So, the two of us saw Les Misérables last night, a handsome, emotive production that was 99% singing, about half of that through tears. Turns out, I don’t much care for the Les Mis story, so despite the film’s strengths, I was a bit underwhelmed.
But then, I come at Les Mis without any particular knowledge of the show other than a basic outline and the standout numbers, so I didn’t approach it with the affection for the source material my esteemed colleague has. I found the constant singing wearying, because exposition didn’t magically become more interesting just because it was sung in rhyme. (And 24601 rhymes with Jean ValJean – how convenient!) And I like musicals. It was just too much like opera for me. I found myself anticipating rhymes rather than being absorbed by the story, and I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t as much about the direction or performances as it was about Les Mis itself that wasn’t gripping me.
As to the rest of it: the actors are all very good – at acting, anyway. Both Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman have problems; Rusty gives it a red hot go and works within his limitations, but Javert’s two big solo numbers are spiffed up with cinematic effects that the director doesn’t use on any of the other solos, and it doesn’t speak well of his performance. Meanwhile, Jackman’s occasional straining against the tempo and for the high notes provide occasional unwanted dissonance, as he falls into the trap of Jean ValJean’s bombasticity. But otherwise it’s all good, with special high points being Anne Hathaway’s Fantine and Samantha Barks’ Eponine. Both their big name songs are high points of the film. I even enjoyed Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as the comic relief, because they brought a some colour and theatrical liveliness to the rather depressing endeavour.
(Which, yes, I cried, because it was sad, on multiple occasions. I’m not made of stone.)
Overall, I think it’s a fairly strong adaptation of a stage show I don’t much care about, with some absolutely sublime moments dotted about the film. Not bad, just not entirely for me.
Macguffin & McGuffin 