Les Miserables

[Virgil Reality]

Since this initial discussion on the remake of Les Miserable it has indeed been filmed and released and starring Hans co-star Eddie Redmayne (Tess of the D'Urbervilles) as Marius.

It is the first version to be a filmed version of the well-known musical and translated rather well to the big screen, in my view. Interestingly, the fact that the Hans' version was NOT a version of the musical was why I didn't see it on the big screen when it was released way back when.

The two films follow a very similar storyline (doh - by which I mean they didn't add or subtract different things - I think) - The latest version has the hard task of not only pleasing lovers of the Victor Hugo novel but the many more that are lovers of the musical. It also hopes to please cinema goers who are not lovers of either and woo those put off by musicals and/or historical drama.

And wow, Eddie Redmayne can sing!

I was surprisingly impressed with RussellCrowe and Anne Hathaway, disappointed with Amanda Seyfried, thought the close ups and grunge factor slighly overdone. Loved the ending but wished they had the song continue over the credits.

Now, your new year homework - Review, compare contrast.

[S]

I have to go see this film.
Anne Hathaway sings very well and Eddie Redmayne surprised me singing with your voice too. No doubt, watching the trailer, you can see that is a good version.

[Gg]

I really felt that they made good use of the medium in the new film. There has been quite a bit of naysaying amongst the critics, some theater devotees, but really, on it's own, considered in its singular light, I think much of the criticism is silly. A writer for New Yorker criticizes its sentimentality, which just seems silly to me, it's a musical! He seemed to be criticizing the characters as one dimensional and we who excuse that as shallow. I did miss Rush's twisted delivery and wishes Crowe had moved a bit (his physicality felt stiff, but perhaps that was a character choice). I was happy when Taylor Swift and the bevy of Hollywood names were forgone for the Eponine casting and she was lovely... And here goes my turn to be a theatre snob... Lea Solonga will always be Eponine's voice to me. She was my first Eponine on Broadway. I loved the intimacy and don't care what the critics have to say about hooper's camera angles, much in the same way I don't care about the differences between the different Zhivago's. Perhaps a bit overdone but far more foregivable than some critics are saying. much was made of vocal range and I don't care... this was not stage. when Jackman or Hathaway's voice broke, it was right to Me, right for the character and right for the context. too perfect would have been a bit of a defeat to credibility really. Anne Hathaway deserves her accolades and all this "I'm so bored of victimized women" commentary by male film critics makes me want to scream "read some 19th century literature, then read a history book you white, privileged a$$"... Women who've lived "virtuous lives" have been victimized for centuries...deal with it. I am so glad Marius was Redmayne and not a Jonas.

And...

The deaths were AMAZING!

Loved loved loved Gavroche

Totally agree about the credits. There was applause after the songs in my screening.

[S]

Oh wow! Undoubtedly I have to go see it this week. Thanks

[Gg]

It came out 22 years ago today...

Just gonna let you all sit with that one