LES MISERABLES - THE MOVIE

[karl]

Just got back from seeing this and bumped into one of my old bosses as she'd been to another film so we had a long chat.

I know the name Hugh Jackman but could not tell you any of his films (until now).

I would say the first half of the film was alright I was thinking the stage show was so much better and when Hugh started to sing I thought "Oh My God" as he has quite a vibrato, however you get used to it and from the battle scene onwards it REALLY picked up and I started to enjoy it more and even wiped away a tear or two but by the end a tear trickled down my face.

One gripe I have is the sound could have been that bit louder as there are some quiet musical passages but perhaps that was the fault of the cinema.

Russell Crowe is ok but to me he's the same in everything.

Not sure if I would go as far as to buy the dvd and the cd definitely not.

It was good to see this on the big screen but the stage show wins every time for me. And in closing I didn't know Colm WIlkinson was in the film but I know him anywhere from the way he sets his mouth when he sings - good for him being cast as the Bishop.

[karl]

Forgot to say as I went to the noon show the audience was sparse but they waited for the cast and when the film ended they applauded - I was glad as they did deserve it. The music is so moving and that's what brought the tears to my eyes, especially Do You Hear The People Sing.

[Marian]

Thanks for the review Karl. I'm sure I would love it as I love the theatre show. How was Eponine, Samantha Barks, as she was out of the show on stage too. Didn't know Colm Wilkinson was in it though.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Yes, thanks for the review Karl.
We saw the stage show last night at the Queens Theatre, and of course the acting was wonderful, and the songs fantastic, but my thoughts about the sound during the passionate interludes etc were the same as you mentioned about the movie. I found myself straining to hear the words which are vital for the story in a performance of this kind.
Geronimo Rauch played the role of Jean Valjean, and Danielle Hope, who won the part of Dorothy on Andrew Lloyd Webbers TV series "Over The Rainbow played the role of Eponine, she was excellent.
A great performance, and the movie should do well.

[karl]

The girl who played the older Eponine was excellent as was Gavroche the little boy. I love his song Little People from the album. but in the show he never got to do the full version!

Glad you enjoyed the stage show, I think it's one of the best shows ever.

[mariana44]

I did not know Colm Wlkinson was in it either--I believe he was also in the stage zshow at one trime. Samantha Barks has done well-she was in the search for "Nancy" that Jodie Prenger won.
I have the dvd of the "making of Les miserables" with Colm Wilkinson, and i think Lea Salonga, although i know that Frances Ruffelle was in it at the beginning.

I know Hugh Jackman was in the film "Australia" with Nicole Kidman, and as i mentioned previously, the National theatre production of Oklahoma--the one with Maureen Lipman, which was available on dvd at one time--but i do not know if it still is,

From the reviews I have read, Anne Hathaway is amazing as Fantine, --there have been several interviews and extracts on Breakfast tv this week. I am sure i will love it --on dvd-I do not think i could sit for so long in the cinema--I like a cuppa halfway through !!

[karl]

Now I realise who Lee Salonga is, the name was familiar to me, thanks Marian.

I sat for three hours watchig the film with no cuppa, no food etc but the time went quickly.

Oklahoma with Maureen Lipman, I believe I still have that on video and never watched it, if I still have it iI must give it a spin as I really like Maureen Lipman.

[Eman]

I agree with Karl, I loved the movie and was surprised at Anne Hathaway's singing. I knew Amanda Sydrfid from Mamma Mia so no shock. Even Russell Crowe to some extent was ok. I'm watching the live concert on DVD right now with Alfie Boe, Lea Salonga and Nick Jonas from the Jonas Brothers right now while I have my morning coffee.

[karl]

The thing about the movie is the actors get by with their passable singing, on the stage they are outstanding singers and that's what makes the stage show so damn great in my opinion - they bring every emotion to their performance.

However as I said earlier by the end it really did get emotional.

Film V Stage Show. Film Very Good Stage Show Absolutely Brilliant!!!!

[mariana44]

Oklahoma with Maureen Lipman is not like the film--it is just like being in the theatre, and they are all on stage--it worked in the theatre---but I do not think it worked as a dvd. Even with Hugh Jackman.

[hpooch]

Hugh Jackman's best known movie actiing is in his recurring roles in the "X-Men" series as "Wolverine"(Logan)....I really enjoy them as a diversion from the normal!
Anne Hathaway won the best supporting actress award for "Les Mes" on the Critics Choice Awards on TV the other night.

[karl]

Eamon I watched the 25th Anniversary concert on blu ray tonight - absolutely wonderful and to see the former cast members at the end plus Cameron Mackintosh, Herbert Kretzmer etc was just great. Cameron is right, there isn't a musical like Les Miserables - the music gets me every time and this cast sang their hearts out, Alfie Boe was magnificent as indeed they all were and special mention must go to the excellent musicians and the guy who played Inspector Javert - wow what a stage presence he had!

Now I have to watch the 10th Anniversary show, I will be Les Mised out by the end of the week but what a way to go eh?

I feel so privileged that in my lifetime I have seen such a wonderful show, this is what music is all about, shows like this are modern day operas.

[mariana44]

You would have seen Lea Salonga then Karl--I think she sang "On My own"

[Eman]

Mariana, I believe she did, I have to watch the dvd again, as I was trying to have coffee and answer emails on the laptop at the same time. LOL..So into this 21st Centruy thing called "multi-tasking". My Mum and Dad always, say slow down, one thing at a time.

[hpooch]

The movie won the Golden Globes Award as best film last night....Plus Hugh Jackman won best lead actor & Ann Hathaway best supporting actress in a musical!! Both were very deserving!