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Looking to See ‘Les Miserables’ on Christmas Day? Here’s Our Review

Dec. 21, 2012 3:27pm Billy Hallowell

It’s no secret that “Les Misérables” is one of the most anticipated films of the year. Set to open on Christmas day, the movie, based on Victor Hugo’s French historical novel that was published in 1862, is already garnering accolades. Of course, considering the widespread popularity of the stage production, which has been seen by more than 60 million people across the globe, it’s no surprise that the movie adaptation has sparked such intense interest.

Heres a First Look at the Les Miserables Movie | Christmas Day

Photo Credit: IMDB

Topping off a beloved story line, Academy Award winning director Tom Hooper and his team assembled an all-star cast, including Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Amanda Seyfried, to name a few. Among the more unlikely actors starring in the film, though, is Sacha Baron Cohen — known for his edgy and comical movies like “Borat” and “The Dictator.”

The actor plays Thénardier, a sinister, yet goofy, character — and he does so in a manner that adds a softer and more entertaining tone to a film that tackles with some fairly-heavy subject matter.

TheBlaze recently attended a screening of “Les Misérables,” and after viewing the movie in its entirety, there’s much to be said for the artistic lens through which it is presented. Even its most ardent critics would have a difficult time denying that it is, at its core, entertaining and well-acted.

One of the more unique attributes worth noting is the stunning performance delivered by its cast-members. Bearing in mind that the film is a musical, one of the most surprising elements — a factor that keeps viewers attune to the screen throughout — is the brilliant vocal performances.

Many movie-goers may not realize that Crowe, Jackman and Hathaway have stellar pipes, but, indeed they do — and they exhibit them throughout the film. In fact, rather than recording and dubbing songs in post-production, the actors performed them live and in front of the camera — something that, to date, hadn’t been done to this scale.

The end result is a different feel for the music — a more raw, real and natural tone. You can see just a sampling of the vocal performances in the film’s trailer:

As anyone who knows the story well can tell you, “Les Misérables” is a tale that is strewn with human suffering, overcoming the odds and overarching selflessness, as characters are both flawed and relatable. The official movie site perfectly summarizes the plot:

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption—a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

If you’re a fan of musicals and you’re familiar with the plot-line, you’ll likely love ”Les Misérables.” But even if you’re not a lover of sing-songy films, the movie may still manage to hold your attention. The imagery (after all, film allows for effects and other tricks of the trade that stage plays often cannot replicate) is captivating enough to create intrigue, even among those who are not particularly attracted to the story or its associated music.

Widely built-up as the best movie of 2012, ”Les Misérables” is likely not to disappoint.

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Comments (42)

nomsain
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:18pm
OK, I plan to see the movie but sometime after Christmas . I’m sure that it will be good but to surpass my favorite movie musical, “Mama Mia”, It will have to be excellent. I have seen several stage musicals but, by far, the best and most unforgettable, was Des McAnuff’s “Tommy” presented at the La Jolla Playhouse in the early 1990′s. The memory of those two hours will be with me always.

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rdk
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:30pm
I will wait until it is out on Netflix.

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Larry E
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 5:59pm
I’m going to remain less miserable by not wasting my time or money thank you very much. I saw it on stage and thought I’d die of abject and total boredom. No wonder France is such a great country.

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- Kaoscontrol
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 11:23am
  Yeah…well maybe Hollywood will release another ‘Dukes of Hazard’ movie for people like you, Larry E.
  
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midnightvelvet
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 9:03am
I don’t know a thing about the musical. It’s my favorite book though. I don’t recommend the unabridged version unless you’re a complete book geek like me. Be prepared for a hefty dose of socialism. Victor Hugo loved France and socialism in that order, and he had a kind of creepy fascination with heroic death.

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- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:30am
  Hugo wasn’t really the kind of socialist we are familiar with today; and while I’m not about to claim that I share his political views you also have to consider the time period and that France was living under an oppressive monarchy. I would take socialism over living under the rule of Napoleon III any day, thank you very much.
  
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- RockLakeGuy
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:30pm
  I have a DVD of Les Miserables -The 25th Anniversary, Universal Studios. It is magnificent! If you like music, you’l be enthralled with this one. I can’t tell you the number of times I had watched it, en toto or special selections.
  
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- Digerati
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:53pm
  I understand what you’re saying, Kupo, but to me, given the choice between the elephant poop sandwich of Napoleon III and the tiger poop sandwich of socialism, I can see that one might be preferable over the other, but your tongue is still going to taste like poop.
  
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- midnightvelvet
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 8:00pm
  I intend to go see the movie, probably not Christmas day however. I’m sure I’ll like it, but nothing compares to the book.
  
  Hope to see Enjolras get shot. Hate that guy!
  
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RIGHT_WHERE_IT_HURTS
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:54am
I’m miserable enough now, let alone on Christmas Day. No, thanks.

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- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:17am
  No taste.
  
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GardenoftheGods
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 7:03pm
Having seen Les Mis on Broadway, off Broadway, in London & in Paris….I can’t wait to see the movie! I agree with CATB, No one, but NO ONE can play Val Jean like Colm Wilkinson! Russell Crowe ruins Javert for me because he doesn’t have the range that Philip Quast has; but I know Hollyweird has to use their own; and not theatre actors. As for going on Christmas Day, not all of us have children or extended family close by and need something to do after Church…so yes, I’ll be seeing the movie on Christmas Day unless we’re invited somewhere else.

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:18pm
  Colm Wilkinson is a vocal God!
  
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- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:33am
  Actually Colm Wilkinson is rather overrated as a singer, in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy and consider him the definitive Valjean and am really stoked that he is making a return as Monseigneur Myriel, but honestly his voice isn’t really the best.
  
