ANNE HATHAWAY | LES MIS "I DREAMED A DREAM" | Musical Theatre Coach Reacts

[@cromulentwords]

As many problems as this film had, I love that they changed when this song is performed. Instead of having Fantine sing it right after she gets fired, they hold off until she's hit her absolute lowest point. It made a big difference having all that buildup, and seeing her hope drain away while she remains quiet about her pain. Then they hit you with it once she's sold the last thing she can offer, and you hear the customer chuck some coins on the floor and walk away. And she's lying in that bed that looks like a coffin. Come on.

[@sunny70299]

I disagree with this. What makes the song so tragic is that it's not sung at her lowest point, as bad as things are they still get worss. Also from a storytelling perspective it makes more sense in it's orginal place. It's the moment where she becomes resigned to her fate and gives up, it's the moment that helps us understand why she resorts to selling her body and hair. They only moved it to milk the emotions, not to help tell the story. It was a bit of a cheap trick actually.

[@cromulentwords]

@@sunny70299 I think it makes sense in the stage show for it to happen earlier, as you say. Fantine's backstory has to be introduced quickly and succinctly, and film offers greater opportunity to give glimpses of her personality and situation via closeups and imagery. Plus, most of the film's audience was likely very familiar with the musical already, so baiting them for a little extra drama wouldn't detract much from the plot.

[@timothy1844]

Yes!!!

[@Author.Noelle.Alexandria]

@@sunny70299 I disagree. Seeing her reluctance before finally giving in makes much more of an impact. She didn’t throw the towel in over getting fired. The threw the towel in when there was nothing left.

[@otterzrkuhl]

Suzy 155 but she didn’t really give up when she was fired. She kept working to get money for Cosette. I get what you’re saying, but I think it’s much more heartbreaking when it’s later. After everything she went through she’s finally broken.

[@BellasielBOB]

I read an interview with Anne where she talks about her choice for that last moment of the song. She sang the song as a last lament for the woman she had been - all of her personal hopes and dreams - but at the end, she is killing that woman and becoming only a vessel for her child to survive. She’s pretty much trying to kill the person she was so that she can continue in this life to provide for Cosette.

[@kristenkeys3273]

That totally matches what I’m seeing in the performance. Thanks!

[@susanboyd6592]

Oh my heart just shattered...again.

[@polarisnorth]

That's kind of how I read it. To me, it's the moment where she absolutely gives up, loses whatever last tiny bit of hope she had. Her face just goes flat, her eyes are dead.

[@tori_forte]

This was actually her first take. They shot for another 8 hours afterward but this was the best.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Is that true? Honestly didnt know that.

[@tori_forte]

@@MarcDanielPatrick Oh wait, my bad, it was the 4th take. Still, they spent 8 hours and could have been done in the first 20 minutes haha

[@escotiyaotl8869]

@@tori_forte Yeah, the other takes were all under Anne's request.

[@robertwetmore7655]

4th take? Amateurs!!! I’m kidding. No matter what take it was it proves one thing that is written in stone. Winning best supporting actress at the oscars is the toughest thing in the world to bounce back from. Prove me wrong. In the past thirty years more people have had their careers implode after winning best supporting actress than any other category in the academy awards. Sure, a handful have flourished to an extent but the majority have never made it work to their advantage. Anne Hathaway has been teetering on the line ever since in a way that no other winner has ever done.

[@georghelpenstein-michels6586]

8 hours under this emotional stress, no matter whether its real or played, it will drain you. Bravo for showing us this amount of professional capability.

[@rachelgarcia2553]

The last word of that song always pulls my heart. She doesn’t choose to do a wistful note. Anne Hathaway does a a hardened and dry “dream” showing how life has left her hardened and empty. SO powerful

[@MrNorcal81]

Heart and gut wrenching and probably the best and most honesty brutal portrayal of Fantine ever.

