Les Miserables

Jokes for days

This movie made me go crazy, and I didn't even watch it! Yes they are good singers, but so annoying!! I couldn't stand it! The story line was stupid!? They focused on talking straight to the camera throughout the movie and had to sing ever single line. These actors made a big mistake wasting their talents on this movie. It straight up sucked

Wonderfully Weepy

Having heard several critics' reviews pan this film for its cinematography--specially, its close-up shots--I was prepared to simply enjoy this film for what it was: an adaptation of one of my favorite stage musicals. I was pleasantly surprised. Jackman's instantly believable plight to find a life beyond the prison's walls, suddenly took this musical to depths that no stage production could ever manage to do. His journey through the mountains to the welcoming at the priest's door, and his new life that came with it, brought a realism to the story and made Valjean's journey a modern-day Everyman journey. And so, my weeping that began in the first thirty minutes of the film proceeded until Valjean returned to the priest's door, to Home.

Loved it

I loved it. You have to be a certain type to like this kind of piece, though. When I went to see it, the theatre had mixed up the signs with "Parental Guidance," but they made it clear to go by the number, not the title. Well, one couple didn't get the memo, and the lady stood up and said, "THIS IS THE WRONG MOVIE. C'MON, LET'S GO. THIS IS CRAP." Umm, seriously? It took you 30 minutes to realize that Billy Crystal and Bette Midler had been replaced with Anne Hathaway as a singing prostitute? I loved it, though. Cried like a baby and hope to get it on dvd!

Where was the WARNING ?

Next time a movie has a SINGING dialogue.....WARN ME....it was TORTURE from start to finish ....

Not good at all

I was shocked at the some of the bad singing. Even some high schools will put on better performers. I've seen at least 5 productions in various theatres and this was the worst, BY FAR. For a musical you need voices first and foremost and with very few exceptions this cast just does not have it. You want to see a good movie, see Les Miserables with Jean Gabin, but if it's the musical you better get some decent singers out there.

Brilliant!

Do yourself a favor and get a ticket, and live the experience. Best movie I've seen all year.

A wonderful movie

this is a movie you must see. the sets are spectacular, the story is compelling, the movie flows wonderfully from scene to scene. The voices of the lead characters are not spectacular but good enough and the acting is excellent. Had me in its grip till the very end which I could not figure out.

Where's the Music in Musical?

Best tweet I've seen, from a Broadway performer: "inspired by Hollywood! Actors singing live, on stage 8 times a week! No second takes" You'd think film producers of musicals would understand that MUSIC is pretty integral to the process. Instead we get Hollywood stars, close-ups, drama drama drama, set design, cinematography, and everything except music! I understand the wont to put big names in the cast, but shouldn't the singing be more important than the emoting? "Chicago" did it. "Hairspray" did it. "Mama Mia" didn't, and now "les Mis" hasn't. Sad. I waited 30 years for it, and it's not first rate. Glad I saw it once, but I won't again.

Pure Enjoyment

I did not attend this movie expecting the same experience that I enjoyed when viewing the stage production (which I have had the good fortune to see twice in New York and three times in London). Amazingly, I did. The same emotional roller coaster I've ridden every time I've seen the show, I rode when watching the movie. Eddie Redmayne was superb as Marius and I was pleasantly surprised by Russell Crowe's performance as Javer. No, he's not a great baritone (watch Norm Lewis in the 25th Anniversary production to hear a vocally outstanding Javer), but he is a great actor and brought that to the fore in his portrayal. Well worth the money spent on a ticket and, no doubt, spent on the Blu-ray when released.

Beautiful

I've been going to movies for a long time and in the course of watching Les I said to myself this is the mose beautiful movie I have ever seen

They Pulled It Off

Having seen the play 3 times, most recently in November, I questioned whether the film could compare. The play was always cast with the players vocal talents primary. Little did I suspect Hugh Jackman could sing so wonderfully. Hathaway did well enough for the short time her character has. Unfortunately Russell Crowe lacks the vocal range and power for the magnificent solos his important character has. But the rest of the cast does a marvelous job. The production is marvelous and I was as moved by the film as I ever have been by the stage play. If you are a Les Miz fan, don't miss this film. If you are only curious, prepare to become a fan.

Les Mis is great. should be best picture.

I thought this movie was fabulous. There is no justice in this world if Jackman and Hathaway don't get Oscars. The audience was in tears and applauding wildly at the end. Did the WP reviewer actually attend the movie? It didn't sound like it. My whole family has been humming the tunes for two days (and we are trying not to).

Who thought Russell Crowe could sing?

...because he can't. And you just can't have a musical in which one of the key characters can't sing.

Wow!

