Les Misérables is the motion-picture adaptation of the beloved
global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42
countries and in 21 languages around the globe and still breaking
box-office records everywhere in its 27th year. Helmed by The
King’s Speech’s Academy Award-winning director, Tom Hooper, the
Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman,
O winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne.
Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables
tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love,
passion, sacrifice and redemption--a timeless testament to the
survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean
Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless man Javert
(Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for
factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette,
their lives change forever.
Bonus Features:
* The Original Masterwork: Victor Hugo's Les Misérables
* Les Misérables: A Revolutionary Approach (Inculdes 'The Stars
of Les Misérables', 'The West End Connection', 'Les Misérables on
Location', 'Creating the Perfect Paris', 'Battle at the
Barricade', 'Les Misérables Singing Live)
* Feature Commentary with Director Tom Hooper
Digital Copy Information
* Digital Copy expires May 13, 2014
* UltraViolet Copy expires May 13, 2014
From .co.uk
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Les Misérables is a deeply powerful film that's rich with raw
feeling, the grittiness of life in 19th-century France, and the
conflict between right, wrong, and the concept of redemption.
Les Misérables takes viewers on an emotionally exhausting journey
as it follows ex-convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) after his
release from prison. Valjean breaks parole, but he is granted a
second chance by a kind bishop. He then moves from place to place
throughout France, trying to live an honest life while ruthless
man Javert (Russell Crowe) hunts him relentlessly. Valjean
meets the broken-spirited Fantine (Anne Hathaway), promises to
care for her daughter Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) as Fantine is
about to die, and finds his own life completely changed as a
result of that promise.
Like the stage play, the film is dark, gritty, and passionate,
but it enhances the sense of place in early- to mid-1800s France
as a staged version simply cannot. The intricately woven plot is
somewhat easier to understand here, thanks to an abundance of
visual cues and the camera's unique ability to focus in so
closely on the actors' faces. In fact, the intimacy of the
extreme close-ups used throughout is at once uncomfortable and
hugely effective.
The vocal performances are generally quite good, especially
considering the decision to record them live versus the customary
overdubbing. Sure, some of the actors' voices seem pushed and
strained at times, but that fact often only adds to the emotional
intensity of the moment. Hathaway's performance is stellar, both
for her vocal prowess and for the depth of feeling conveyed and
maintained in her facial expressions throughout even the
lengthiest and closest of close-ups. While Crowe seems an odd
choice for Javert and is definitely outsung by the other members
of the cast, he holds his own when it really counts with solos
that are on-pitch and arguably even more powerful for their
imperfections.
Discerning listeners will not choose the film's Highlights from
the Motion Picture Soundtrack over the full-length London or
Broadway cast s, but sometimes an outstanding
performance isn't all about musical perfection--the overall Les
Misérables film experience is definitely one of those cases. New
for the film is the song "Suddenly," written by the musical's
original composer and lyricist Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel
Schönberg.
Trivia buffs will note that the bishop is played by Colm
Wilkinson, who originally played Valjean in the London and
Broadway stage productions, and Whore #1 is played by the
original London and Broadway Eponine, Frances Ruffelle. --Tami
Horiuchi