[@robindarbonne-worley4392]

I think that shift at the end is her coming back to the reality of her situation. She let herself go back to that place of love and wonder, and again, let herself go to the place and anger of shame, and so forth. But she knows she can’t stay in that place because it’s the past and if she is to survive to live another day, she has to put her “emotional armor” back on, and bring herself back to today. And the best way to do that is with the anger that’s she’s accumulated from the life that she’s lived.

[@robindarbonne-worley4392]

I’ve seen the 25th anniversary on stage as well as the 30th, and I cry every single time. But I also cried and was moved, just in a different way, during the premiere of this movie. I love Les Mis and even if my son and his friends performed it in our backyard, I would still love it. Just for completely different reasons; just as I did when I watched it on stage or this version on camera. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. And keep your negativity to yourself please.

[@sophiamcl]

It was such a new, different and poignant take on a well-known song, and the performance so stirring -- she was performing more than Fantine, she tapped into something greater, she was all the young women in history who had faced this situation, and she blew our minds. We just couldn't send her away without an award...

[@Handalorian]

I've seen other renditions of this song. And they are great, but her version of this is the first time I actually understood what is was about. I was always confused about having this song in the musical, since every other version was sung like this great soaring anthem during such a bleak point in the character's life. Ms Hathaway made me understand that this was a song of profound grief. This was a song about a woman grieving the death of her hopes and dreams. Grieving the death of her innocence, of her happiness. And that grief can have a certain... Beauty.

[@patriciaadams6647]

It always seems to be performed from a place of anger. She performed it from a place of brokenness.

[@JoyMarie201]

@@patriciaadams6647 which i believe is what Anne Hathaway was truely striving for.

[@oinkmastersupremeforever]

Yes! 4 and 1/2 minutes to an Oscar is exactly what this song should be referred to as performed by Anne Hathaway. I've heard many performers(Beautifully,) sing this song but never have I ever heard what the desperation of the lyrics are saying to the world performed with true desperation and heartbreak 💔

[@PeterWolf1978]

perfectly sum up

[@colettedelaney6495]

That’s because when she sings it at a different place in the show. And the Broadway production, she sings it before most of the devastation has happened

[@babsmasters8569]

As a jaded trama healthcare worker, it is near impossible to move me to tears. This is the song did just that in a packed theater on Christmas Eve for the opening viewing. So much raw emotions that one can not ever truly bring to it while singing it on broadway.

[@faith.s_mom]

Thank you for being "on the front line" for us. Stay well, God Bless ❤

[@babsmasters8569]

@@faith.s_mom thank you

[@mammamathews]

As they turn your dream to shame, is such a sad line.

[@abbyk36]

I can’t watch this performance without crying. I think that when an actor has a long time to think about a role, that preparation really helps make it believable. I think Ann’s mom playing Fantine really impacted her and that’s why she was able to take this role to the next level.

[@AJRooneyYT]

Though the Les Mis movie was not my favorite Les Mis vocally, the acting was superb. Truly highlights the talents of Actors like Hathaway and Jackman. As always, great points Marc!

[@christophermichael6844]

What sucks is most of the cast are solid performers, with Anne and Hugh having major Broadway credentials. But Live Singing a movie is a terrible decision.

[@marine6680]

@@christophermichael6844 The movie was more about the story than the music. The songs exist because people expected it, they are almost an afterthought to the acting. I get the feeling the singing was included only due to the expectations of the audience, that portraying the story in a more realistic emotional way was the goal. Beautiful clear clean and soaring sung vocals do not really convey an emotion like despair very well.

[@christophermichael6844]

@@marine6680 Oh, absolutely. If they weren’t going for Story first, they’d have made several casting decisions and would never have decided to sing during filming

[@revangerang]

@@marine6680 I completely agree. They feel so human and real in the film. I’m probably in the minority but I’ve always had a bit of an issue with listening to the Broadway Les Mis songs because they feel kind of contrived to me. 🤷🏼

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

@@christophermichael6844 Live singing in a movie is NOT a terrible decision. You just have to cast people who can actually sing well during multiple takes. And in the cast of Les Mis there were one too few people who were cast as known movie faces instead of their ability to sing. Russel Crowe being the standout, but even Jackman with all of his broadway experience was just not the right choice for that role. Not because he doesn't have the skills, but because he simply has the wrong voice for the part.

