Les Misérables
I'm not usually one for musicals, but part of hosting a podcast where I interview my guests on their most loved movies, I owe it to them and myself to watch their title, so we can discuss it equally.
That's what brought me to watch Les Misérables. Surely you’ve heard of the film or at least the famous stage show, but if you haven’t, it takes places over many decades across France, is rich in themes, and landmark songs that depicts one man’s journey to win his freedom.
That man in question being Jean Valjean (played brilliantly by Jackman) who we see struggling to find a life for himself after serving 19 years as a prisoner. Hot on his trail is Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) who will stop at nothing to apprehend his man and lock him back up. While on the run, Valjean finds himself helping others less fortunate than himself, and it’s these acts of selflessness that make his character, and this classic story, so gripping and emotionally satisfying.
Some movies have a number of catchy songs and dance numbers, but also contain scenes of dialogue (think "Grease"). But Les Mis as it's called for short, doesn't stop in terms of its singing, as even the scenes of dramatic dialogue between characters is sung word-for-word. The film starts with a bang, and doesn't let up, with Jackman and Anne Hathaway in her Oscar winning role in particular, really shining on screen.
The films’ main theme is about one man’s internal struggle
to do the right thing, even as he is completely preoccupied with securing his
own freedom over the years with the law in hot pursuit. He is given many
chances to redeem himself, and along the way, learns that by helping others, he
is ultimately helping himself.
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