Emily Mlynarek ’14| Staff Writer

The musical adaption of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel follows the post-Napoleonic Age France and the 1832 Paris student uprising. “Les Mis” became a Broadway phenomenon in the 1980s, and its music has had a lasting impression on viewers throughout the decades.

This film’s star studded lineup features big names such as Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and Amanda Seyfried. Well-seasoned theater performers were also featured, such as Samantha Barks, who starred as Éponine both on Broadway and in the motion picture.

For those not familiar with the work, “Les Mis” follows the journey of ex-convict Jean Valjean (Jackman) as he is converted to an honest man by a great act of kindness, but breaks parole and is relentlessly pursued by the law-obsessed policeman Javert (Crowe). Throughout the story, Valjean undergoes great transformations, from a rough prisoner to a wealthy, kindhearted man. Jackman does an amazing job portraying each change Valjean underwent, all while giving a strong vocal performance.

Comic relief is provided as Valjean must rescue factory worker, Fantine’s (Hathaway), daughter from the “care” of innkeepers. The two Thenardiers treat young Cossette as a slave while pampering their own daughter, Eponine. Played hilariously by Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen (of “Borat” fame), the heartless thieves are comical in their slimy, manipulative, ways.

Years after that, the story broadens into an epic of love, morality and politics. After Vajlean raises Cosette (Seyfried) as his own, she falls madly in love with the young revolutionary student, Marius (Eddie Redmayne), and entwines their fates.

The film was directed by visionary Tom Hooper of “The King’s Speech”. His motion picture adaption connects the worlds of theater and film by infusing the thrill of live theater and the intensity of film. Watching the movie as opposed to seeing “Les Mis” on stage offers viewers a closer look into the journeys and each character. Hooper also included much more detail from Hugo’s novel than has been included in any other adaption, bringing new life to the story.

Instead of mouthing words to prerecorded songs, Hooper had actors sing live while filming. A 70- piece orchestra was later added in to score the film. As this has rarely been done before in film, Hooper took a huge risk and songs were not entirely smooth. However, the payoff was priceless. Singing live added much needed emotional depth to the songs that were intended to be performed live on stage.

The musical is filled with stunning vocal performances. Each performer holds their own, even the adorable youngsters who play little Cosette (Isabelle Allen) and Gavroch (Daniel Huttlestone). Among the best performances was Hathaway’s performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” as dying factory worker, Fantine. Barks played heartbroken Éponine, and sung “On My Own” with a lasting impact. The raw emotion in both voices brought the audience to tears. As Javert, Crowe also delivered a spot- on performance as well, especially in his rooftop performance of “Stars”.

Another amazing aspect of “Les Mis” was the vivid and diverse scenery Hooper employed. The musical begins with prisoners hoisting a huge vessel into port, and then follows John Val Jean journeys to a stunning mountaintop sanctuary. The musical also brings the dirty yet beautifully historic streets of Paris to life.

As “Les Mis” is a musical, it is basically three hours of loud, passionate music. A common issue with the musical genre, there is some awkward melodic phrasing where there should have been spoken dialogue. This takes some getting used to, and those who are not fans of musicals may not enjoy this aspect of the movie.

As a whole, the musical went above and beyond expectations as the most talked about movie of the year. Every aspect of the film was breathtaking and heartbreaking, leaving audiences tearful and singing its memorable music afterwards.

Grade: A