Review: 'Les Misérables' requires patience, but it is worth it

Film: Les Misérables
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen
Rating: ***1/2

An adaptation of the stage musical by the same name by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg who in turn adapted it from Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, Les Misérables’ story is centred on the character of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), an early convict who turns a do-gooder after the Bishop of Digne inspires him with an act of kindness. Valjean, however, has an enemy in inspector Javert who has avowed to send Valjean to prison for stealing a pair of silver candlesticks from the Bishop of Digne. While that story arc adds drama through the movie, with Javert giving Valjean a chase right through till the end — at the heart of this musical is the story of how Valjean makes good his promise to an impoverished factory worker-turned prostitute Fantine (Anne Hathaway) of taking care of her daughter, Cosette, till death.

While that serves as the plotline, we will get right to the point and say that Les Misérables is not a movie for everybody. Yes, the movie has won three major awards at the Golden Globes and has already got its Oscar nods with eight nominations including Best Actor for Hugh Jackman and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Anne Hathaway, but we will, without sugarcoating it, advise you to desist watching the movie if the only reason you want to see it is to check what’s so Oscar-deserving about it.

Because, truth be told, going for Les Misérables with huge expectations might leave you — pun intended— miserable. The movie demands a lot of patience from its viewer, especially because it is a sung-through musical, which in other words, means, there are no spoken dialogues. So, be prepared to watch Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe sing their way through the almost three-hour long movie. If this basic description we’ve given you is already making you cringe, then please avoid it.

Curt disclaimer done away with, we will also tell you that if you are going to watch the movie for the real reason any movie should be watched: the story, the acting and  the direction, then you will walk out without getting disappointed because there’s a lot the musical has going for it.

For one, Les Misérables is beautiful. The grand sets are sure to transport you to France of the 18th century. Among the memorable scenes are those of the revolution that is launched in Paris by a group of students — dramatic. Another equally beautiful scene that Anne Hathaway pulls off so brilliantly is the one where Fantane, after getting thrown out of her job in the factory, ends up in the streets. There’s a bit where she cuts her beautiful hair and gets her teeth extracted for a few francs to send to her daughter Cosette — quite evocative. Hathaway’s acting (for the short time she is on screen) combined with the art direction manage to convey the sheer helplessness of the character quite  effectively.

All these good points aside, the movie’s biggest highlight, without a doubt, is Hugh Jackman. The actor as the good-hearted Jean Valjean delivers a performance that is measured yet emotionally stirring. He shines through in every scene he is in and his baritone voice is pleasing to the ears. As Jean Valjean, Hugh Jackman makes you believe in the innate goodness of every man and we now know why he walked away with the Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Musical this year. And then there’s some rousing music that might have you singing I dream a dream by the end of it.