Les Mis

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 20 Jan 2013, 23:25

Has anybody been to see this yet? We saw the stage version many moons ago and really enjoyed it, and the music is just wonderful.

Does the film do it justice?

Unread post by **Kendhni** » 21 Jan 2013, 06:33

Hi OBF, it is definitely not for me (I am not a fan of westend stuff) but the SIL, who is very much into the Westend, thought the movie was brilliant (despite it leaving out a couple of tracks and butchering some others). So I would guess that if you like Westend musicals then it should be a 'must-do'

Unread post by **JenniC** » 21 Jan 2013, 07:08

Saw it on first release night and have seen show 3 times. Personally I though it was brilliant and thought all songs were sung amazingly well, differently Yes, but fantastic all the same.

WE (DIL and me) cried, so did half the cinema. All main actors were excellent and Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter where so funny as the Thenardiers. Both children, Cossette and Gravroche, gave lovely performances, but for me, the show stealer, was Samantha Bark's rendition of Eponinne's On My Own - tear jerking. Samantha is a relative unknown, coming 3rd in the TV reality show I'd do Anything (the search for someone to play Nancy in Oliver), what a voice. The only difference for me is that it did not quite have the atmosphere that you get at a live show.

A great night out

Unread post by **kaymar** » 21 Jan 2013, 09:58

You may not know (and quite possibly don't want to

) that Sam Barks comes from the small hamlet of Lonan on the Isle of Man which, remarkably is also the birthplace of Mark Cavendish, Sports Personality of the Year and one of the world's leading cycle racers. Two international celebrities from a village of about 100 people - quite remarkable. Something in the water?

Unread post by **Debbie W** » 21 Jan 2013, 12:19

I seem to be in the minority so far but I much prefer the stage version to the film. I love Les Mis but the film just didn't grab me whilst I was regularly in tears when watching it on stage.

The film does have some great performances though in Sam Barks and Hugh Jackman. Russell Crowe was so far out of his depth IMO it was embarrassing.

What the film has done though is to make me want to go and watch it on stage again

Unread post by **kaymar** » 21 Jan 2013, 12:25

We're going to see it on Thursday.

Russell Crowe has certainly had some mixed reviews, mainly critical. Is he really so poor and if so, why would they cast someone in a musical who can't really sing?

Unread post by **Wina G** » 21 Jan 2013, 12:29

We're thinking about going to see it, I've seen the stage version in London (went with SIL & MIL) but R has never seemed too keen ... watch this space

Unread post by **Debbie W** » 21 Jan 2013, 12:31

To be honest Kaymar in the speaking parts he's OK but a carbon copy of the character he played in Master and Commander. IMO he doesn't display the nuances that the character demands, particularly in the latter stages of the film.

He definitely isn't a singer but to be fair he does give it a go

Unread post by **paultheeagle** » 21 Jan 2013, 17:10

I thought the film was brilliant, some fantastic performances....Even Russell Crowe who I thought was a brilliant Javert.....He struggled, a little, in the singing department but more than made up for that with his acting....Javert is a very complex, dark, sinister character and Crowe played him superbly....Anne Seifried who plays Cosette sings the best version of 'I Dreamed A Dream' I have ever heard.....Yep, even better than Susan Boyle.

Hugh Jackman was a sensational Jean Valjean, which was a surprise and the other outstanding performance was Eddie Redmayne who played Marius Pontmercy. The opening scenes where the 'Chain Gang' sing 'Look Down' are breathtaking. The scene is set in a ship builders yard and have to be sen to be believed.

I love the music and will enjoy it any time but I do agree, like anything else, seeing something live is always preferable to watching it on screen.

If you are a fan of the show or the music or both then the film is a must....but if you don't know the show or the music then I think you might struggle as the film is long, 2 hours 30 minutes as is the show.

I'm going to see it again on Saturday...Love it.

Unread post by **Onelife** » 21 Jan 2013, 23:18

Hi OBF

I’m not sure if this will help but the film brought tears to my eye which I may add isn’t something that happens very often ....other than when I watch the film “Babe”

Anyone got a tissue?

To put it into a few words I would say ....for those who haven’t seen the stage musical then you’ll absolutely love this film...if you have seen the stage musical you’ll still love it but you may feel the film didn’t do the stage musical justice...I can’t quite put my finger on the reasons why but perhaps it had something to do with a couple of below par singing performances...

Let us know what you think.

Regards

Keith

Unread post by **Gill W** » 23 Jan 2013, 12:24

Les Mis is my favourite stage musical, and I was blown away by the film.

