My review of Les Mis

I have always seen the musical and book as two separate and wonderful things, yet it seems that Hooper was trying to stay truer to the book, so, my review is based on his efforts to combine musical and Victor Hugo's book.

The Bishop:  I love loved this actor.  I think he captured the character that was written by Hugo himself over 100 years ago.  If you haven't read the book- do!  The bishop has his own story, and it's just neat to think that the he went through his own change and the man in the film, Colm Wilkinson, captured that character. 

Valjean: I think Hugh Jackman did really well.  He made a girl in my theater burst out in loud sobs at the end of the movie, so I think that is saying something.  I know some people didn't like how he put SO much emotion into the songs that it changed the rhythms, but I didn't feel that way.  The only thing that doesn't quite jive with the book is that Valjean is in hiding for all of his life.  The book made it seem like he was well hidden, but that he still went places with Cosette, like to the park, and out to do different things- but this movie made it seem like he kept Cosette inside all the time in fear and in hiding.  I don't agree with that portrayal.  Let me know what you think.

Fantine:  I have my opinions on the arrangement of the music for this character, but Anne Hathaway did a great job! Her voice, how creepily skinny she was at her lowest point, and her acting- it was all very convincing.  Hooper did show the selling of the locket, and Fantine selling her teeth and hair which were both in the book, so I was impressed at the way that was added.  The one thing that I did not agree with, is how Hooper showed her first experience as a prostitute.  That was a big no-no!  Not only did my little cousin have to cover her eyes, but it ruined the movie for her.  There is a reason why they don't show that on stage, there is a reason why Hugo does not go into detail about it in his book, and I have my own reasons why I hated that being shown.  Therefore, I think the three of us can say, would have been much better to leave it out.  Leaving that in has decreased the amount of people that will buy the movie when it comes out.  I Promise.

Javert:  A lot of people will disagree with me, but I liked Russell Crowe in this part because it was so original.  His singing didn't have a lot of emotion, and didn't vary much...at all...but it created a character who is loyal and true to the law.  This character has always been portrayed as an "keeping the law extremist" (which is actually closer to the character written by Hugo) but I kind of liked Crowe's character because his change wasn't so extreme, and so when he ends his own life, you aren't left wondering what happened to the tough, mean, and extreme Javert. Since Hooper was trying to make this closer to the book, I would have to say that this Javert wasn't exactly Hugo material (but personally, I did like him and I love love loved the scene where Javert gives his medal of honor to Gavroche!)

Cosette: She was cute.  I liked her voice a lot on some songs, and really didn't like it on others.  As far as her character and Hugo's description...I can say that Amanda Seyfried did bring Cosette to life.

Little Cosette:  She was even cuter! great voice- Castle on a cloud was lovely.

The Thénardiers: I was surprised with these two because they have always been the comical relief in the musical, but they are shown in this movie as what Hugo made them to be.  Purely Evil.  They did a good job at being evil, and I could see that to oppose the evilness of the characters, the director tried to put things in there that might be seen as comical,  but a lot of those things were not comical to me.  These include "Santa," Mr. Thénardier peeing in to a bottle to give to someone else as a drink, etc.  These little un-needed extras were one of the things that contributed to my overall disapproval of this movie. 

Marius: He did a good job.  Wonderful voice, good acting.  In the book Marius had multiple experiences seeing Cosette and that is how he fell in love with her, I am surprised that Hooper did not capture that.  Perhaps he didn't have enough time.

Enjolras: I loved his character.  He fit perfectly for this role, and my best friend already has a crush on him or, well his voice.

Éponine: Barks of course had a great voice which is why she played this role on the stage, but I think she had a little difficulty changing to the big screen.  Overall I liked her, but as far as fitting the character from the book, she was too sweet.  Éponine according to Hugo was always ruff and tough around the edges and awkwardly tried to be feminine around Marius. She's not someone you want to mess with, yet she has a desire to be girly, or at least be seen as beautiful through the eyes of Marius.  Barks was all girly.

Gavroche: I loved this boy.  It showed a little or at least hinted a little at the relationship between Éponine and him.  If you haven't read the book, they are siblings.  I did appreciate that the director hinted at that relationship, and that they had a great shot of Gavroche singing while ridding on the carriage.  It was a great way to show how important Gavroche was in that area, and show that he has a big role to play.  Usually in the musical, it's harder to make him seem like an important character.

Overview:  I was overall disappointed with this film.  There were some very talented actors, who did an incredible job, I loved the singing, but I was a little shocked at the liberty that Tom Hooper took with the re-arrangement of songs, and even adding a new song to such a popular and well loved musical.  He changed parts, cut out songs, and the new song he added didn't fit in at all.  It was a tender song, but didn't fit the other music.  Hooper did portray some characters a little truer to Hugo's description, and that usually is not as possible on stage- but on the other hand- There were some scenes that went a little too far in trying to show their life experiences (according to someones opinion).  I went to this movie expecting the Les Mis that I know and love, and came out disappointed.  I only hope that when Wicked and the Lion King musicals come out in the theaters that this "quest for something new and exciting" doesn't kill the classic versions of these other musicals that I love. O sea, espero que no pase lo mismo.

If you read this whole thing, you are amazing.  Everyone will have different thoughts, and I would love to hear what they are!