Critics across the nation are eager for the film adaptation of the critically acclaimed musical “Les Misérables,” which hits theaters Christmas Day. The movie, which shares the same title as the musical, marks the first time in decades that the stage production has been adapted to the silver screen, starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried. It was produced by Working Title Films and distributed by Universal Studios.
The 1988 film by the same title, starring Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman and Claire Danes, while critically acclaimed, was based on Victor Hugo’s original 1862 novel and was not a musical production. Hugo’s book spawned multiple adaptations, including the famous Broadway show with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, which is featured in the 2012 film.
In the new “Les Miz” film, as the title is often shortened, director Tom Hooper implemented a new style of recording the musical numbers. Instead of filming the actors lip-synching the previously recorded songs, Hooper brought a piano on set and shot his cast actually singing while wearing earpieces that played the pianist’s simple versions of the numbers. Hooper added the orchestral elements in post-production, overlaying the music over the actors’ lyrics. The cast praised Hooper’s tactic, saying that they were able to focus more on their acting since they were actually singing the pieces and were not forced to fake it.
The media noted the cast’s dedication to the quality of the film, citing how Jackman went through radical weight changes and how Hathaway cut her hair drastically shorter for their respective roles. Critics are already talking about the film’s probable notoriety in the upcoming Oscar season, some even going as far as to say that Hathaway could win the coveted award for her powerful portrayal.
The plot, set in 19th century France, tells the story of a prisoner, Jean Valjean, who becomes a decent, wealthy man, but is repeatedly haunted by his shameful past in the form of Inspector Javert, a French officer bent on capturing Valjean. The musical features powerful themes of redemption and tragedy and was the third longest-running musical in Broadway history before it ended in the United States.
The teaser trailer, featuring Hathaway’s haunting rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream,” debuted in May with positive reception,and gave audiences first glimpses of Jackman as Jean Valjean, Hathaway as Fantine, Crowe as Inspector Javert and Amanda Seyfried as the adult Cosette. The studios released posters featuring the main characters this month. The studios will use the Christmas season to promote the film as the Halloween season draws to a close, and the marketing has already become less competitive with “The Great Gatsby” being pushed to summer 2013.
The general consensus is that the film is on the track to succeed. I know I will be at Cobb Theater on Dec. 25. With early viewers already raving about the film and buzz already spreading about Oscar potentials, I think it’s safe to assume that “Les Misérables” is already set to be a classic.