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integrican
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 6:13pm
The butler did it!!!! (c;

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Keatonc33
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 6:11pm
This was by far the best musical I have ever seen. Can’t wait to see the movie! looks like theirs something the blaze and I can agree on!

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- paulusmaximus
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:04am
  Now I have a reason to mot see it!
  
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- Niku1000
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:07pm
  KeatonC23:
  Apparently, it was the only one you’ve ever seen; otherwise, you couldn’t make such a dumb comment.
  
  Report this comment
TWOTL
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 5:14pm
I was fortunate enough to be invited to a screening of this movie prior to its Christmas release. Although I’d never go see a movie on Christmas Day, I would recommend it on any day after. I understand there is quite a bit of anger toward Hollywood these days from conservatives, but that doesn’t mean that everything they produce is garbage. In this case, this is a story of Christian values – forgiveness, charity, love, redemption, sacrifice – told in a beautifully stunnng way. It is emotionally honest, heartfelt and inspiring. If we want to send a message to Hollywood, we should support those works of art that celebrate God and goodness. Les Mis does this in a way you will not soon forget.

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- myrwo6
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 5:37pm
  Anger at Hollywood from conservatives. What exactly do you mean by that? Us conservatives only what to see Christian based theactrical events because everything else is evil, right? Is that how we think? Stop saying dumb things!
  
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- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 6:15pm
  MYRW06….. look down at almost every other comment under this article and then rethink your comment!
  
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SovereignSoul
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 4:41pm
“LOOKING TO SEE ‘LES MISERABLES’ ON CHRISTMAS DAY?”

No.

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- CatB
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 5:19pm
  The only person in it that I would go see . … who hasn’t ticked me off is Hugh Jackman .. but since I have seen it on the stage .. with the original Colm Wilkinson .. as Jean Valjean .. I don’t see how the movie could live up to that. Perhaps when it comes out on video .. but not supporting Hollyweird by paying movie theater prices.
  
  “For Wilkinson, watching the film may be a bittersweet occasion. Had it been made a decade ago, he – instead of Australian hunk Hugh Jackman – would likely have been invited to recreate his stage Valjean. After all, he originated the role in London’s West End in 1985, then moved with it to Broadway in 1987 (where it played for six years).”
  
  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/for-millions-colm-wilkinsons-the-true-jean-valjean/article6599683/
  
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 4:38pm
I am glad to say I will not be supporting Hollywood anytime during the holiday season and most of the time during the year. I’ll stick to what little television I watch (ME-TV: mostly older shows from ’60′s, ’70′s, and ’80′s), History channel, USA, AMC, FX, and, SYFY, plus Netflix.
I have pretty much quit going to the movies. I will wait until it comes out on DVD and if it’s good, I’ll buy it or watch it on Netflix.

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shorelineliz
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 4:28pm
Let’s all let HOllywood help us be miserable on Christmas Day shall we? I think I will put on Charlie Brown Christmas and thumb my nose at that school district down south in Kansas or Arkansas or whatever.

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- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:22am
  Spoken like someone who doesn’t know what the hell they are talking about. While it is true that Les Miserables is very sad at times, it is also heartwarming, uplifting, and hopeful in others; and speaks volumes on man’s ability to love and forgive.
  
  It really is the most beautiful story I’ve ever read and I urge you to try it.
  
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Rational Man
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 4:10pm
I guess I’m living out a culture from a bygone day.
Who the heck goes to the movies on Christmas day?

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mermaid7
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 3:59pm
I sang the songs in my college choir from this musical over 20 years ago, and it still rings in my heart. This story is supurb and the songs are fantastic. If you have seen an off or on-Broadway show and enjoyed it, you know this will be a treat on the big screen. Bring a tissue box and get ready to applaud for such a great story!

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 6:13pm
  Agreed completely! The music is so beautifully haunting. Ive seen the musical a couple times. in kansas and chicago. Simply amazing!
  
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MAULEMALL
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 3:56pm
Thanks but I won’t be sending any money to those d-bags…. If someone gets a pirated copy and wants to spread it for free I would watch though..

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 6:17pm
  how very christian of you!
  
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Red Meat
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 3:55pm
Why do conservatives provide a revenue stream to Hollywood?

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- myrwo6
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 6:21pm
  What’s that? Your riddle for the day? Liberals never do anything close that, right?
  
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Tri-ox
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 3:53pm
I can’t believe that this has been remade – AGAIN, as another movie.

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 6:14pm
  they’re getting away with it because its a musical this time around.
  
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LeadNotFollow
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 3:53pm
The violent, racist, “get even with Whitey” movie “Django Unchained” will NOT be on my list of must see Christmas movies.
Jamie Foxx and Quentin Tarantino should both be held fully responsible for any Black on White crimes their movie causes.

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- LeadNotFollow
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 4:01pm
  Wish The Blaze would warn people about the movie “Django Unchained”.
  
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- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 6:16pm
  Can’t wait to see django unchained!!!!
  
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- RobbieTLHughie
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:11pm
  Spoken as yet another commenter on the blaze who doesn’t have a damned clue about what he’s commenting on.
  
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 3:42pm
Read the book as a freshman. Yep, miserable describes it well. All should be glad to know that Anne Hathaways footwear worn in the movie was thoroughly vegan. Apparently 1862 was a miserable year to be in France too.

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- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:40am
  If you think the book is all misery then you didn’t pay close enough attention.
  
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- RobbieTLHughie
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:12pm
  Abounding ignorance and now promotion of piracy on the free market conservative Capitol of the web… Now that’s bizarre…
  
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