And I mean success because the movie actually played this time not like what happened in Resorts World (I'm still sore with RW over that, but not with Solar just to be clear).
So anyway before we wander away, here's a bit of history. The movie was based on a play which was based on the novel by French writer Victor Hugo. It's about life, liberty, freedom and spirituality and finding your strength no matter the odds.
This Tom Hooper masterpiece blends the finest cinematic film making techniques together with stellar CG and a lot of talents from the stars including Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne.
The imagery and cinematography alone for the film is pretty intense. With the French Revolution as it's backdrop, the story of one man's journey to redemption is fleshed out with so much respect from the source material here. You'll know that the film means business from the opening palang with Jean Valjean (Jackman) is seen pulling a big ass Man-o-war while an arrogant Javert (Crowe) looking down (aptly entitled "Look Down"). It also sets the tone for how Jackman's Valjean will be for most of the movie, a man who's lost and lonely and even after finding God, he's still lost.
Unlike the play, where everything seems so.... sanitized, the movie looks and feels gritty when it needs to be gritty. I'm going to say that they actually borrowed some elements from the last Les Mis movie (starring Liam Neeson and Uma Thurman) and then made it ten times better.
The casting in this film is nothing short of superb. They really knew who would fit which character. They really did cast beautiful people for this film. Anne Hathaway alone is worth the price admission for the 2 hour and 45 minute movie. She looks fragile and delicate and yet looking strong enough to endure the hardships that comes along with being a mother.
Hugh Jackman's take on the tortured and later redeemed Valjean is exceptional. Ang galing. He can move you to tears especially in quite a few numbers like "Bring Him Home" and "One More Day".
Plus you'll really be amazed at how good Jackman can sing. This'll make you go "Logan who?" It's not just the looks and the acting that makes Jackman such a stellar showrunner in this film. It's not just his role. There's something in the guy's eyes that'll make you really believe that he IS Valjean and not an Aussie actor playing the part.
The combination of singing and performing and delivering lines gets put to the test. Not just put to the test; its actually stretched to its limits in "Les Miserables". It might be a bit hard for people who have yet to see the theatrical performance but it quickly grows.
For me ha, the best thing about Les Miserables (and also the reason why it's better than the stage play) is because it felt more convincing. Imagine singing a song about your misery, how you pine for your lost lover and the father of your child, how awful it is to be a single mother in a society that looks down at your case (as in Fantine's "I Dreamed a Dream) and just singing it beautifully. That's how the stage play worked. For me it felt like even if they were so depressed, they still made an effort to look beautiful and singing beautifully.
Anne Hathaway and pretty much the rest of the cast of Les Miserables took the singing part, turned it sideways and created something more human. Something that moviegoers can easily relate to. Here they just don't sing the songs, they give it soul, flesh and bone.
Here's a litmus test you can do. Watch this video of Lea Salonga singing "I Dreamed a Dream"
Now go see the movie (which OPENS TODAY!) and watch Anne Hathaway's take. You'll see that they managed to give more emphasis on the lyrics. Of course I'm not saying that the musical is bad. It's just that its just got more impact for the more younger audiences as well as the older individuals who've never seen a musical.
Plus bonus props since there's really something about hearing the song being sung in between sobs and while the former Selina Kyle is crying her heart out; in Tagalog - PANG OSCAR NA PANG-FAMAS PA!
FYI everybody sang the song live as opposed to acting with a playback. It's something totally unheard of.
Notable stuff I'd like to comment on in this review:
- Russell Crowe as Javert is intense. I remember that he used to have a band back in the day so it's no real wonder that this guy could wail at the moon and look damn badass.
- Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter were so fun to see in their scenes as the Thernadiers (on both acts no less). I do see a resemblance between Cohen and a man wearing a fox makeup. Be ready for "Master of the House"
- Is it just me or did it feel like Amanda Seyfried's Cosette had very little performance. It's like we haven't even warmed up to her and then boom they're already married with Redmayne's Marius.
I'm done selling Les Miserables. Go see it guys. Go see it, bring your girl or your guy and go through a cycle of emotions.
Special thanks to Solar-UIP for the invites and for bringing this film here.
LES MISERABLES OPENS TODAY!
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