Les Miserables (2012)

Thanks to Churp2, I managed to capture the screening of Les Miserables a few days before it's out!

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. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette (Isabelle Allen, Amanda Seyfried), their lives change forever.




Verdict: 9/10. Yes, it was that good for me :) The songs were so beautifully sung, and some parts so heart-wrenching that  it made me tear quite a few times. I would say the highlight of the movie would be when Anne Hathaway sang the song "I Dreamed a Dream" made famous by Susan Boyle :) You could really see her heart ache, and the hope break in that rendition.

One of the reasons why I was so excited to catch this when it opens is because of its All Star cast. Who can resist Hugh Jackman? Did you know that he was a broadway actor before he got his big break in Hollywood? if not, go Youtube "Oklahoma" and you'll see (video below)

Everything about this musical was so beautiful and I have to give the Director a two-thumbs up for being able to capture the raw emotions during the French Revolution, as well as the desperation of the people. He also managed to bring out the hardship faced by the people, and the great lengths people would go to in order to survive.

Amongst its cast members, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter were awesome as the Thenardiers (their famous song is "Master of the House"), and Samantha Barks' debut as Eponine was haunting, when she sang "On My Own", a song of heartbreak and acceptance.

If you love musicals, be sure to give this a go, and be amazed by the beautiful voices of every cast member. One important thing to note, is that every song is sung live, as opposed to being pre-recorded and then lip-synched as is usually the norm in film musicals, there's a more naturalistic feel to the singing. It doesn't smack of artifice, instead the numbers flow with a more realistic sensibility.

Les Miserables opens in cinemas on Christmas Day, 25th December, so head on to your local cinema to catch it!