Went to the movie today. Actually, the stage play is better, but it is a good movie experience. Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway are incredible! I never considered them Tier 1 actors, but they proved themselves in this. Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert wasn't bad, but I think Crowe was miscast. Normally, I'm a big Russell Crowe fan, but he didn't capture the rigid adherence to duty that Javert has. Overall, he was good, just not quite right.
Sacha Baron Cohen was an unmitigated disaster! He took a very dark, humorous role and turned it into a collection of cheap gags. Very disappointing, and it did not fit into the story at all. Helena Bonham Carter followed suit, but she would have been much better if casting was different, and the direction of their scenes was consistent with the rest of the movie.
A few lines were changed, as well as the ending, which was also disappointing, and they added a song which did not fit in well with the original score, and was out of place. They also shortened some songs, and some of the key scenes. But that's Hollywood, I guess.
However, the movie added some scenes from the book which weren't in the play, which was fun.
It is not a fast paced movie, and it lasts 2 1/2 hours, but the music, scenery, the fabulous acting of Jackman and Hathaway, all work together to make this one of the best movies of the year, in spite of the minor issues mentioned earlier.
So go see the movie. You'll enjoy it.
Les Misérables
