Now Showing at Athlone IMC in Golden Island
People of a certain age, when they think of Les Mis, think of Colm Wilkinson. He was an original member of the first West End production in 1985. It made a stage star of the Irish singer everywhere. He played the lead, Jean Valjean, and now the story has been given its definite filming, he returns for a cameo role as the Bishop.
The movie is based on the 'Les Misérable' novel by Victor Hugo, and begins with a tragic prisoner in early nineteenth century France, who is finally paroled, but who has to go on the run from a vengeful Police Inspector, who inexplicably takes a hatred of him. The story runs parallel to that of Fantaine, a young woman with a child, who has to turn to desperate measures, i.e. prostitution, to survive. She has to regularly pay a corrupt innkeeper (Sacha Baron Cohen) and his wife, (Helena Bonham Carter) who have given a home to her daughter, Cosette. Great chemistry between the innkeeper and wife.
Valjean takes over the care of Cosette, and in the years that follow, many more strong characters come into the frame, which shows the attempt for a new rebellion in France. The movie, which is a constant musical is set among the barricades in France, after the Napoleonic years and it features the anger of the poor of the country, and all told in bold song and dance.
Hugh Jackson gives it all as Valjean, and was a worthy Oscar nominee here, and has great facial expressions as the character aged. Anne Hathaway as Fantaine deservedly won the Best Supporting Acting Oscar, with a most moving performance. Russell Crowe as the police inspector didn't exactly hit the target, but the show was almost stolen from Anne Hathaway by the charismatic Samantha Barks as Eponine.
Costumes and make-up was fantastic, you felt you were living on the dirty streets, although the streets did have a very soundstage feel.
However, 'Les Misérable' is an enjoyable production and has great songs, and strong voices.