The audience I was in with my wife, seemed to really like the film...and we were right there with them. As the screen went dark at the end of the last note of the last song, the theater was just silent for a long moment as the audience savored that last scene...then there was applause. Someone behind us just said "wow!". As I left the theater, I felt like I had not just seen the movie, but experienced it. For me, the main themes are the biggest hook; redemption, forgiveness, and making hard moral choices in the face of tremendous pressure from the world to bend. It has been a long time since I felt so good about seeing a movie...well maybe not that long...Lincoln was up there as well.

Ann Hornaday's Les Miserables

Saw the movie the minute it opened here. Was moved all over again by your best of all reviews. Thanks for your articulate comments. Made me relive the experience, including the stirring scenes and tears. Thanks, too for your mention of Russell Crowe's soul-searching singing. Diana Atlanta

Uneven Hooper

Much like his over-rated and over-awarded "The King's Speech," Hooper has once again merely expanded a stage presentation to the outside world rather than make a movie. As for Cohen and Carter as the too-hammy-and-cheesy Masters of the House, they were about as welcome in this film as the Salahis; and their schtick at the wedding scene was un-subtlely reminiscent of the Salahis' real-life DC appearances.

GREAT MUSIC !

even if you didn't like the acting (which is very good) this is both a funny and Entertaining movie. But there are two songs (Hathaway's included) that Make this movie not only worth seeing, but worth buying. I'm a Fan.. though not of many musicals.Go see this one.. well worth it !

Not Good Enough

I have not seen the play but it would be nice to see this with people who can sing.

I wanted it to be epic and it wasn't

The best part of this movie was the last scene as Jean Valjean's life concludes. It was a truly moving performance (although I missed not having Eponine's harmony from the musical) and I loved the greeting from Colm Wilkinson as Jackman went into the light. But I wanted to feel about this movie the way I feel about Robert Preston and Shirley Jones in The Music Man or Gordon McRae and Shirley Jones in Oklahoma! This was not an epic movie. The musical interpretation left me wanting more - or what was originally written. It's a movie that can be edited to produce something spectacular, not a live performance. Why not make it a spectacular performance? I will own a copy of this when it comes out but I recommend waiting for the DVD.

A marvelous depiction

This is a wonderful depiction. Filled with emotions from laughter to profound heartache. I was struck by the camera work - excellent tight shots of the singers as they sang with great emotion. The actors who, for the most part, are not music people do a fantastic job out of their element in singing & even better in their acting roles. Ann Hornaday’s Post critique is a bit harsh and perhaps a bit cheeky as are the 1-star critiques here. I’m sure she & they were looking for something the film didn’t bring them. Judge for yourself. If you’re one of those who gets sucked into the action, has no problem weeping, applauds at the end of films, & hangs around at the end to read all the credits, you’re in for a treat & you’ll love this film.

Fabulous

Look, if you don't like grand, epic stories, don't see this movie. Yes it's long but we know that going in. I thought the movie was fantastic. Every minute was entertaining, the story was compelling and easy to follow. It was plausible, brilliantly moving and thought-provoking, and the acting was top notch. Ann Hathaway's scene singing I Dream a Dream was far and away the single most impressive movie performance I have ever seen in 40+ years of moviegoing.

Time that cannot be recovered

There is an adage from my youth: 'just because you can, does not mean you should'. The adage applies to the making of this movie. Overblown, self important, miscast. Perhaps those who love the Broadway version will like this movie...

Amazing!!

I loved this movie from start to finish. In my opinion Anne Hathaway's performance of I dreamed a dream will go down as one of the greatest performances in cinema. The cinematographers choices of fast lenses with shallow depth of field keeps us close and personal drawing us into their eyes as the rest of the frame goes out of focus. Some of you criticize some of the voices but the way I see it. It's not a singing competition. It's about connecting with the words and moment and what that scene is about and delivering it accordingly. Were there a few flaws? Yes, but nothing worth mentioning. Taking a book and adapting it to a musical and then a film is tough, and they pulled it off well.

Are We Seeing the Same Movie???

For a real professional review, I suggest you read Ken Turan in the LA Times. Those who think Anne Hathaway was bad have no idea about real acting. I have never been a particular fan of hers, but she nailed that song like no one has before. It's not all about the voice. I'd really give it 3.5 stars, but that wasn't an option, so I rounded up.

