Les Miz Review

I knew going into this film that I was going to pick it to pieces. I have grown up loving the music and the spectacle. There is a style and a certain performance for each part that is ingrained in my mind. For example, if Jean Valjean is not Colm Wilkinson, then it pretty much does nothing for me. Each year I teach a unit on Les Miserables to my sixth grade students. We read a condensed version of the novel and then watch the Les Miz concert with Colm. It never gets old. I loved that he played the Bishop. Kam even turned to me and said, "That sounds like the guy who played Jean Valjean in the show we watched." Good ear, Kam!

I went in with low expectations and tried to love it more than I did. It was a good film (B-  maybe) but it didn't move me when I wanted it to. Here's what I liked: the movie focused a lot on the Revolution. The songs were the same, but it seemed to bring out the story of the Revolution and its importance. Loved that! My main complaint of the film is that Les Miz is supposed to be a big, bolstering musical power, but the intimacy of film took much of that away. Many songs pulled back and didn't go for the rafters. Too many close-ups. I wanted the actors to just let go, but most times they didn't.

I really wanted to like Hugh Jackman. I have never not liked him with his past performances. I thought he gave Valjean a great character and nailed his redemption, but I'm sorry, his voice SUCKED! Way too high and tinny. Sorry, Hugh. You are not my Jean Valjean. (Grade: B)

Worst part of the show. Russell Crowe was woefully miscast. (Grade: F)

I hate Fantine. Everyone hates Fantine. She is a whining little...anyway, I've never been a fan of her character or her voice. Anne Hathaway totally turned me on my heels though. She made me cry like a baby. I LOVED her! Who would have thought? (Grade: A-, I bring her down a bit for her death scene--a little too much drama)

Hilarious! The Thenardiers don't need strong voices--they just need to provide the slime and humor. Sasha Baron Cohen was perfect. I was giggling every time he was on screen. (Grades: Thenardier- A-, Madame Thenardier- B)

Listening to Amanda Seyfried sing is what I imagine a unicorn would sound like when singing. That's not a compliment. Marius can either be a great force in the show (Michael Ball) or someone to laugh at (Nick Jonas). Eddie Redmayne was my favorite part of the show! Fantastic acting and singing. I rooted for him and loved every moment of his performance. (Grades: Cosette- D, Marius- A)

If you don't love Eponine, then you have no business loving Les Miserables. She is always my favorite in the show and if you have a good Eponine, you can overlook most everything else. Samantha Banks was just about perfect in every way. I loved, loved her. "A Little Fall of Rain" is the reason why I will see this again someday. (Grade: A)