[@stephaniewayman6850]

Princess Mia has come a long way. She got a lot of hate in the beginning but this song won her an oscar.

[@katherinepollock]

OMG I forgot about Princess Mia!! She has come quite a long way 💖😊

[@hellidancerhelmwhite8012]

I can‘t understand the dislikes! It is so emotional and true! She sing with so much feeling. I cry every Time i hear if. ❤️❤️❤️

[@pixistix831]

I think this and Empty Chairs are 2 examples of where the live singing and "actorleading" really work in this film. In sung thru musicals like Les Mis its ok to sometime not full sing the songs as the the words to songs are the dialogue of the film.

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

On my own is the third one.

[@kd4495]

Eddie Redmayne was robbed of an oscar or any other award.

[@yellowRose806]

Would the movie musical worked better if it was a mix of both prerecord and live singing? Especially since most of the main cast weren't professional singers. It must have been torture. At the end of the day, it's a movie shoot, not a stage show with the hours they worked.

[@slaphappyduplenty2436]

Her performance of this song is so good that I never want to see it again. I remember being in shock seeing it at the cinema.

[@michaelodonnell824]

The "shake of the head" is PURE Movie - it wouldn't even be seen four rows back - never mind the 40 in any theatre. It ONLY works on film....

[@smalltowngirl4766]

I had heard this song sung by so many singers, but this was the first time I was pulled into the song! I was waiting for each note and breath to be taken, and watching each expression. It was wonderful!

[@mom2three165]

Anne Hathaway was absolutely incredible in this role. Does anyone know why the public turned on for her after her Oscar win? Was it really bc of her Oscar speech? The hate on seemed so unfair and unnecessary!

[@Dwellerindarkness]

She was a woman who was, in their view, allowed to win something, and didn't seem appreciative enough of it.

[@dyancampbell5028]

I agree. I never understood the hate either.

[@yc0995]

envy is an ugly sin. A young, beautiful successful woman at the prime of her career and also in the process of starting a family. As as I know never has been involved in a hollywood scandal and is a versatile actress. Of course people are gonna nitpick something lol

[@Author.Noelle.Alexandria]

@@Dwellerindarkness And there were some people who, very stupidly, thought her performance was over dramatic, as if that particular moment could be overdone.

[@redcardinalist]

what hate? the fake hate the media played up? I'd like to see some actual real evidence of this supposed "hate"

[@leandroluces7127]

FINALLY! You are so underrated when it comes to this reaction thing. You are so knowledgeable about the craft and so passionate about musicals. Please more

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Thank you so much Leandro. Means a lot.

[@lukereyes9263]

She entrenched herself in this role like no other Fantine has (IMO) It's emotionally RAW!! 😭 Yes, I cried a river when I first watched this scene.

[@lukereyes9263]

Hi Marc - I did musical theatre in college (I was a Theatre Arts Major) and a few years after, in which I found dance, which lead majority of my career until a major injury caused me to retire. I know you reacted to Black Pink, a kpop group a few months back. I am a huge kpop fan and wanted to offer some new kpop content you can react to - Curious to hear your reactions? These are kpop idols will be covering some Disney songs to showcase their 'musical' chops 👍 - Here is the list: 1. Eunji (member of Apink) - Into The Unknown (Frozen 2) 2. Siyeon (member of Dreamcatcher) - Speechless (Aladdin) 3. Minnie (member of G-Idle) - "Gravity" - Sara Bareilles song cover 4. Dita and Denise (members of Secret Number) - "Some where over the Rainbow" and "See The Light" (Tangled) - You can find them under "Secret Number - Secret Fun EP 5 & 6 Look forward to your thoughts and reactions 👍

[@bakedandbeaded]

I cry every time I watch it.

