Movie #709 .........................."Les Miserables " (2012)

Movie #709 "Les Miserables" --- Let me start by saying this is probably my very favorite musical, and I have had the great opportunity to get to see it 4 or 5 times in my lifetime. I know the songs well,I read the book (abridged, but that was fine!), I've conducted workshops for audiences pre-viewing the show,so let's say I have history, and definite attitudes about this one. The movie is not as good as the musical stage show --- surprise! surprise! What's missing? The idea that these people on stage work their butts off in three hours to go through hell and back in telling this epic story -- Jean Val Jean can sing "Bring him home" like Colm Wilkinson (who is incidentally playing the bishop in the movie -- nice touch) when I first saw it, Eponine joined Jean and Fantine in singing the death song; Javert needs to be able to sing well because he has some of the best songs to sing in the show, the signature marching on stage with the little kid on the shoulder waving the flag, Gavroche's full song of "Little People" and probably other things I missed along the way. That being said, what did I appreciate? Fantine --- this is truly Anne Hathaway's chance to pick up the Oscar because her parts shine through; she is absolutely wonderful; that the movie is a bit clearer in the lyrics, and story (because every time I have ever gotten a chance to see it, I'm so far away, and this was up close and personal)and best of all, by putting this great musical on film, it has made it accessible to so many more people --- and the music and story are deserving of that! Hats off to all involved for making this possible. I gave it 4 stars out of 5 Les Misérables 2012 PG-13 The musical version of Victor Hugo's epic tale of love and sacrifice, first produced for the stage in 1985, now receives the big-screen treatment. The bloody era of the French Revolution is the backdrop to Jean Valjean's long struggle for redemption. Cast:Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, Colm Wilkinson, Bertie Carvel Genre:Contemporary Movie Musicals, Dramas Based on Classic Literature, Romantic Dramas, Drama