'Les Misérables' is one of those films I had been looking forward to see for months and months. I'd never seen this one as a theatre production, but obviously I love a great piece of music and I love a great film even more. As for a musical film - it really doesn't get any better than this. The entire cast is outstanding and Anne Hathaway's 'I dreamed a dreamed' solo has to be one of the most gripping scenes in a musical film ever. The live singing (see video below) is definitely what makes 'Les Misérables' stand out from other musical films and this is just one of the great decisions director Tom Hooper made that I absolutely applaud. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter add some welcome comic relief to the film and since I have a huge crush on Eddie Redmayne I loved seeing him as Marius. His rendition of 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables' is a real tear-jerker. Aaron Tveit (Trip from 'Gossip Girl'!) as Enjolras really impressed me as well and little Isabelle Allen as a young Cosette and Daniel Huttlestone as Gavroche are both superb. The fact that almost áll lines in this film were sung did get on my nerves just a little bit and I believe the film could have even been better (and shorter) if they had spoken some of the words instead of sung.. but I do realise this sounds like I don't understand musicals all that much and it might, of course, offend some people. So anyway, otherwise in one word I think this film is stunning.
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Miserables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption - a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Hugh Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Russell Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's (Anne Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette (Isabelle Allen and Amanda Seyfried), their lives change forever.
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