[@bernardcleary4330]

I just re-watched this movie a couple days ago! Amazing performances by almost everyone in the cast, but especially Ms. Hathaway. Eddie Redmayne was also a delightful surprise as Marius.

[@GiaBlinks]

I'm glad that you are excited about this film. A lot of people talked shit about it, but I thought they did a great job telling the story.

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

Me too. I love this film. It is not bad. Yes, it needs work and the actors should not have starved or dehydrated themselves, etc. but they portrayed their characters authentically making the audience feel every beat and emotion.

[@danaandrews4261]

I didn't know what Les Mis was about when I went to the movie theater. My 11yo daughter and I sobbed the ENTIRE TIME. So moving and raw. I don't understand the negative critique

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

@@danaandrews4261 i agree.

[@justarandomveryintelligent8934]

I think it was the people who were fans of the stage production who shit on it the most because they wanted the big, loud, brassy music numbers. They didnt understand that doing a musical on screen allows the actors to actually explore and present the actual emotions the characters are feeling. They dont have to turn the volume to 11 to get the performance out to the audience in the back. They can actually soumd pained, weak, and frail and that its ok to do the song that way.

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

I worked with musical actors at the time when the movie came out and they all went to see it and had nothing but praise for it. Sure they expressed some minor criticism on some of the singing, but overall they were all very impressed.

[@stephaniewayman6850]

Anne also went on such an extreme diet to get this thin. People tend to envy celebrities but they sacrifice so much for their craft.

[@pirateylass]

I can so relate to the emotion fueling this character's scene. I lost the love of my life 2 years ago, and I've been in that exact spot emotionally. You really do not care to keep on breathing when the grief and despair is right there in your face. Makes me appreciate Anne's commitment to this role and her performance all the more.

[@ilikeyoutube836]

I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you

[@om92555]

You can really hear the despair in her voice.

[@ming840]

Pure gold performance by Anne Hathaway.

[@NimChimpskyful]

Hathaway is just generally an underrated actress in general, because there is that sort of over-enthusiastic theatre kid thing going on with her that puts some people off. But it's endearing and she actually draws on her inherent eagerness here in a way, by twisting that vibe upside down. In terms of other "oscar-winning performances built on vulnerability" by first thought was Ellen Burstyn for Requiem for a Dream...because I forgot she didn't win! A travesty.

[@penguim1996]

I wasn’t sure when Anne Hathaway was cast, but this was freaking incredible and she deserved all the awards. Can I suggest Master of the House? It’s silly and fun, but I have a thing for the song, lol. Things I’d like to see that I’m going to keep asking for: Guns and Ships from Hamilton (v, v impressive) Literally anything from Six (pls) Also please please please please PLEASE anything from deafwest Spring Awakening (I know you love original SA, pls react to the revival! It’s incredible!)

[@grandmomsdc]

Incredible performance, so real. I don't understand why some people hate this movie ... I loved it. Thanks for this!

[@JoJosingr]

BEYOND BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE BY ANNE HATHAWAY!!!!!!!

[@ClassicRock-gx8hd]

Love her powerful performance so much! IMO, perfection

[@barbarastewart8066]

Simply brilliant....God I feel her hurt 😞 the despair is so real and many in real life have felt some despair to death!!!!

[@shelbywright3712]

I really think that switch at the end is her being mad at herself. . ."I should have known better than to dream such a dream." The fury at her wasted emotional energy, and wasted life. Such an amazing piece of work from Anne Hathaway. Thank you for your video!

[@shifra1967]

Yes to a Les Mis channel! Also, can you do the movie version of the final battle?

[@stephaniejohnson229]

Just thinking about the Enjolras and Grantaire moment makes me want to cry

[@stardust2882]

I’m pretty sure that I read or saw somewhere that this scene was Anne Hathaway’s 4th take! I can’t remember where I saw that but still-she is so incredibly talented!! This song already makes me want to cry, but her performance is truly heartbreaking!!!

