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In this Discussion
After the old forum software breaking in a way that we were unable to fix, we've migrated the site to a new platform.
Some elements aren't working as we'd hoped - some avatars didn't survive the transition, and we're still having issues with attachments that weren't added as inline images, but we're hoping to have that all sorted out soon.
Some elements aren't working as we'd hoped - some avatars didn't survive the transition, and we're still having issues with attachments that weren't added as inline images, but we're hoping to have that all sorted out soon.
Les Miserable - a spoilerific review!
WARNING - DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS
That said, anyone who's missed out on the main thrust of this story that's been around for 150 years has probably been living under a rock.
Introduction
I'm writing this from the perspective of an ex-professional singer. Les Mis is without a doubt my favourite musical, so I'm a bit passionate about it's portrayal. I've been excited about what I've seen in the leadup to its release, but wasn't thrilled with some of the casting choices, particularly Russell Crowe.
So I went in with high expectations, tempered by the knowledge that some aspects would be a let down.
Overview
Overall, this is a fantastic adaption to the screen. There are some absolutely brilliant, inspired moments in there and some truly lovely singing. The performances from some of the cast are first rate.
It's a pity the producers felt the need to put some name stars in the lead and some of the choices overall were questionable in my opinion.
One big bugbear that got me from the outset was the decision to shoot in 1.85:1. I don't think I've seen a film in anything less than the current widescreen standard of 2.40:1 in a long, long time and it really threw me in the cinema.
For those that don't know, the producers have done something they're claiming is unique in the filming of a movie musical. Rather than recording the score first, then having the actors individually record their parts in the studio, then mime to it on set, they've allowed the cast to have a greater degree of influence over the musical direction by recording them singing on set (piano accompanist in a hidden earpiece following their lead) and then conducting the orchestra to the actor's singing instead.
At some points it works, at others it's incredibly distracting and I believe contributed to some truly poor vocal performances by the leads.
Some may forgive the poor vocal performance in favour of the acting, but I'd like to point out that musical theatre has been turning in stellar acting performances for quite a long time now, thank you very much - we've got enough talent out there that we don't need to hire poor vocalists for their acting skills alone.
Similarly, the cinematography was by turns brilliant and just odd - going from realistic portrayals of 19th century France to glaring caricatures - particularly the staging of the barricade.
The addition of a new song "Suddenly, a Generic Marketing Ploy Appears" (Wait, that's not right....) written just for this production was forgettable, trite and unnecessary.
However, even with its faults, some of the performances turned in were nothing sort of spectacular and this version has transformed how I see this musical - I've always felt the first act 'made' Les Mis. This production has given me a new appreciation for the second and third acts.
Jean Valjean - Hugh Jackman
In the trailers Jackman really sold me on the 'record first, ask questions later' production ploy.
In the film, he ruined it for me. Overacting absolutely every solo he could get his hands on, his voice could go from wonderful to a ruinous pitchy mess within seconds. He destroyed one of my favourites "Bring Him Home" by belting it out and overaccted a lot of what I consider to be the critical first act. He had some stunning moments and really pulled out some great singing - when he allowed himself to forget about overacting.
Javert - Russell Crowe
This was the choice that nearly made me not see the film at all. I don't like Crowe's body of work, he grates on me in general and the trailers made it clear he was vocally not up to the job.
He surprised me - in the end, I preferred his performance to that of Jackman's.
Despite not being nearly as competent a singer, Crowe at least respected the music and his acting choices didn't negatively impact his singing. He also had some truly lovely moments, particularly in the first act with Valjean and Fantine and his voice at times has a lovely resonance.
Unfortunately he absolutely murdered 'Stars' and 'Javert's Suicide' - two critical moments in the film. He doesn't have the control (particularly as he descends down in pitch) and relies on the wrong parts of his body for support. As a result, his tone is plummy, breathy and laboured.
However, I truly enjoyed his performance as a whole - one of the few times I can say that about Crowe.
Fantine - Anne Hathaway
If she doesn't get an Oscar for this I'll eat my hat.
Glorious, incandescent, incredible performance. Marred slightly by the temptation to overact also, but overall a truly stellar, moving performance with fantastic vocals.