Hugh Jackman and Eddie Redmayme were the standout performances for me. Javert was one of the most interesting characters from the stage musical, and I tolerated Crowe, but I would have prefered the part played by someone else. Loved Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter.

I read that the opening seqence, when they were in the chain gang was filmed at Portsmouth Dockyard. Many other scenes were filmed locally at Chatham Dockyard, and I also recognised the Greenwich location.

Brilliant film, I'm still buzzing about it, even though I saw it a week ago.

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 23 Jan 2013, 14:12

We're going to see it this afternoon.....................

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 23 Jan 2013, 19:15

Just got back. It's not a short film is it, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. I agree about Russell Crowe's voice. It's not as strong as you would expect it to be for his character but the acting throughout the film is brilliant. Don't go if you're not into musicals as this is wall to wall music although the music is phenomenal and it's not the soppy 'Sound of Music' genre.
I rather wish I had seen the film first as there was much to be gained from seeing and hearing the words close up. When you're miles away from the action in a theatre you do miss quite a lot.

Hugh Jackman made a wonderful Jean Valjean. Never heard of him before. By the way did anybody notice - in the scene shortly before he pops off he appeared to have 6 fingers on his left hand, although the one between his index finger and middle finger had been amputated? Something to look out for!!

There were some outstanding performances, some lovely touches of humour although the desperate struggle for survival seems to pervade throughout the film. As they say up here, "Nowt's gaan reet!!" And the scenery, props and sets were fabulous, especially the opening scene with the warship.

Onelife, don't worry - there were quite a few man tears flowing, but I was a brave soldier. There was quite a bit of sniffing and snivelling going on, I can tell you.

Verdict: Well worth seeing but you might struggle if you're not keen on musicals.

Next films I fancy are Quartet and Zero Dark Thirty.

Unread post by **Dennis The Menace** » 23 Jan 2013, 19:17

Hoping to see it soon, the musical is a favourite especially for Mandy.

Unread post by **frintonite** » 24 Jan 2013, 18:51

Have tickets booked for tomorrow (Friday) but Sue has taken to her bed today with some bug (which is unheard of for her), so hoping she is a bit better tomorrow. Have seen the stage version, and like many others, its one of our fav.

Ray & Sue

Unread post by **Romig1** » 24 Jan 2013, 21:44

As Wina said, I've never seen the show either.

We're making plans to go and see it on Tuesday night (half price I understand)

Unread post by **Jaczs+** » 24 Jan 2013, 21:49

I will be waiting until it comes out on DVD but looking forward to seeing it.

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 24 Jan 2013, 21:58

Take plenty of tissues Romig...............

................. on Saturday and on Tuesday!!!

Unread post by **Romig1** » 24 Jan 2013, 22:04

oldbluefox wrote:
Take plenty of tissues Romig...............

................. on Saturday and on Tuesday!!!

Foxy, that COULD have been funny...were it not likely to be true!

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 24 Jan 2013, 22:23

Don't be downhearted Romig. Perhaps Wina will pay on Tuesday.

Unread post by **Romig1** » 24 Jan 2013, 22:24

oldbluefox wrote:
Don't be downhearted Romig. Perhaps Wina will pay on Tuesday.

I'm hoping so...I'm going to book the deluxe seats if so.

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 24 Jan 2013, 22:29

Will you be taking your picnic chairs in case she doesn't?

Unread post by **Romig1** » 24 Jan 2013, 22:31

oldbluefox wrote:
Will you be taking your picnic chairs in case she doesn't?

We'll be sneaking under the barrier if I'm expected to pay.

Unread post by **kaymar** » 25 Jan 2013, 09:55

Saw it last night.

It was a good film but not exceptional and although I can, on occasions, be a bit emotional, I did not need any tissues. Hugh Jackman was good, Russell Crowe just about believable. Cosette (Anne Siefried?) was very good but I agree with Jenni in that for me, the standout performance came from Samantha Barks in her first film. As we know, there are a handful of excellent songs but most of the sung dialogue is rather dreary, to my ear a slightly more musical version of rap

OBF, I think you will enjoy Quartet. Billy Connolly pretty much plays himself and the rest of the cast is strong, even if the plot is fairly predictable. Maggie Smith can not go wrong and if you have not seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel then you must. It is better than Quartet and, in its own way, probably better than Les Miserables (in my opinion).

Unread post by **Wina G** » 25 Jan 2013, 10:57

Romig1 wrote:
oldbluefox wrote:
Don't be downhearted Romig. Perhaps Wina will pay on Tuesday.
I'm hoping so...I'm going to book the deluxe seats if so.

Booked for Tuesday, cost an extra £1.60pp for deluxe seats (includes choosing where to sit) but it's still cheaper than normal prices

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