[@carterhornberger8753]

Well let's be honest here everyone in musical theatre does it on there first take, when they go for the 10th or 25th anniversary performance there is no do over. And if you close your eyes and listen to Anna Hathaway sing this it's honest pretty hard. Acting is amazing but the music in the musical is not there

[@gazmondo]

@@carterhornberger8753 when you go to see a show in the theatre, or a movie in the cinema, you don't keep your eyes shut. We all know how much criticism she received for the vocal aspects of this performance. This song demands gritty, not pretty. Having seen this show multiple times on stage, and fairly close to the stage, I've never been moved as much as I was watching Hathaway's performance. If you sterilised the emotion from this, I'm sure she'd sing it beautifully, but it would be very bland to watch. I agree with Marc DP that she nails this!

[@revangerang]

@@gazmondo Agreed. This is the lament of a woman who has lost literally everything, and is homeless and dying in a cruel world. Why would that be pretty? When people sing this song prettily, it loses all meaning and feels so contrived to me. I really don’t understand the point of even wanting this song to sound pretty tbh. The subject matter is so emotional and heavy and raw- it is the last glimmer of dignity this fellow human has, not something to make you feel nice and be entertained.

[@benjjjjsin]

@@carterhornberger8753 Theater actors don’t go this far acting-wise though. What Anne did is definitely difficult.

[@belindaparedes6300]

@@carterhornberger8753 I just saw the live theater version of Les Mis in Chicago for the first time. I can honestly say I did not get the emotion and the importance to the story until I saw this Anne Hathaway version. It was lovely to listen to, but just didn’t bring the anguish of the moment and the tears (mine) to the forefront like this version. On the other hand, On My Own was amazing live, so maybe it was partially the individual theater actors that made a difference.

[@taylorh.2423]

If anybody asks why Anne Hathaway is my favorite actress, I refer to them this scene. She's just so talented and so emotive.

[@sandymorales7414]

I have been waiting for this one! You didn’t disappoint- but you never do.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

💕

[@gracehowell.]

Honestly, the opening shot looks like she's already in a coffin.

[@silby1867]

I'm pretty sure she was.

[@Shadowhuntervictor]

They were actually the style of beds in France at the time! I was curious when the film first came out and looked it up

[@michaelriddick7116]

When I saw this in the theatre on Christmas day ... I was in absolute tears from start to finish during this 💔💔😭😭😭

[@MarkWick]

When I first saw this I turned to someone nearby and said, "Wow! I have never seen a song acted like that." I much prefer hearing stage versions, but for this movie, this was the way to do it.

[@ravigil04]

I agree, les miz is the best and my favorite musical. I absolutely love this version of the song and I think it has to do with the placement in this movie. Moving this song to after Lovely Ladies is perfect! And her acting and singing really makes this song's meaning pop out more.

[@smjonesy33]

Jennifer Hudson. “And I’m Telling You...”

[@asia6016]

This song destroys me everytime. Wow. This performance is impeccable.

[@davidbangtson3109]

So powerful, so sad, so beautifully performed. I can remember how thrilled I was that she won the Oscar, as no one ever deserved it more.

[@amybaker3551]

I love this so much. So many roles glorify prostitution for whatever reasons, but this is probably more realistic.

[@jennyhamilton1477]

Yes to Les Mis channel! And YES to this song! Oh Anne!

[@VenomousFang1]

I felt it she was shaking her head In Reference to the word “wasted” Shaking her head in regret for the wasted dreams of her youth

[@nersbabs]

My vote for most effectively showing vulnerability were actors Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton in “Ordinary People”

[@ma53jg]

What a remarkable film (and book)!

[@annieb.829]

I really needed this video, thank you!!

[@Maria_Xiao]

I remember watching this scene in the theater and choking on my snot. I was crying so much. Perfection.

[@Moonbeamchild8]

To me, that switch she made at the end felt like bitterness. At some of our lowest points, we often feel angry and bitter at the way things have turned out.

