I don't know how many of you like musicals.
However, you probably know how much I do by now.
Les Miserables just came out in theaters and there've been alot of things said about it.
Here's what I have to say:
The musical is amazing. I've seen it on Broadway a few times and I've always been impressed. In the movie, as they've been advertising, the actors sang as they acted, which changes things.
I think that the way an actor acts when singing changes everything. Thus, when these actors were performing live in front of the camera, they were able to do things with their voices and their roles that just can't be done in a studio. These men and women were able to bring a different aspect of the musical to the big screen and I applaud them for that.
Now, I have to say that the vast majority of people who have talked to me about the movie after seeing it have said that they didn't care much for Russell Crowe's singing.
You know what? He's an actor. And so was the vast majority of the cast that worked on the film. GET OVER IT!
His acting as the character Javert was incredible and he did do a fine job, at least in my opinion, in portraying the man behind the uniform.
I also thought that Hugh Jackman (Jean ValJean) and Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) did wonderful jobs with their characters. Both of them sang very well for that not being their primary career path and I appreciated very much the liberties they took with the songs, making them their own.
Anne Hathaway was stunning as Fantine and I think that her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" is probably my favorite one of all time (not counting my mother's version, of course).
The Thenardiers (innkeepers) were great, too, though I think they did seem a bit held back... after all, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are known for their theatrics. Their protrayal was great and I liked the extra comic relief Cohen added in never getting Cosette's name right.
The role of Eponine has always been my favorite. I sing her songs all the time and in the words of my brother, "It's okay that you didn't do so hot with Cosette's part... Eponine is your b****!"
When I initially heard that the movie was going to actually be filmed, I also heard that Taylor Swift would be playing the role. As you probably know by now, she is a great inspiration to me. However, when she was replaced by Samantha Barks, I was first mad, then I just took a breath, got my laptop out and looked her up. And then I realized the only person for the part better than Barks would be Lea Salonga (who is possibly the best musical singer I've ever heard). Needless to say, I felt that Barks did a great job with "On My Own" and "A Little Fall of Rain" was impeccable.
However, I have to say that Eddie Redmayne (Marius) stole the show with his performance of "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables". Of all the times that I've seen the musical and listened and sung along to the songs, I've never felt so much sadness and hurt than when I heard and watched him sing that song. It was like I'd never heard it before. And although Michael Ball is my favorite Marius, Redmayne gave him a run for his money.
Overall, I think that the movie did an amazing job and it was definitely worth the money for the ticket... in fact, I'm going again in about 12 hours.
