Big Screen Breakdown: Les Miserables

I went with my cousin J.C. to see Les Miserables (also known as Crying: The Musical) on New Year's Eve. Rather than write up a full review, I've opted to just jot down a few thoughts I had while watching the movie and during the hours afterwards. I'll probably do this for most movies I watch from now on. Some of these thoughts may even be insightful, so be sure to read them all!

• Wolverine fights Gladiator in order to save the life of Catwoman's daughter, Little Red Riding Hood. It's, like, the crossover of the century!
• I've never been an Anne Hathaway detractor - in fact, I've always liked her. Yet I'm still surprised that she was as good as she was in this movie. When did Ella Enchanted become one of the best actresses in Hollywood?
• I was pleasantly surprised by Gerard Butler Russell Crowe as Javert. He was still probably the weakest singer in the ensemble, but he exceeded my expectations, and managed to genuinely impress on more than one occasion (see especially "Confrontation" and the scene when Valjean finds him at the barricade).
• Amanda Seyfried has a beautiful voice. Who knew? I wish she had more breath control so we could have heard those nice high notes longer.
• J.C. pointed out that there's no title card in the movie. How the heck were we supposed to know what we were watching?
• Love Hugh Jackman. Love his voice. Sadly, I'm not sure he was the best choice for Valjean. I grew up listening to Colm Wilkinson sing the part, and so in my head, THAT'S what Jean Valjean should sound like. And Hugh Jackman, through no fault of his own, is no Colm Wilkinson.
• Hey, look, Colm Wilkinson is in the movie!
• Poor Fantine has the worst experience of her life. She's in tears, losing her faith in God and humanity... and I'm in the audience eating Raisinets. There's something wrong with that picture.
• "Valjean's Soliloquy" features some peculiar cinematography. Jackman sings directly to the camera while going through his crisis of conscience. It's a bizarre decision, and a risky one on the part of the director, but one that I think ultimately works.
• Geez, they wrote an original song just for the movie. Thankfully, "Suddenly" doesn't suck. It explains most of Valjean's behavior for the rest of the story in a way that nothing in the original production really did. It's not the strongest song I've heard, but it's pretty nice still.
• Actually, they make a lot of changes to the music from the stage production. Broadway fans should be patient, though, as most of the changes make sense and work within the context of the movie. None of your favorite songs have been cut (unless "Dog Eat Dog" was you favorite song, in which case, brother, you and I won't ever understand each other).
• Well, okay, ONE change from the original music really smarts. Marius gets a line in the original production where he wonders who rescued him from the barricade. Without that line, I honestly assumed he knew. The ending gets a little confusing without that.
• No, seriously guys: Anne Hathaway may be the best part of the movie. That's the second time she's done that to me this year!
• Unrelated to the movie - I think New Year's Eve movies may be my new favorite tradition I've only done once.
• Verdict: Recommended

The Les Mis Cast Raises Some Concerns...

Hey, there's a big-screen adaptation of the Les Miserables musical coming soon. That's cool. I love that show. I wonder who's in it...

Hugh Jackman... Okay, I can get behind that. He's a talented singer and a big enough name to attract some attention all on his lonesome. Who else... Russell Crowe... Anne Hathaway...

Wait, WHO'S THAT?


That's... That's really strange.

Okay, some people might think I dislike Taylor Swift (although I have NO idea where they'd get that idea). Truth is, she's really good at what she does... which is pop country. Pop. Country. Not Broadway showtunes. Popcountry.

I'm not even saying she'll do a bad job. She'll probably be fine. I mean, she has a pretty voice, and Eponine's songs rely on a bit more tragic sweetness than full-force belting. Taylor swift's voice may even be a good match for this role.

Still, it's obvious that most of these roles are being filled by people with name recognition over those with perhaps more suitable talent. On the other side of the pop star casting, you get Helena Bonham Carter, who didn't exactly impress with her singing in Sweeney Todd. Again, she'll probably do fine in the role she's playing - Madame Thenardier is a GREAT character role, and Helena Bonham Carter is a GREAT character actress. Outside of the music, the casting is ideal.

I don't understand this desire in Hollywood to take big names and stuff them into roles that they'll be mediocre at. You wind up with excellent talent like Gerard Butler and Pierce Brosnan, and they sound EMBARASSING. You COULD staff your musical with more players like Taylor Swift, but then you run the risk of embarassing yourself in other ways. Hope Miss Swift remembers her drama club lessons... did she even GO to high school?

Imagine if the folks behind Les Mis had let themselves get carried away with this trend - casting popular musicians in roles JUST for a fancier marquee.

"Who are we casting now? Jean Valjean? What's this guy's story? High singing voice? Okay, here's who you get."


"Who's next... Thenardier? What's he, a comic relief guy, right? We need someone a little goofy... Got it!"


"All right, we're on a roll. Last one... Gavroche? A kid? Oh, this is easy."


Okay, cynicism aside, this looks like it could be a good movie. Most of the casting choices MAKE SENSE, once you get past the initial eyebrow raise. And, personally, I'm really excited to see Sasha Baron Cohen in another musical role. Guy's impressed me, and that's something I never thought I'd say about Borat.