Les Misérables is perhaps my most favorite film I have ever seen (probably a spoiler to my applaud or veto section). The summary is very, very, long, so if you like to skip to the review, that is alright.~SPOILERS ALERT! (this is a summary of the whole movie!)~
Les Misérable is a musical based on French author, Victor Hugo's, historical novel. All dialogue in this film is sung, except occasional speech. Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe oppose each other in this epic story of forgiveness, love, and betrayal.
In 1815, prison guard Javert (Crowe) releases convict Jean Valjean (Jackman) on parole after a nineteen year sentence for stealing bread and attempting to escape. Valjean faces adversity after returning to society, as his paroled status excludes him from every town. The Bishop of Digne (Colm Wilkinson) is the only one who offers Valjean food and shelter, however, Valjean attempts to steal his silverware and flee into the night. Authorities catch him as he flees and brings him back to the Bishop. Surprisingly, the Bishop does not punish Valjean, as he explains to the authorities that the silverware was given to him as a gift and gives Valjean even more. The Bishop's action touch Valjean, leading him to break his parole and start a new, honest life.
In 1823, eight years later, Valjean becomes a factory owner and mayor of the town Montreuil-sur-Mer. One day in his factory, Fantine (Anne Hathaway) is dismissed when one foreman discovers that she is sending money to her daughter, Cosette (Isabelle Allen). To continue to support Cosette, Fantine desperately sells her teeth and hair, and becomes a prostitute. Continue to struggle for money, she is arrested by Javert while attacking a hostile customer. Valjean reliefs Fantine and brings her to a hospital.
 |
| The Japanese Les Misérables promotional poster |
Nine years later, in 1832, many young, revolutionary students (Friends of the ABC) rise in revolt against the French monarchy when General Jean Maximilien Lamarque, the only official who cares for the lower class, nears his death. One leader of the Friends of the ABC, Marius (Eddie Redmayne), catches a glimpse of Cosette, who grows into a beautiful young woman and falls in love with her. At home, Cosette wishes to learn more about her mother and Valjean's past, but he refuses. Cosette runs out into the garden, where Marius stands at the gate seeking her. Marius professes his love to Cosette.
Éponine, Marius' friend and daughter of the Thénardiers, sadly realizes her secret lover, Marius, loves Cosette more than he will ever love herself. She does however, join Marius in the revolution.
The Thénardiers attempt to catch Valjean for ransoms to Javert, however, Éponine screams to warn them. Valjean realizes that he must flee, unknowledgeable that Marius loves Cosette. Marius sends a farewell letter to Cosette as she and her father flee.
The next day, the Friends of the ABC rise in revolt, clearing a street and building a barricade. Javert attempts to penetrate their forces by posing a rebel, however, is exposed by Gavroche (Daniel Huttlestone),a young boy in the revolution. During one gun battle, Éponine saves Marius by sacrificing her own life. As Valjean receives the love letter sent by Marius, he returns to aid in the revolution. Gavroche recognizes him, and Valjean is allowed to execute Javert. Valjean instead chooses to spare his life and fakes a pistol shot at the wall to convince the students that he had killed Javert.
After a long battle, everyone in the Friends of ABC is killed except Marius, who survives because Valjean drags his unconscious body into the sewers. The Thénardiers, scavenging the sewers, steals Marius' ring, assuming that he was dead. After Valjean carries Marius out of the sewer, he confronts Javert waiting at the exit. Vajean begs Javert to spare him one hour to save Marius, but Javert refuses at first. Valjean leaves to save Marius anyway, while Javert is left with an empty heart indecisive of what to do. Javert, caught up in what is civilly right and what is morally right, jumps to his death of a bridge into the Seine.
Later we see that Marius is healthy and is comforted by Cosette, but still mourning the loss of his friends. Valjean reveals his true identity to Marius, telling Marius that he must leave because his presence will endanger Cosette. Marius accepts and promises that he will not tell Valjean's truth to Cosette. The Thénardiers crash Marius and Cosette's wedding. Marius realizes that the Thénardiers stole his ring, and demands them to tell him the location of Valjean. He and Cosette set off to look for Valjean after knowing the location told by the Thénardiers. Marius and Cosette catch Valjean sitting in a nearby convent, where he is dying and sees Fantine's spirit arriving to taking him to heaven. As Cosette and Marius say their final farewells, Valjean hands Cosette his confessions of the past that he has hid from her for all her life. Valjean then joins the spirits of those who have all died in a new, bright heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~End Spoilers~~~~~~~~~~~
Applaud or Veto?
This is a definite applaud from me! It was an emotional movie that does not only tell a story, but contains so much symbolism, that I can write a whole essay about. Makeup and costume contribute to this movie's success, as it very much enhances the mood and little details that make this movie great. When I first watched it, it felt very long and I was unaware that the movie was all in musical, but it turned out that I did not hate it. In fact, Les Misérables would not be the same without it! This is definitely a movie pouring with emotion and action that is worth watching. There are some moments that seem to make you scratch your head, but is a wonderful movie no doubt. If you have 2 hours and 48 minutes to spare, Les Misérables is definitely something you can squeeze in at that time slot.
No comments:
Post a Comment