Posted my obligatory Facebook status and tweet after watching Les Misérables now it's time to write down my overwhelming feelings that no 420 or 140 characters can ever relay.
It was Christmas Eve and I watched the 25th anniversary concert of Les Mis because I am running out of relatively good options to watch. Then I got the fever. The Les Mis fever or whatever it's called, I contracted it. The feeling grew inside me, eating at my very flesh, asking for more. So I downloaded the 10th. But the powerful Javert and Valjean in the 25th - in my opinion, at least - got me voting for the 25th. Then the trailers came. I just can't helped grinning like a silly kid whenever I watch the trailer on TV. And, of course, I am one of the many who groaned, threw an imaginary tantrum and finally accepted the fate when the movie's Christmas premiere was moved three weeks later in the country. But tonight, after a week of waiting, I have finally watched it and enjoyed every bit of it. Now let me verbalize what I thought about the movie - which some of you might contest or agree.
It never crossed my mind that the movie was long. Yes, I did yawn once or twice bu only because of the two months worth of backlog sleep catching up on me. I guess the song being a musicale film helped in the illusion of time.
At first, I thought Crowe would never be at par with the previous Javerts that I have seen (Quast and Lewis in the 10th and 25th, respectively) because of their strong vocal prowess, but he gave enough justice when he sang 'Stars', one of my favorite songs in the musical.
Hathaway, I bow down to you. Her portrayal of Fantine in the rawest of forms is surely deserving of an Oscar. Especially during the 'Lovely Ladies' scenes which transitioned to 'I Dreamed A Dream' where she has to convey all those feels to the audience which she did! Awesome!
Maybe because it was a stage performance and theatre actors must act the scenes all grand, but I enjoyed the 'Lovely Ladies' and 'Master of the House' scenes onstage. But I am not saying I didn't have fun watching the film counterparts. I just thought the latter had more of a 'darker' feel than the former, especially when I laughed during the onstage performance of 'Master of the House'.
The movie was based on the book and the musical...I guess. I haven't actually read the book but my good friend who was with me helped me understood some scenes lifted from the printed pages of Hugo's masterpiece, like when Gavroche delivered the letter to Valjean and how Valjean and Cosetter escaped from Javert the first time. I really have to get a copy now.
Jackman also deserves an award. Actually, everyone does. But Jackman's portrayal of Valjean left a mark in me like how Boe left a tenor Valjean and Wilkinson left a rocker Valjean. Gaaaaaahd, I was amazed myself that I was able to hold back man-tears from falling when Valjean died at the end.
Sacha Baron-Cohen and Helena Bonham-Carter were perfect to portray the Thénardiers. The running gag of Cohen's character forgetting Cosette's name is a nice touch of comic relief in the movie's plot which is heavily-laden by emotions.
I just can't help but compare Jonas from Redmayne in the latter's portrayal of Marius in the silverscreen. Jonas has that Disney-esque or pop music feel in his way of singing Marius' songs whilst Redmayne, being a more seasoned theater actor himself, sang the songs with intensity worthier of an onstage performance.
Barks did a pretty good job playing the role of the Queen of the Friendzone herself, Éponine, although I believe she did a better take on 'On My Own' during the 25th. Nevertheless, she epitomized the extreme of being friendzoned (and Marius being the ultimate jerk-friend) that death is a willing payment just to be with your love, one-sided it may still be.
I'm getting sleepy. Cosette remained to be a so-so character for me. Seyfried can sing alright. Your typical damsel-in-distress, pretty face, caught-in-the-middle girl but can definitely sing.
I might cut this short anytime. The 'Epilogue' scene at the end was just overwhelming and awesome, especially after that almost-tear-jerker death scene of Valjean.
(Told you, anytime. Ciao~)
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