March 1997, just before the school ended which signaled the start of summer, it was a prerequisite to pass our music subject (I don't know this is still a subject nowadays) in our freshman year in high school by acing the finals. The theme: Broadway. It just so happened that I belonged to a group of intellectual young men and we decided to adapt excerpts from one of the greatest Broadway hits of all time. I do not remember much about the other songs, but only” Do you hear the People Sing “was seemed to be rooted in my mind. Conforming to the course’s requirement, I memorized, we rehearsed and we sang… I should say "beautifully". This was how I first known Les Miserables.
Fifteen years later, news spread all over that there would be a big-screen adaptation with a star-studded cast of the much awaited show. Although this wasn't something new but one thing’s for sure: the tumult has begun.
Do you remember that feeling when you were a child that you wanted a gift so much and so long and it’s only now you finally get to open it? This was exactly how I felt at the time I got a confirmation that tickets have been reserved for us to watch the musical and was thrilled I’m watching it with someone who shares the same passion and enthusiasm as mine – most importantly, was available.
In the likes of Evita, Moulin Rouge, Chicago and Phantom of the Opera, I entered the dark hall of the cinema and comfortably took my seat. Armed with nothing but an idiosyncratic mémoire and an insubstantial research, I was expecting the unexpected. I heard songs from Les Mis before and yes, these are legendary songs often played and sung by various renowned Opera artists and even amateurs in localized talent shows worldwide. If fact, this is one of the reasons why I think the movie is most sought after in the first place: everyone wants to get a taste of the film’s version of the faintly familiar sound of “I dreamed a dream” and “On my own”, two of the musical’s most famous hits popularized by our very own pride Lea Salonga.
Russell Crowe maintained his awesomeness as the persistent police inspector Javert dedicating his life to imprisoning the lead actor. His expressions were very much reminiscent of his part as Maximus in “Gladiator” which earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2000. Just like Maximus, Javert’s frail emotions were convincingly hidden by his sturdy, lethargic exterior adding more effect and drama to the role he portrays.
Dark Knight Rises” in that tight, black-leather slithering suit. One thing I noticed about her: every time she stars on a new character she lives by, she just keeps getting better. Her presence on the film, even just her presence is enough to leave you in awe. Her music experience in “Ella Enchanted” and “Rio” supports she’s one of the few celebrated Hollywood actresses who can sing. Spending years of exposing versatile roles from the candid “Princess Diaries” to a more matured “Brokeback Mountain” must have added to the success of her internalizing the character of Fantine – an unfortunate grisette who has to do self-sacrifices for her daughter.
Her acting prowess has been forged into its fullest form that just by looking at her and listening to her voice in her depiction of every lyric and melody as well as the lines she delivered, you can feel an eerie sense of radiance and powerful emotion exuding within her. When interviewed, she admitted, “I dreamed a dream” was the hardest part in the making of the movie for her. 
In typical movies, the chart of a story line comes from a low point then it slowly ascends for quite some time until it’ll gain pace and momentum to reach climax and settle its way down until conclusion. Here in Les Mis, it followed the usual trend ONLY it didn't subside when it reached its peak but brushed it through with a powerful blast ‘til the end. Euphoria was still high when the lights were put on, leaving the audience’s jaw dropped (including us) and glued to their feet while credits were flashed on the screen - much to the comments and annotations of eager fans when we exited our way out.
I have to commend the crowd for exhibiting such decent movie behavior throughout the show with minor singing at my back when it was Anne Hathaway's turn for “I dreamed a dream” and a few sobbing of a lady sitting next to me which I should say was understandable. Surprisingly, I got carried away in singing the first few lines when I heard the upbeat intro of the song “Do you hear the People Sing”. It’s like a flashback of those good’ol days only this time; all are making sense to me. Reflex had me do what I have to do; good thing my companion ordered me to shut up instantly which I did at once. =P
With this Les Mis movie, Academy award director Tom Hooper (King’s Speech, 2010) immortalized everything from the sounds, costume, imposing locations to production impeccably demonstrated. I’m sure everyone is excited to see the nomination results in the 85th Academy Awards on Feb 24th (PST).
As my fastidious movie critic friend assessed, “Bravo!”, Les Miserables is a story about the French Revolution: Fight, Dream, Hope and Love.
It’s more than a legend. It’s history.
As my fastidious movie critic friend assessed, “Bravo!”, Les Miserables is a story about the French Revolution: Fight, Dream, Hope and Love.
It’s more than a legend. It’s history.
“Singing live has such a profound effect in the power and the realism of the story. This is not being done with this kind of consistency in a musical before.” - Tom Hooper
, film director