Cosette - Amanda Seyfried
An odd choice, Seyfried looks the part but sounds like a tweeting bird when she sings. Pretty, even beautiful sound at times - but lacks power and control and couldn't sustain her sound in the face of the more demanding songs. She didn't flub them, not even close and she wasn't the disappointment that Jackman and Crowe were. She also did a lovely job of the duets and trios.
Th
That said, anyone who's missed out on the main thrust of this story that's been around for 150 years has probably been living under a rock.
Introduction
I'm writing this from the perspective of an ex-professional singer. Les Mis is without a doubt my favourite musical, so I'm a bit passionate about it's portrayal. I've been excited about what I've seen in the leadup to its release, but wasn't thrilled with some of the casting choices, particularly Russell Crowe.
So I went in with high expectations, tempered by the knowledge that some aspects would be a let down.
Overview
Overall, this is a fantastic adaption to the screen. There are some absolutely brilliant, inspired moments in there and some truly lovely singing. The performances from some of the cast are first rate.
It's a pity the producers felt the need to put some name stars in the lead and some of the choices overall were questionable in my opinion.
One big bugbear that got me from the outset was the decision to shoot in 1.85:1. I don't think I've seen a film in anything less than the current widescreen standard of 2.40:1 in a long, long time and it really threw me in the cinema.
For those that don't know, the producers have done something they're claiming is unique in the filming of a movie musical. Rather than recording the score first, then having the actors individually record their parts in the studio, then mime to it on set, they've allowed the cast to have a greater degree of influence over the musical direction by recording them singing on set (piano accompanist in a hidden earpiece following their lead) and then conducting the orchestra to the actor's singing instead.
At some points it works, at others it's incredibly distracting and I believe contributed to some truly poor vocal performances by the leads.
Some may forgive the poor vocal performance in favour of the acting, but I'd like to point out that musical theatre has been turning in stellar acting performances for quite a long time now, thank you very much - we've got enough talent out there that we don't need to hire poor vocalists for their acting skills alone.
Similarly, the cinematography was by turns brilliant and just odd - going from realistic portrayals of 19th century France to glaring caricatures - particularly the staging of the barricade.
The addition of a new song "Suddenly, a Generic Marketing Ploy Appears" (Wait, that's not right....) written just for this production was forgettable, trite and unnecessary.
However, even with its faults, some of the performances turned in were nothing sort of spectacular and this version has transformed how I see this musical - I've always felt the first act 'made' Les Mis. This production has given me a new appreciation for the second and third acts.
Jean Valjean - Hugh Jackman
In the trailers Jackman really sold me on the 'record first, ask questions later' production ploy.
In the film, he ruined it for me. Overacting absolutely every solo he could get his hands on, his voice could go from wonderful to a ruinous pitchy mess within seconds. He destroyed one of my favourites "Bring Him Home" by belting it out and overaccted a lot of what I consider to be the critical first act. He had some stunning moments and really pulled out some great singing - when he allowed himself to forget about overacting.
Javert - Russell Crowe
This was the choice that nearly made me not see the film at all. I don't like Crowe's body of work, he grates on me in general and the trailers made it clear he was vocally not up to the job.
He surprised me - in the end, I preferred his performance to that of Jackman's.
Despite not being nearly as competent a singer, Crowe at least respected the music and his acting choices didn't negatively impact his singing. He also had some truly lovely moments, particularly in the first act with Valjean and Fantine and his voice at times has a lovely resonance.
Unfortunately he absolutely murdered 'Stars' and 'Javert's Suicide' - two critical moments in the film. He doesn't have the control (particularly as he descends down in pitch) and relies on the wrong parts of his body for support. As a result, his tone is plummy, breathy and laboured.
However, I truly enjoyed his performance as a whole - one of the few times I can say that about Crowe.
Fantine - Anne Hathaway
If she doesn't get an Oscar for this I'll eat my hat.
Glorious, incandescent, incredible performance. Marred slightly by the temptation to overact also, but overall a truly stellar, moving performance with fantastic vocals.
Cosette - Amanda Seyfried
An odd choice, Seyfried looks the part but sounds like a tweeting bird when she sings. Pretty, even beautiful sound at times - but lacks power and control and couldn't sustain her sound in the face of the more demanding songs. She didn't flub them, not even close and she wasn't the disappointment that Jackman and Crowe were. She also did a lovely job of the duets and trios.
Th
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