Jean Valjean is a convict on parole who changes his name in
an attempt to become an honest man, all the while evading capture by Inspector,
Javert. Meanwhile Fantine, a working girl loses her job for having an
illegitimate child, Cosette. The child is looked after by a family of
innkeepers who treat her poorly. Fantine resorts to prostitution in order to
pay for her daughter’s keep at the inn but later dies without ever seeing her
daughter again. Valjean vows to look after Cosette and chooses to leave a
simple life to protect her and keep away from Javert who has found out who
Valjean really is. Cosette falls in love with Marius, a young man who is part
of those fighting the state in the June Revolution.
I almost don’t want to call this a film; it is more a
filming of an incredibly elaborate stage show. Performed almost entirely in
song, this was an extremely powerful piece. It evoked such deep emotions of
hope, fear and loss it drove many in the audience to tears on quite a few
occasions, including myself.
For those who don’t know of his past as a stage actor, Hugh
Jackman will surprise many with his talents which are pretty fantastic,
especially in ‘Who Am I?’ His talents are seemingly unending.
In fact, the entire cast have incredible voices (with the
possible exception of Amanda Seyfried, who was patchy in places like in Mamma
Mia, but each to their own) especially Anne Hathaway’s ‘I Dreamed A Dream’
which was truly magical. The scene where Fantine sells her hair is particularly
emotive as those are real tears as her hair was hacked off with a blade during
filming.
I won't give details of the deaths but I would advise you to
take a tissue or two. Everything you expect not to happen in this film happens,
and will make you gasp at what just happened in front of your eyes.
Character-wise, the audience connects with every single one
on such a level its heart-breaking when something happens, good or bad. Young
Cosette is so innocent and fragile with a beautiful voice. Even Javert who is
always on Valjean’s tail, you connect to him in a way that one never does with
the villains of a film.
The entire film is
pure musical incredible-ness and leaves you speechless when the credits roll.
Or that may be just from crying so much.
Having not seen the stage performance, I don’t know how it
compares but as its own film it’s just amazing and even if you’re not a fan of
song I would recommend it