[@wasawski9251]

I'm Argentinian so I would love for you to react to some performance of Josefina Scaglione in the 2009 Broadway revival of West Side Story. 😻

[@Far2hip]

In a nutshell, some of the most impactful and emotion inducing moments in any performance are well crafted intentionally timed spaces of nothing. There is no better tool in the musical artists toolbox than that tool that has the word “Space” carved into it. 😎

[@bettybrantley9518]

This my most favorite musical. I have seen it 7 times and still continue to enjoy it. Please do more on this musical. Thanks!

[@staciemary]

Her performance was stunning

[@Mark_E_M]

It’s going to kill me when you do Little Fall of Rain! That song breaks me EVERY TIME!

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Already done. Check the channel sir!

[@beckybirdsell2290]

What. A. Performance. I have seen some incredible performances but this is the first where I hung on every syllable and actually leaned forward to make sure I didn't miss a note. Thank you, MDP, for bringing this treasure back for another look. On a completely different planet, I would love for you to react to Kristen Chenoweth and Dove Cameron singing "Evil Like Me" from the first Descendants movie. Or you can keep it as a fun, guilty pleasure for yourself!

[@kathleenjacinto2279]

I’d love him to react to almost anything involving Kristin Chenoweth!

[@carolinegilmore812]

I 100% agree there should be a separate Les Mis channel! It has been my favorite since I was a 9th grader and saw it in Charlotte, NC many years ago. I saw another touring company in Charlotte 2 years later, but seeing it in London was a game changer. Such an incredible story of mercy vs justice and the power of redemption. And the fact that the entire musical is sung was what endeared me to it so many years ago. Thank you for this commentary. Anne Hathaway brought a rawness to I Dreamed a Dream that would be extremely difficult to convey on a stage without closeups. She worked hard and deserved this Oscar. I appreciated the movie version, but nothing holds a candle to the stage production! 💕

[@joycespino]

Production of your videos is changing, interesting. I really like your point of view on acting first, singing second, I hadn´t thought of it that way, but as a singer I tend to prefer more of a mix, this rendition gives me all the heartache, and sadness, but not a lot of the magic and chills from the musical aspect, therefore it leaves me half way through. I want to feel that voice push me where the facial expressions and tears can't, that is after all the magic of musical theater, at least for me.

[@jillisenberg9704]

I love the new background!

[@oinkmastersupremeforever]

Can you analyze All That Jazz performed by Oscar-winning Catherine the great Zeta-Jones ?

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Sure, I really do need to get some Chicago into this channel.

[@oinkmastersupremeforever]

Oh,!I just had contact with a Celebrity!!! Thank you Marc!!💗

[@oinkmastersupremeforever]

I really love your Analysis of these performances

[@oinkmastersupremeforever]

I know you "hear these people Sing"😁

[@daniellemantai1928]

Yes to Chicago!!!!

[@warriorchick516]

I am LIVING for your videos! I had a thought... Josh Groban and Kelly Clarkson "All I ask of you" should be a great contrast of classical training versus pop...

[@briannapinkney4966]

Her performance was superb. I can’t.

[@cjp9773]

I was waiting for you to do this one! Loved it and thank you!

[@juffee9595]

Goodmorning Marc (: I really loved this reaction and review on Anne. I'm always can't wait to wake up and see on of your videos in the morning 😁 Have a lovely day

[@Buffy8Fan]

Watch the KZbin video/interview/panel _Les Misérables Cast- Q&A in Los Angeles - Dec 15th 2012_ if you wish to know what was going through Anne Hathaway's head and her thought process. She goes from talking about her audition through filming all in the span of a couple minutes during one answer of one asked question.

