Les Miserables movie

Last night I went to see the Les Mis movie with Dave, on the opening night. Nothing beats leaving work on Friday, grabbing some food, then heading to the cinema. But this time was incredibly exciting. I almost couldn't eat!

My love for Les Mis only start a few years ago after seeing a couple of great school productions. Then I purchased the 10th anniversary concert on DVD and received the 25th anniversary concert for Christmas a couple of years ago. My sister used to watch the 10th anniversary all the time when we used to share a bedroom, so I was quite familiar with the songs and the story already but never got into it then.

This year, I read the book, by Victor Hugo. Its an incredible book. It was hard going through some of the French political history parts, and quite often it felt like Hugo would lose himself and start spilling his heart and soul out onto the page, talking about God and justice and struggle. but that just added to the passion and power and heartbreak of the story. The death of Fantine and the abuse and neglect of Cosette are so much more harrowing and distressing than I ever imagined.

Anyway, back to the movie. I couldn't have hoped for a better beginning. At the end of Valjeans soliloquy my mouth was hanging open and my eyes were wide. Literally. I must have looked scary. Hugh Jackman did an incredible job.

Anne Hathaway was good as Fantine, but I felt that her story wasn't given enough screen time. Nevertheless, she gave a powerful performance, and after I Dreamed a Dream, you could have heard a pin drop.

Russell Crow was a pleasant surprise. He was very suited to playing cold and stern (possibly a backhanded compliment there). I would have liked some more torment in his performance during his last song.

Samantha Barks was fabulous, as was Eddie Redmayne. And Amanda Seyfried made a great Cosette. She really portrayed well Cosette's struggle between her love for Valjean and her need to experience the real world.

I didn't mind Sasha Baron Cohen, but he didn't blow me away. And Helena Bonham Carter didn't stand out as Madame Thenardier as I would have liked. But together their timing was great and there were some laughs.

Sometimes the editing was confusing, and Bring Him Home was...well, be warned. Hugh Jackman can really belt out powerful notes but you can really near the strain when he is singing softly, and at times I felt quite uncomfortable. The film felt rushed throughout, even though it is a very long film.

I'm considering seeing it again before it leaves the cinema. 8/10 for Les Mis!