Disappointing Train Wreck

What happens when you put two lead actors in a musical who can not sing? You get this overblown mess of a movie. Hugh Jackman and Russell Crow were totally lacking in vocal chops to handle thier roles. This should be a story with soaring songs and a simplicity that allows you to care deeply about the charactors. The only reason to see Le Miz is to hear great singers handle a truly amazing collection of songs. The director decided to go over the top with all staging focusing on the visual over the substance. It was simply a vehical to show case movie stars and it failed terrribly at even that. Important parts of songs were cut and needless parts added. In typical hollywood melodrama--we unneccessarly see a young boy shot to death

Cried my eyes out and loved every minute

Maybe I am not a sophisticate when it comes to films, but I thoroughly enjoyed Les Mis. Cried my eyes out and loved every minute of it. Yes, the voices of the main characters were not as good as the Broadway version, but I thought the casting and acting were very good (with the exception of Anne H. and Amanda S.) Be sure to see it in a modern theater with good sound.

Standing Ovation

My local theater is totally sold out on Christmas day. At the end of the showing, our audience was on its feet applauding a screen because that was the only way to say thank you for a beautiful performance. It could have been longer to allow for more scenic shots but a four hour movie without an intermission would be a bit much. As it is, go and watch genius at work.

Terrific movie!

I thought it was great. It lived up to my expectations. Having read the review in the Post, I am more convinced than ever that movie reviewers do not actually like movies. Anne Hathaway is jaw-dropping. Samantha Barks as Eponine is a huge talent. Russell Crowe is a little flat at times, but the cast overall is marvelous. Having seen a stage production some years ago at The Kennedy Center, which I loved, I thought the movie was in many ways more human, more spontaneous, more "real". It is pretty gut-wrenching, but a marvel to watch.

Riveting/Emotional

Fell in love with every character, the music and singing was wonderful. Amazing show. My husband even enjoyed it and he's not a musical/opera fan...and a very hard sell. We were smitten with Hugh and Anne..wonderful performances. Although not a great singer...Russell Crow was even good. Too many good things to list. It was a Merry Christmas gift to our daughter...she loved it.

Overblown mess

Kind of what you'd expect if you gave a few million dollars to some neighborhood kids and told them to make a movie. Good actors badly directed. Simplistic sentimental songs badly sung. Obviously computer-generated scenes supposed to inspire awe. No insights, no genuine emotion, nothing to think about, except to wonder why all the fuss?

I enjoyed it

I never saw the musical, and the other reviewers all seem to have seen it, multiple times. The main actors and actresses are not professional singers (except Amanda Seyfried, perhaps) and it shows. But their voices aren't awful, and they can actually be pretty good at times. I thought Anne Hathaway's performance was honest and wrenching. She brought tears to my eyes with the "I Dreamed a Dream" piece - I don't care what anybody says. And the audience I was in, packed to the hilt, clapped several times during the movie, and particularly long at the end. Is it the greatest movie I ever saw? No. But it may be one of the best musicals. If you have not seen the stage version, go!

So emotional yet wonderful

It kept our audience quiet and glued. Yes it was very heavy materiel done well. Negative reviews don't get in my way of well done movies. In fact I get evermore curious about bad reviewed movies and that's a good thing. Lots of good movies out and about with negative reviews from the experts. The audience applauded at the end. Loved the graphics,the plot and cast. In the end their was love which is good for the soul.

Thrilling

No, the voices of the three name stars don't come near those of their on-stage counterparts, but the acting, the settings, and the visual drama are fabulous. The film doesn't have to coexist in the same universe as the musical, which I've seen several times. And both have to meet the challenges posed by the original novel -- long and with an overbaked plot and too many coincidences. Give the movie a chance -- got a big round of applause after today's (Xmas afternoon) show. I've been wary of Ann Hornaday's reviews ever since she panned Brokeback Mountain (speaking of Anne Hathaway). Sometimes she nails it, but sometimes she's totally off. I miss Stephen Hunter and especially Desson Thomson -- both are wiser critics and better writers.

Miserable AND Awful

Ann Hornaday has written, along with the rest of the "critics," an awful review. According to Hornaday, Hathaway performs a "showstopping" number, yet she sounds "brassy and labored." It is beyond me why H'wood and the critics are trying to shove this film and Hathaway down our throats. We get it, it's Hathaway's "turn" to win an Oscar despite the fact that she ruins this film as she ruined TDKR. This film was miscast from the beginning, in an effort to bring in people who don't like musicals. Clue: this MUSICAL has made millions and had a built in audience. Casting it w/people who could, you know, sing, would have made sense. Avoid this atrocious film at all costs. I came home and put on the anniversary edition. Now that, is talent.

sorry

Cannot beat the stage.....and singing interpretation atrocious.

A Miserable Failure

Do not listen to the hype surounding this movie. Hollywood has managed to screw up yet another fantastic Broadway musical. Jackman is usually fantastic, but falls sadly flat throughout the entire fi;m. Russell Crowe is horribly cast Worst of all was Anne Hathaway who completely ruins every scene she's in. Her singing was so weak and shrill that I wanted to walk out after about 30 seconds.