[@chrishansen1353]

My thoughts on what I imagine Anne is is trying to portray as Fantine On that action and look after the “shame crescendo”: She started with a dream and she’s realizing now how far away she is from that dream. I think she covers her mouth because she’s ashamed of how far she’s fallen from that life she dreamed. She looks up almost as if she’s searching for that dream. Where did it go? How did it get so far out of reach? The shift at the end: she IS angry. It’s the dream’s fault. She’s angry at the dream for not staying with her; for not coming true and abandoning her to this shameful, pitiful life.

[@Ttoby89]

I think she's angry at herself. For ever having believed.

[@RabbitsFunWorld]

You give such great advice and lessons. Almost in every video, you are lip-syncing with them. I would love to hear YOU sing. 😁

[@IamtheMessenger]

I think that last shift we see at the end of the song was her killing the dream becoming dead inside.

[@susanpearson-creativefibro]

Have you seen Judi Dench sing Send in the Clowns? That is another example of actor led singing and I find it mesmerising.

[@rebeccagoodin6931]

my goodness. Anne Hathaway is amazing.

[@rebeccagoodin6931]

just wish ya would of allowed us more than 4secs before ya began speeking. LOL Had to watch original to get the gist. luv ya bub

[@misfittoys5873]

I love the decision to move I dreamed a dream to well and truly after Fantine has hit rock bottom.

[@silby1867]

I heard some one say about them changing the placing of the song until a bit later, 'On stage her despair leads to her degredation, in the film her degredation leads to her despair.' I think they got in right in the film. Then you have Anne Hathaway's performance on top of that and you are an emotional wreck.

[@rmcmariusable]

Thank you for this. Another Oscar winning performance that comes to mind is Jennifer Hudson's Effie in Dream Girls. She sang her heart out and WAS Effie in every scene. Same with Renee Z in Judy.

[@melissamason2983]

I never knew Anne Hathaway could sing until she was cast in this roll. I grew up singing Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera so it took years for me to accept her in this role and actually watch it, but she did a fantastic job.

[@schmittyshar]

I’m going through my own lil’ “soul crushing life blows” thang at the moment and I’ve been wallowing in it with Anne Hathaway’s, Fantine, all morning long! 😅 Then I stumbled upon your channel and your take on her performance. Bravo! I couldn’t agree more. I’m especially glad you spotted that subtle “shift” at the end! To me, it’s what makes her performance even more, “other level”. I believe that you’re right, that it is anger (or resentment) that we get a glimpse of there. And, IMO, it’s so brilliant of her to end the moment she’s having with that shift because it rings so true! I mean, it’s one thing when “the Universe” deals you a series of really tough blows, but it’s an entirely other thing when people you thought loved you, either betrayed you or turned their back(s) on you while it was happening. That’s what really breaks a person’s spirit (IMO). So, for me, this rings ‘importantly’ true. Because, after a full-on session of wallowing in the depths of my own despair, there is, admittedly, a tinge of outrage I end up feeling about the “suckiness” of the people…who could have helped, but didn’t. Anger, in these circumstances, I think is a survival mechanism. At least it is for me. It’s what “activates” me out of despair and into action(s)…like belting, “I dreamed a dream “ all morning long with Anne Hathaway. 😉

[@12cowwoman]

I cry like a baby every time this song comes along in the movie "sigh"

[@soravitnot]

so great performance of history

[@thecutest23]

My fave ever. The emotion is amazing. I cried the first time i heard her performance.

[@tabithahallows6116]

Marc: This is one of the show stopping numbers- Me: A SHOW STOPPING NUMBER! A REAL SHOW STOPPER! A STOPPING NUMBER, COME OOONNNNNNNNNN!

[@evawurttemberger4994]

You ask for the shift in the end? This is pulling herself together after allowing herself drowning in despair just for a few moments. In the end she is sort of killing herself again, as she has died begore so many times, at least when she had to deliver herself to that man.. No feelings allowed because she can't stand it. There is also bitterness, while realizing there is no future for her at all, just keep going in the " hell she's living in", till the very end. It's not nicely sung this song but boy ...it knocks you out.

