Wednesday, August 14, 2013

LES MISERABLES: REVIEW


Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Golden Globe winner, Sacha Baron Cohen, Academy Awards nominee, Helena Bonham Carter, and Academy Award Winner, Russell Crowe star in this beautifully recreated award winning Broadway show, Les Miserables. Each scene is perfectly merged with superb music and drama, with a little dip of romance and a little touch of comedy. It is hard to compare the cast of the original Broadway Show to the cast of the motion picture but the ensemble in this film has proven more than worthy.

Not to mention each and every song was unquestionably mesmerizing from beginning to end. Only gifted actors like the Les Mis cast could pull off singing live throughout filming. I felt they were destined to play their roles. Hugh Jackman's performance of Jean Valjean executes the overwhelming drama, courage, and kindness of his captivating character. In the scene, Valjean's Soliloquy, Jackman, in undoubtedly the best performance of his career, exhibits enough charismatic emotion to bring him home the Academy Award.

Every protagonist needs an antagonist and Russell Crowe serves the role as Javert sensationally. Dogging Valjean's every step, Javert is relentless in his pursuit of justice. During Javert's final scene,Crowe emits a multitude of emotions that will make even a heart of stone tremble. Russell Crowe will surely get a nomination for best supporting actor.

In every drama there needs to be a character or two to balance and add a bit of comedy. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are fiendishly funny in their show stopping scene, Master of the House. You will literally be laughing out loud and singing out "Everybody bless the landlord, everybody bless his spouse" . Their performance makes you want to raise a glass to the Master of the House!

But the star who really shined the brightest and can't go unmentioned was Anne Hathaway. Her role of Fantine was unforgettable. The emotion she infused into that character could only be pulled off by such a mesmerizing actress. Anne Hathaway and her performance is destined for Oscar Gold.

Les Miserables is definitely one of the best films of the year. This emotionally captivating story nails everything from its A list cast to its musical talents. It is not a film to be missed by any cinema lover.

4 stars

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