Les Miserablés | Teen Ink

Les Miserablés

January 3, 2013
By NickBottom SILVER, BURKE, Virginia
NickBottom SILVER, BURKE, Virginia
8 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is everything."
-Frank Zappa

"What doesn't kill you makes you stranger."
-Heath Ledger


Despite what many are saying, I believe that Les Miserablés is one of the best movies to come out this year. I am totally in love with the stage play and book of Les Miserablés, and the movie was no exception to the trend. Many people's first complaint is that Hugh Jackman, who played the central role of "Jean Valjean", couldn't sing. The first time I saw the movie, I agreed. Second time, I was iffy. Third time, I loved it. In my opinion, Jackman's voice is an aquired taste. It is interesting, and uniquely beautiful. Anyway, this is his first musical! Give the man a break. The same applies to Russell Crow, co-starring as the relentless law-man "Javert." His voice is deep and emotional, and a pleasure to listen to. However, one of my favorite moments of the entire movie was Anne Hathaway's rendition of the famous song "I Dreamed A Dream." Hathaway's character, "Fantine", is a poor, working woman, forced into a life of prostitution, because she has to pay for her daughter, and she lost her job in a factory. Her strring performance brought tears to my eyes, as well as everybody else in the theater. I absolutely loved Sacha Baron-Cohen and Helena Bonham-Carter in the roles of "Monsieur Thernardier" and "Madame Thernardier." The comic relief of this horribly depressing musical, the "Thernardiers" bring life and hillarity to the stage. Baron-Cohen and Bonham-Carter definitely delivered. Another nice surprise was the amazing voices of Amanda Seyfried ("Cosette") and Eddie Redmayne ("Marius"). Redmayne's performance of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" was extremely moving, and they were both excellent throughout the movie. All in all, I would give this film a 4/5, and I hope to see it many times again.
P.S. A bit of advice. If you aren't familiar with the story, bring tissues. You're gonna' cry.



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This article has 3 comments.


on Jan. 9 2013 at 10:00 am
AnnabelLee423 SILVER, Somewhere, Other
6 articles 0 photos 22 comments

Favorite Quote:
Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof.

Believe me, you need tissues even if you've read the book!! I, in two words, was fascinated!

on Jan. 8 2013 at 6:32 pm
NickBottom SILVER, BURKE, Virginia
8 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is everything."
-Frank Zappa

"What doesn't kill you makes you stranger."
-Heath Ledger

Thanks for letting me know! I thought this as his first musical.

Ailsa GOLD said...
on Jan. 7 2013 at 7:57 pm
Ailsa GOLD, Marietta, Georgia
12 articles 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
"when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth" - Arthur Conan Doyle

Hugh Jackman has done many musicals on stage, i dont think any were filmed. i enjoyed this movie a lot :D