Les Misérables (2012)

In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory worker's daughter. The decision changes their lives for ever.

Director:

Tom Hooper

Writers:

William Nicholson (screenplay), Alain Boublil (screenplay),

Stars:

Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway

Won 3 Oscars. Another 73 wins & 143 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Jackman	...	Jean Valjean
Russell Crowe	...	Javert
Anne Hathaway	...	Fantine
Amanda Seyfried	...	Cosette
Sacha Baron Cohen	...	Thénardier
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Madame Thénardier
Eddie Redmayne	...	Marius
Aaron Tveit	...	Enjolras
Samantha Barks	...	Éponine
Daniel Huttlestone	...	Gavroche
Cavin Cornwall	...	Convict 1
Josef Altin	...	Convict 2
Dave Hawley	...	Convict 3
Adam Jones	...	Convict 4
John Barr	...	Convict 5

Storyline

Jean Valjean, known as Prisoner 24601, is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert. Set in post-revolutionary France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June Rebellion.

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Plot Keywords:

rebellion | student | barricade | france | parole | 

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Taglines:

The Dream Lives This Christmas

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2012 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Los miserables

Filming Locations:

Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$61,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$27,281,735 (USA) (28 December 2012)

Gross:

$148,775,460 (USA) (29 March 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

158 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Amanda Seyfried also played young Cosette before, when she was 7 years old in a concert.

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Goofs

When we first see Enjolras speaking before the crowd during "Look Down", he and Marius are holding pamphlets in their hands. When Enjolras sings his line "Where is the king who runs this show?", he raises his hand above his head and the camera does a quick cut for a close up -- revealing that the pamphlet has vanished from his hands.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jean Valjean: Look down, look down, don't look them in the eye.
Chain Gang: Look down, look down, you're here until you die.

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Crazy Credits

The film opens without any opening credits. The title of the film is stated just before the closing credits.

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Connections

Featured in The Nostalgia Critic: Les Misérables: Musical Review (2013)

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Soundtracks

Javert's Arrival
Written by Herbert Kretzmer, Claude-Michel Schönberg, and Alain Boublil
Performed by Aaron Tveit, Russell Crowe, Daniel Huttlestone, George Blagden and Alistair Brammer

User Reviews

Magnificent Adaptation

This film is amazing. Absolutely incredible. I don't understand what people are saying about pacing issues, I thought it flowed beautifully. The changes made worked very well. And I didn't think there was any weak link in the cast. I honestly loved Russell as Javert. He wasn't traditional by any means, but what he did worked.

The cgi was not the best, but it kind of created this fantastical other world while still being realistic and grounded.

So many of the acting choices were brilliant and subtle. For example Jackman ever so slightly altered his voice with his characters aging, which I thought was brilliant.

There is no negative thing to say about this movie. However, I do see why a critic may not like it. It's not a critic movie. There isn't a lot of impressive violence, crazy camera shots, etc. the things critics seem to love. It's more grounded in the performances and the story, which it tells extremely well.

The only thing I can point out (because I saw it with my boyfriend who knows nothing about the story) there are two or three slightly confusing plots for those who aren't familiar with Les Mis. But they are either explained later on or not important enough to dwell on.

Anyways, that's my rant. Needless to say I will be seeing it many many times and cannot wait for the DVD so I can own it and watch it even more.