The 2012 award-winning classic “Les Miserables” returned to theaters for just one week this month across different theaters.
The Dolby Cinematic movie experience stars Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, among others in this tale of love and justice on the brink of a revolution.
Following the parole of prisoner Jean Valjean, played by Hugh Jackman, audiences are taken on a journey of self-discovery and repentance. The audience sees his reflection in a time of weakness dramatically turn into endurance to become a better person. For more than 30 years, characters go through different moments in their lives that are, for better or worse, in direct relation to Valjean.
Upon its initial release, “Les Miserables” won multiple Academy Awards and Golden Globes for acting and screenplay. Its opening weekend in December 2012 received over $18 million at the box office.
Having known very little about this work, I was shocked to learn that it was a sung-through musical. There was little to no dialogue between the characters, unless put to song. In the musical aspect, I was blown away by the pure talent and training of these actors. Big names like Aaron Tveit and Samantha Barks, each having originated a lead role on Broadway, gave stunning performances by showing their skill through song.
READ MORE: Next up: These three underclassmen are the future of LSU men’s basketball
“On My Own” is an iconic ballad, showcasing unrequited love and all of the emotions it produces. Barks gave audiences across the nation an intense enactment that captivated the hearts of anyone watching. Although Tveit’s character was introduced later in the film, his production in the movie was memorable. The fierceness shown within his character through song is something that only Tveit can portray.
Anne Hathaway, an actress not commonly known for her singing, gave an emotionally powerful version of Fantine, and what hardships one can go through with no warning. The scene containing “I Dreamed a Dream” was a piece of storytelling that would have anyone in tears. There is no shortage of ability in these actors. It was truly an impeccable cast.
As far as critiques go, there are a few. The movie felt long, but that simply cannot be helped when it was adapted from a book of almost 1500 pages. It could be accredited to the ongoing musical dialect with no breaks for stagnant conversations.
MORE MOVIES: Are we living in a dystopia? Comparisons between the Apple Vision Pro and ‘Ready Player One’
My next commentary is on the lack of vibrato in the performance of Russel Crowe. As a renowned actor, he simply could not keep up with the rest of the musically inclined cast. It may have been an artistic choice for the character trying to keep up with Valjean—in which case I can approve—but that may be a stretch.
Regardless of these critiques, time didn’t taint this piece of art. I still walked out of the theater inspired to have a passion, or even a revolution, of my own. Nearing its 12th anniversary, “Les Miserables” is one of the most profound productions to go from stage to screen. If you have the opportunity to hear the people sing, you will surely not be disappointed.
