Movie Masterpiece: Les Miserables

I've anticipated this film since back in the summer, and remember the first time I saw that trailer of Anne Hathaway singing "I Dreamed a Dream". With big names such as director Tom Hooper (The Kings Speech) Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe the movie was sure to be critically acclaimed sucess. However this film also offered something quite unique in it's visual style and musical dialogue. I thus decided back in the summer that this film was the must-see of the year (even over The Hobbit) When I first saw it last week in the theater, I felt somewhat disappointed that maybe it did not meet my expectations. However a few days later, I found myself consumed by the music and quite inspired by this masterful story. I would highly recommend this film, hope to maybe see it again in theatre, and will definitely purchase it!

I first became familiar with the classic Victor Hugo story of Les Miserables, after watching the 1998 film directed by Billie August, starring Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush. I was quite in awe of the thick plot, with multiple characters and stories. I knew that there was also a Broadway musical of this story, however I guess I was just waiting for the right time to experience it. With this big screen debut I finally had that chance, and expected that it had the potential to inspire me. In December of 2009 I saw the classic musical The Phantom of the Opera for the first time and was very inspired by the music. Sure enough, after watching this movie and downloading the soundtrack, it did just the same thing!

Each of the actors in the film do their own singing, which gives the musical a unique presentation. It is not by any means clean sounding, however it is heartfelt; full of emotion and powerful performances from Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sacha Baron Cohen. The film is non-stop musical dialogue which at times can drag on, however when one of the feature songs comes into play it is well worth the wait. My three favorite songs are "One Day More", "Stars", and of course the classic, "I Dreamed a Dream". The acting should be greatly recognized in this film, and Anne Hathaway dissevers to be an Oscar shoe-in for her emotional performance. Tom Hooper also deserves some major recognition for bringing this classic musical to the big screen, in such a colorful and vivid fashion.