the greatest performances on screen... .period.
Technically, Les Misérables is a true epic thanks to Danny Cohen's vibrant cinematography, Paco Delgado's costumes while the lush orchestrations soar with a 70 piece orchestra. More than anything, the film version reinforces the notion that human redemption is always possible. Not only is that a great sentiment for the holidays, but one we can carry with us every on this never ending road to Calvary.
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