The long wait is over and it is finally here in the Philippines, I am talking Les Miserables, the epic musical of Broadway and now on film. Based from the 1862 French novel by Victor Hugo and presented in various languages for musical, the film adaptation was directed by Tom Hooper and stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Aaron Tviet, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Les Miserables runs 158 minutes or more than 2 hr and 20 mins in cinema which follows the journey of Jean Valjean (Jackman), an ex-convict who broke his parole and embraces a new identity. But Javert (Crowe) swears that he will bring the ex-convict to justice and haunts him wherever he goes. Valjean became the guardian to Cosette (Seyfried) after the death of her mother Fantine (Hathaway) who is one of Valjean’s workers and later was forced to become a prostitute in order to sustain for her daughter. And later the film moves on to the French revolution hoping freedom, dream and new life.
The musical film opens the mind of every movie goers about how musical plays can be that exciting, grandeur and beautiful. Every character has a story to say it can be about their dream, pain, struggle and love. Each actors played the role perfectly if not vocally at least filled with emotions especially Hathaway who presented the role of Fantine in a more emotional persona which we can actually feel the pain and love in her character for her daughter and herself. Same thing with Jackman and Barks.
As for the visual effects, the film gives justice in creating the scenes from the ship, to the community where the students live and how the directed let the movie goers peak on the lives of every character with the brilliant tight shots. Also the musical will give everyone the chance to say that I know that song and seriously it came from here. As of now the film was awarded with Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Hugh Jackman for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and Anne Hathaway for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture in the Golden Globes. And everyone including me is looking forward on how it will go for Les Miserables in the Academy Awards (Oscars).
Les Miserables will surely give every movie goers to feel the thirst for freedom, pain, love and having that dream just like Valjean, Fantine, Eponine, and Cosette. It is now showing in all cinemas nationwide under United International Pictures through Solar Entertainment Corporation.
