Les Misérables (2012)

In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever.

Director:

Tom Hooper

Writers:

William Nicholson (screenplay), Alain Boublil (screenplay),

Stars:

Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway

Won 3 Oscars. Another 44 wins & 102 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Jackman	...	Jean Valjean
Russell Crowe	...	Javert
Anne Hathaway	...	Fantine
Amanda Seyfried	...	Cosette
Sacha Baron Cohen	...	Thénardier
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Madame Thénardier
Eddie Redmayne	...	Marius
Aaron Tveit	...	Enjolras
Samantha Barks	...	Éponine
Daniel Huttlestone	...	Gavroche
Cavin Cornwall	...	Convict 1
Josef Altin	...	Convict 2
Dave Hawley	...	Convict 3
Adam Jones	...	Convict 4
John Barr	...	Convict 5

Storyline

Jean Valjean, known as Prisoner 24601, is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert. Set in post-revolutionary France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June Rebellion.

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Plot Keywords:

rebellion | barricade | student | france | parole | 

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Taglines:

Fight. Dream. Hope. Love.

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for suggestive and sexual material, violence and thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les Miz

Filming Locations:

Winchester, Hampshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$61,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$27,281,735 (USA) (28 December 2012)

Gross:

$148,775,460 (USA) (29 March 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

158 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hugh Jackman personally lobbied for Anne Hathaway to get the role of Fantine after the two performed together at the Academy Awards.

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Goofs

The bishop is shown wearing liturgical vestments including a chasuble and a stole. At that time in history the stole (which in this scene is over the chasuble) would have been worn crossed over the chest UNDER the chasuble. The mostly incorrect practice of wearing a stole over a chasuble did not start until after Vatican 2 .

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jean Valjean: Look down, look down, don't look them in the eye.
Chain Gang: Look down, look down, you're here until you die.

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Crazy Credits

The film opens without any opening credits. The title of the film is stated just before the closing credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Tosh.0: The Oscars Spoiler Alerts (2013)

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Soundtracks

"The Robbery/Javert's Intervention"
Written by Herbert Kretzmer, Claude-Michel Schönberg, and Alain Boublil
Performed by Sacha Baron Cohen, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe & Helena Bonham Carter

User Reviews

The definitive Les Miserables movie experience!

As someone who has been burned by every single Hollywood adaptation of Les Miserables, let me categorically state that this time it was done right! Everything from the acting to the music to the sets was borderline perfect. The only thing that could possibly be considered a negative was something that was absolutely unavoidable. That is, when you are taking a novel as voluminous as Les Miserables and condensing it into a feature length movie, some things will be cut or rushed. This is no exception. The movie moves at breakneck speed. Anyone who is fond of the Broadway musical will no doubt not be bothered by it, but people new to the story or those who have only read the novel might be put off by it.

As far as the acting and music is concerned, I can find very little to fault. Russel Crowe was the weakest of the lot as I just didn't find his voice to be up to the task of singing some of Javert's songs (Stars immediately springs to mind). Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and Samantha Barks were all especially good. The intense emotions their characters experience throughout the story are perfectly performed.

This naturally leads to a critique of the music. Anyone familiar with the Broadway show will undoubtedly find themselves joyously mouthing along to the familiar lyrics and might be surprised at a couple of brand new songs written specifically for the movie. Just as in the show, the music is brilliant and meshes wonderfully with the story.

One of the biggest treats, however, were the sets and special effects. The beauty and squalor of 19th century Paris was showcased magnificently and it really allowed you to become engrossed in story.

This is a movie that both fans of the novel as well as fans of the musical can both fall in love with, since even though there are some deviations from the novel this is still the closest a film version has ever come to being completely faithful to the book. Additionally, this movie is a perfect chance for those who have never read the book or haven't heard of or had a chance to see the Broadway show. I wholeheartedly recommend this film to everyone. My only warning is to limit your fluid intake, since at 2.5+ hours your chance of encountering an overflowing bladder is a very real danger.