Hi my lovely readers, hope you're all well! Well it's time for the
inevitable Les Mis film post...sorry this hasn't been done earlier (I'm
appalled that it's a week since I saw the film and I haven't posted yet!) but
I've been busy writing an essay on postmodernism (don't ask!) for uni so
haven't had much time for blogging. Anyway here we go...please note there may
be spoilers ahead so if you haven't watch the film yet go and do so and then
come back and continue reading!!!
Well...I went to see Les Mis last Friday and I cannot tell you how excited I
was for this film...I'd even brought tickets as soon as they'd come out just to
make sure I got them. It was lucky I did as people were actually queuing to get
into our local Odeon and that was with a viewing at nearly every half hour!
Well after a ridiculous amount of adverts (thank God you don't get those
when you go to the theatre) the film started and just blew me away from start
to finish. The main thing that impressed me was how much it was like the stage
production. I know it wasn't exactly identical but it really seemed to say to
people this is what a musical really is, isn't it great, come and join our
world!!! This was quite refreshing after so many musical films changing just to
give the general public a good time and seeming to throw away the true essence
of the musical...well done Les Mis on staying true to your routes!!!
The casting was superb and the singing was just phenomenal; the fact that it
was actually done on set made it so real and the emotions seem a lot more raw!
The sets all looked incredible...it was just an amazing film to watch. My only
two overall criticisms are that: one, there so needed to be an interval after
One Day More, it was just crying out for it; and two, I was a bit unsure about
Javert's death, although I think this was more to do with the amazing way the
stage show portrays it which just wouldn't have been possible in a film.
Right, so on with the cast...well Hugh Jackman made a brilliant Valjean; his
singing was beautiful with 'Bring Him Home' being so heartfelt. He gave the
character the real depth it needed.
Russell Crowe's Javert was so commanding and powerful. I'd heard quite a few
bad things about him in this role but I seriously don't know where people are
coming from...he was amazing. Plus, his version of 'Stars' just blew me
away...the emotion he portrayed in that song was immense.
Now here's for the shock...I personally wasn't too keen on Anne Hathaway as
Fantine. I think this is probably just because I can't see her as anyone other
than Princess Mia from the Princess Diaries. She did nothing technically wrong
and her version of 'I Dreamed a Dream' was beautiful but she just didn't work
in the part for me.
Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) and Eddie Redmayne (Marius) both did brilliant
jobs; they were so passionate and connected towards each other it was beautiful
to behold (and this is coming from someone who isn't particularly fond of
Cosette and Marius as characters!) and Redmayne's 'Empty Chairs at Empty
Tables' sent shivers down my spine!
Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen did a fantastic job as the
Thenardier's. Similar to Crowe, I've heard a bit of criticism about Cohen but,
personally, I didn't find any problem with him and was actually quite
impressed. This was possibly because I'm not a big fan of his and rather
dislike his other films (Borat etc.) so wasn't expecting much in the first
place. Carter was brilliant as usual and I found the banter between the two of
them really provided a touch of light relief to the film...when Cohen referred
to Cosette as courgette I just couldn't stop laughing.
A special mention needs to go to Isabelle Allen who gave a beautiful and
heart felt portrayal of the young Cosette. Natalya Wallace was a brilliant
young Eponine and I could seriously see her wowing the crowds as one of the
Matilda's sometime in the future! And then there's Daniel Huttlestone who was
the most perfect Gavroche you could ever wish for...enough said.
And then we come onto my star of the show...Samantha Barks! Her portrayal of
Eponine was unbelievable and I have never been so moved as when she sang On My
Own...I don't think I've ever cried so much. Maybe it's because Eponine's my
favourite character, maybe it's because I feel some sort of connection with her
but for me Sam really was the best thing about the whole film!
Finally, I just have to mention that I brought the Les Mis – Highlights from
the Motion Picture Soundtrack today and while I haven’t listened to it yet I am
a little disappointed as ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’ and ‘A Little Fall of
Rain’ have been missed off. Now I know I only have the highlights version but
to me these songs are two of the best in the whole show and it just seems a
little odd that they are missing!
However, my overall verdict is that Les Mis is a must see film...if you are
in any doubts just go and see it and be wowed. It truly is one of the best
musical films I've ever seen!
So that's my view...what do you guys think? Please let me know by either
commenting below or tweeting me on @GreenGirlsRox...I'd love to hear from you.
Love you lots
Kat
Xx
No comments:
Post a Comment