Les Misérables review

Running Time: 157 mins
Directed by: Tom Hooper
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks

There are some films that are destined to make it huge at the box office, even while it’s still in production. Unsurprisingly, Les Misérables made £2.3M in its opening day in the UK on Friday, being the biggest opening day for a musical. I was one of those tickets and I’m glad to have been.

Review: Victor Hugo’s novel has been adapted to film many times before, and then the novel was adapted to a musical. But Tom Hooper’s adaption of the musical is something new. Live singing (no sound editing), extravagant action and phenomenal acting all in one.

Above anything else, Les Misérables is an actor piece; the entire structure is kept together because of the outstanding acting from a ray of perfectly fitting actors. Anne Hathaway’s brutally heart-breaking but enchanting performance as Fantine is entirely worthy of an Oscar, as she steals the film within the first half an hour. Hugh Jackman’s passion and assertiveness as Jean Valjean follows throughout the whole film, so that every moment on screen is a delight to watch because it’s striking. In fairness, everyone is a delight but the eye opener of the film is Samantha Barks who, in her debut film role, shines. Being one of the only stars of the film to reprise her role from the stage show, it’s clear why she was chosen as her voice and mannerisms as Éponine are charming and graceful.

Visually it’s breath-taking, proving that a film production wouldn’t have worked 10 or 20 years ago, because it would have failed to capture the beautiful buildings and cruel, dirty reality of 19th century Paris. There are more than enough awkward angles and unnecessary pans, but with the focus of Eddie Redmayne’s tears as he passionately sings Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, the good points outweigh Hooper’s excessive use of canted shots.

This is a real musical, with minimal speaking dialogue and everything proclaimed through song, something films do not do enough of now. It’s effective, gloriously adding delicacy to the harsh themes of Les Mis, while the live singing from each character captivates the exact overwhelming feeling watching a musical does. After each number there is a burning desire to stand up and clap, to compliment the actor’s for their fine performances despite the fact it’s not live.

 

Even with the long duration, plus song after song, the pace of Les Miserables is fast and action packed, with something always to admire about the screen whether it’s the gorgeous voices or visuals. Not only does it come with heart-breaking tragedies, but there is action, romance and the odd bit of comedy (from Bonham Carter and Baron Cohen who give the film a lively boost), so when the final credits appear and the urge comes to clap like a live show, the realisation hits that it has been one big, emotional journey.

Les Misérables is stunning, captivating and beautiful. To find a real flaw is impossible.
4.5/5

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Hugo (2011)

Running Time: 126 mins
Directed By: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz, Jude Law, Christopher Lee, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helen McCrory, Emily Mortimer
Screenplay: John Logan
UK Release Date: 2nd December 20111 - UK

Quick Plot: After his father passes away, young Hugo Cabret lives in a railway station in Paris and is constantly running and hiding from the stationmaster who wants to send him to an orphanage. After meeting Isabelle, Hugo soon realises that their meeting cannot have been coincidence after her key mysteriously fits the automaton his father left him. And then the adventure begins..

Review: It's been a while since a family film has included an enjoyable storyline, lovable characters, beautiful colours and a great sense of companionship. For a film to have had all of these, it's a surprise it's come from an iconic director like Martin Scorsese. With no blood, guns, violence or sinister characters, Hugo has a very different audience to some of Scorsese's other films. But even without the blood, violence and so forth, Hugo is the same as other Scorsese films because it has aspects which refer to legendary films as well as being a legendary film.

There is no doubt about it that Hugo is beautiful. It's cold opening is completely enchanting as it introduces a stunning 1913 Paris train station where the film takes place while also introducing young Hugo's life. A young orphan who lives in a train station as the secret clock master, watching people every day as they fall in love, play music and sell croissants. The Paris setting is fascinating not only for the younger generation but for older people too because of the rich colours and believable atmosphere. Even before the story gets underway, it's clear Hugo thrives upon films from before the talkies because of it's classic film aroma.

The first 45 minutes is an adventure of Hugo's daily life and mishaps in Paris with a flashback to Hugo and his father which causes a small pinch of emotion that draws the audience to the protagonist while seeing Jude Law in his small role.
After the 45 minutes, the film focuses a little too much on 'a history of cinema' that may or may not cause younger people to drift away from the Hugo. Though it's still magical and because the cinema story is brought to life by Scorsese, it's interesting while it adds to the beauty of the film. Adapted from the book 'The Invention Of Hugo Cabret' by Brian Selznick, the film mostly looks at the life and films of Georges Méliès. As Hugo continues to repair the automaton his father was trying to fix up, comes the mystery of the film. At first it's fun to see what the automaton writes when working and what connection it has to Isabelle (Moretz), but after, the discovery element is lost among the praise to cinema. Luckily for us, the flashbacks to films and Méliès life are interesting and very realistic so we can forgive the film for not being as 'discovery' as the trailer misleads. Nevertheless, it's easy to see why critics are calling Hugo Scorsese's 'love letter' to cinema.

Though Hugo will primarily be known for it's beautiful setting and Scorsese's homage to cinema, the performances should not be forgotten. As a fan of her work, Chloë Grace Moretz never fails to deliver and for her age she has got an incredible list of roles to her name. As young Isabelle, Moretz is the standout of the film as she brings a sweet warmth every time she is on screen and aids Butterfield to gives his breakout performance. Isabelle entices the audience into the life of Hugo Cabret and the pair begin a wonderful friendship. Sacha Baron Cohen, as the wicked station master determined to capture Hugo and whisk him off to the orphanage, is marvellous and completes the film. Cohen gives Hugo it's humour while Moretz gives Hugo its charm. Then there is Kingsley who is fantastic, as always, who brings the story back to earth with his character, the famous Georges Méliès.

Hugo is a massive adventure which is sure to bring fun and light for any family out there. With a beautiful homage and stories of old cinema, Scorsese has adapted a masterpiece with beautiful visuals and enchanting tales. Though it could have done with more discovery, Hugo is enjoyable, sweet and charming.

4/5

Hugo trailer

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