[@ilikeyoutube836]

I don't usually even like Anne Hathaway, but I was absolutely blown away by her performance in this scene. My heart broke for her

[@ispellitjustg]

I read somewhere before it came out that Anne got the song in an early take but she felt it wasn't it. She redid it multiple times, but in the end they felt that early take was the one.

[@otterzrkuhl]

I appreciate how she puts acting first without sacrificing the singing

[@tinarichard9015]

What a beautiful actress!!!

[@michaelodonnell824]

As someone who came to the movie from the novel, the whole first chapter of the novel is Fantine's backstory (though, of course, the reader doesn't realise this and we meet many characters who never appear again), it is only in this song (aria?) that we even get any references to Fantine's backstory and how Cossette (who the whole 900+ pages revolve about) came to be...

[@justinchristian3374]

Hey Marc, great channel! The algorithm got it right...so happy I found you! Your awesome!!

[@junathegde]

Had the biggest crush on her since our school outing was watching the dark knight rises at a mall close by Had a new appreciation as a 13 year old for women in leather suits since then

[@meghanmonroe]

Jimmy Stewart in It's A Wonderful Life (nomination for Best Actor)...his performance is so vulnerable and moving that I physically cannot watch the movie without ugly crying. And Meryl Streep in August: Osage County (nomination for Best Actress). I can watch that one over and over, as well. It's still so much like a play. Great dialogue and cast.

[@jessbrannon_actor]

Interesting new set up. Can you please do Mr. Mistoffelees from the original Cats movie

[@RodRuth]

Incredible.....

[@sophiamcl]

I heard in a documentary, that Anne did a TON of takes on her initiative, but in the end, for the movie they use TAKE ONE!!! The read on the very final words: I feel the focus is DREAMED, that is, she admits to herself that the past is just that, a dream, it's gone. There may be some self-reproach there for being so foolish, but mostly I see it as steeling herself to let the dream go, there's an absolute finality in this phrase. The dream is over, THIS is real.

[@jeangreco9561]

Yes, this was the first take!! Amazing !!! Speaking of vulnerability & Oscars, how about Meryl Streep in Sophie’s Choice? Gotta love her ... 🤩

[@kenmcguire5837]

I learned this song from the original London Cast album, and every other performance I have heard did not communicate Fantine's utter brokenness like Patti LuPone did - until I saw the movie. Anne Hathaway's performance is absolutely amazing, and she utterly deserves her Oscar for it. But when I just listen to it without the visual element, it doesn't reach the LuPone London original or Salonga 25th Anniversary level for me. To me it just shows how important the media form is for a performance. Perhaps for me it is that as primarally an instrumentalist, when just listening I prefer when there is a bit more contrast between Fantine speaking of her crushed hopes as still having power, and the insistence of the falling bass line that musically refuses to let that happen. But the song is a different place in the movie - and for where it is in the movie, this treatment is utterly appropriate.

[@wordlife94]

Moving this song to after Lovely Ladies was SO effective.

[@archiesto4444]

I was listening to this on Spotify, but it wasn't this version, so I came to youtube to listen to this version and i saw another vocal coach react and I couldn't finish it, she did not appreciate the fact that Anne was acting her butt off on this song and doing it so amazingly - by far my favorite version of this song!! You did a great react thanks!

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

This song is especially great if you have read the novel, because it condenses basically an entire chapter of the Book into 4 minutes. And I'd say that anyone who doesn't cry them moment Anne reaches that "shame" is dead inside.

[@dawgeral333]

I read that last bit of the song...as "resolve"...not anger, but strength and power.

[@Mrs_Mama_MFT]

Not only have I seen and loved the movie, I have seen Les Miserable in Chicago, Broadway, East End and one of the traveling casts in Colorado. Of course I love Hamilton (which I surprised my girls by seeing it when they first came to Denver) and I’m a big fan of Dear Evan Hanson (took one daughter on Broadway with the entire original cast minus Ben Platt, and since my younger daughter never forgave me, I took her to the traveling cast in Denver) but nothing can compare to Les Miserable.