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Les Miserables - Is the film any good?

The film version of the hit musical may have 9 BAFTA noms and received 8 Oscar nods, but is it any good? Les Miserables opens nationwide in the UK tomorrow following its U.S debut on Christmas Day. I was lucky enough to see it on holiday at Christmas in California.

Firstly - the film has retained the emotion and intensity that has made people fall in love with the stage version. I have seen the show 3 times now and all I will say is that it does not really offer you anything new - if you are a fan already. As for newcomers, I'm not quite convinced it's always clear what's happening and when as there is too much narrative to pack in.

The performances on the whole are excellent. It's true Russell Crowe is out of his depth vocally but he does a good job in the acting department - as you would expect. Hugh Jackman does well as Valjean and manages to make him look less fatherly than we are used to seeing. Anne Hathaway should bag an Oscar, as she steals the film, but don't write off Sally Field as she gives a blinding performance in Lincoln. Amanda Seyfried warbles like a canary trapped under a brick as Cosette but as a friend said - the character is irritating anyway. Eddie Redmayne is brilliant and very stoic, yet naive - perfect. It's Samantha Barks, though who puts many of these Hollywood stars to shame, as she is totally mesmerising as Eponine.

The film cannot escape it's stage origins as many of the scenes are obviously on a sound stage and I never really felt that I was in France. But, overall the grit and blood, sweat and tears that you associate with Victor Hugo's tale is there in abundance.

The live singing works for those that can but those that can't (look away Maximus) - it puts a spotlight on this fact and becomes irritating. Helena Bonham Carter plays Mrs Lovett again and like then, vocally is incredibly reedy and I hated her performance. But the audience I was with loved her. 

The elements that will leave you begging for more are the things you already know - the epic story, the wonderfully drawn characters, the well known songs and sweeping score which provide pure, full on emotion. With a four star review from Empire, it seems this could be the film musical that wins over non-converts. It's better than the film version of Phantom by miles and on a par with Evita. With many screenings this weekend already sold out, you better book though, or you might end up bringing yourself home again. 

- by Glenn Meads

Any opinions expressed above do not represent the view of Whatsonstage.com nor any of its staff or contributors beyond the bylined author.

Glenn has covered the Manchester theatre scene for Whatsonstage.com since 2001. Since then he has edited whatsonstage.com/manchester and he currently edits the North West site, as well as providing news, reviews, features and competitions.

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	Get a Taste of the West End in the North West - 2nd Mar 2013 blog
	Why I Cannot Wait for Book of Mormon - 26th Feb 2013 blog
	Does Smash Need to Change? - 31st Jan 2013 blog
	Bring on the Broadway Performers: Welcome Kristin Chenoweth - 27th Jan 2013 blog
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Internal Links
	Les Miserables (Tour - Manchester) - 22nd Jan 2010 Reviews
	Les Miserables - 25th Anniversary Production (Tour - Salford) - 13th Aug 2010 Reviews
	Cast: Barks & Fletcher in Oliver! Tour, Bristol Coram Boy - 27th Oct 2011 News
	Samantha Barks on Life After IDA in Cabaret - 28th May 2009 Features

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