Sydney Chambers

Staff Writer

    Les Misérables, or many people call it, “Les Mis,” was released to the theaters on December 25th, 2012.  The movie-musical begins in 1815, when convict Jean Valjean is released, after nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread, by prison guard Javert.  Jean Valjean is offered shelter by a bishop, but steals many precious items, including precious silver items.  Valjean is caught, but the Bishop tells the guards that the silver was a gift.  Valjean, touched by the bishop’s generosity, breaks his parole and vows to start an honest life under a new identity.  The cast list is shown below.

        ACTOR                                       ROLE

        Hugh Jackman                           Jean Valjean

        Russell Crowe                            Javert

        Anne Hathaway                          Fantine

        Amanda Seyfried                        Cosette

        Eddie Redmayne                        Marius Pontmercy

        Helena Bonham Carter               Madam Thénardier

        Sacha Baron Cohen                   Thénardier

        Samantha Barks                         Éponine

    Les Misérables won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.  Actor Hugh Jackman, casted as Jean Valjean, received the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.  Anne Hathaway, playing Fantine, won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in Motion Pictures.  Currently, it is nominated for nine British Academy Film Awards, and eight Academy Awards.

    With many of the nation’s favorites staring in this movie, it has already become a hit.  Rotten tomatoes rated it with a 70%, But 84% of the audience said they liked it.  Many members of the cast had fantastic performances, but just as many while not being bad, could have done better.  Anne Hathaway took me by surprise with how mature her voice was, but Russell Crowe sounded like he was trying to hold back a yawn the entire movie.  Despite this, Crowe was able to act the strict, cold, role of Javert.  Hugh Jackman’s voice was fantastic and embodied his character flawlessly.  Sacha Baron Cohen sounded tipsy the entire show, and continued to change accents, but made his character all the more hilarious.  Amanda Seyfried has matured since her last movie musical, Mama Mia.  Samantha Barks was perfect for her role, possibly because of her prior experience playing Éponine in the 25th anniversary production of Les Mis.

    This musical is both hilarious, thanks to eccentric characters such as the Thénardiers, and heartbreaking.  This story of revolution, forgiveness, love, and death will move anyone who is willing to watch it with both an open mind and an open heart.  Though some people may be unable to tolerate two hours of constant singing, the story that is sung in this movie-musical is definitely unforgettable.