This was a remarkable and truly moving cinema experience,a heartfelt adaption of a Victor Hugo story,.Covering the full gamut of the emotional spectrum,pain,loss,abandonment,identity,loyalty,betrayal and love.Stunning performances by all the cast,in particular the two young leads who brought this reviewer to tears with their honest raw performance,lacking in histrionics, and completely devoid of cinema clichés.A truly worthy addition to the long tradition of cinema adaptations of Hugo novels. .This is the archetypal morality play with a sting in its tail,highly recommended. A noteworthy performance by Depardieu who for a change is not sleep-walking or phoning in his performance this time round ,and you sense his love of,and total involvement in this beguiling story full of magic realism touches by the director.5stars. This to me was the highlight of the French Film Festival and I look forward to other works by this director,his staging,the direction of the actors and the sensitive handling of this complex story was flawless.A thoroughly engaging cinema experience that transports you to another world yet anchors you in the harsh reality of the main protagonist and his struggle for identity and respect from his peers.Also the story touches on the search for love by all of us.It asks us the question what is truly ugly and what is beautiful both within and without.
