Les Misérables - Movie Review

Les Misérables starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried and Russell Crowe is reviewed by Ben Mankiewicz (host of Turner Classic Movies), Matt Atchity (Editor-in-chief Rottentomatoes.com), Alonso Duralde (TheWrap.com and Linoleum Knife podcast) and Christy Lemire (AP critic).
See what other critics are saying: www.rottentomat...
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption-a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. In December 2012, the world's longest-running musical brings its power to the big screen in Tom Hooper's sweeping and spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo's epic tale.
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[@anthonyatkinson9245]

Anne Hathaway totally deserved that Oscar! Not because she chopped all of her hair off, but because she brilliantly fell into the character of Fantine, powerfully bringing misery, and tragedy to the part. Anne knocked it out of the park! WHY THE HECK DOES ALONSO THINK SHE'S TERRIBLE?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ClydeNut]

+Anthony Atkinson because she's terrible

[@thegooseinator9614]

She wasn't terrible. The character's interpretation in the movie is terrible, but Anne at least did a good job of conveying what that interpretation was.

[@DarinMichaelGrant]

Wow, dude, really? That's your argument when someone asks a freaking *objective* question like, "Why does so-and-so think she is terrible?" "Because she's terrible." OK, god of all films, we apologize for not knowing any better and we beg your forgiveness. My *gosh*, man. P.S. Myself, Anthony, and *many* more critics thought she was fantastic, so maybe you should just accept opinions and try not to be the a**hole you are most of the time.

[@kingkrazy0wns]

DID THAT GUY SERIOUSLY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CHARACTERS BEING TOO SAD? Victor Hugo wrote the novel to expose some of the problems of the era!!

[@nicholas9999]

I'm not sure what you mean here. I wasn't offended by their "bashing" of the film. Were you??

[@Frenchcanadian100]

This movie was amazing! Anne Hathaway's performance blew me away...

[@derekllewellyn6663]

It's looks like new DVD releases review history books documentary about biography book and videos are in make magazine magic New made mazs Halloween costume party and new album area code number of power castle in the clot

[@freyamosedale6276]

Actually, I think the Les Miserables movie is fantastic. The acting is absolutely phenomenal and the vocals were just as stunning.

[@derekllewellyn6663]

Castle of the cl

[@socksandtea]

Ah crap! There's singing in Les Misérables. I had no idea!

[@NathTMcC]

for example I was initially upset when I heard they had a Hollywood actress play Fantine, because Patti LuPone was so powerful and fearless in the role I thought Anne would never fill those shoes, but then seeing Anne's portrayal I realised that all the things I love about Patti are not what Fantine is meant to be, Anne Hathaway brings a vulnerability and a frailty to the character that, if you read the book you see Victor Hugo intended. I feel broadway over looked this.

[@NathTMcC]

yes, I'm currently doing a MA in Musical theatre, but the people that are complaining about the film being slightly different than the musical are not taking into consideration there are things that work on stage that would not work on a screen, (this comment is in two parts haha)

[@aabram7737]

One question, have you seen the show ON THE STAGE?

[@thomasturbator6330]

"It helps if you have watched the musical." Pfffff...It actually helps if you have read Victor Hugo's BOOK!!! But I understand. This is too far fetched for Americans.

[@augster3]

Whenever I watch The Cinema Snob, and I know Brad Jones used Roger Ebert as his reference, my brain goes automatically to Alonso. He's a textbook snooty film snob.

[@fashizlegirl]

This movie has to be the most amazing film I've ever seen. Best movie of the year. I don't know how it didn't win the Oscar. How can you hate this movie??

[@aabram7737]

I do agree about Hathaway. However, for the movie as a whole it didn't embody the "epic" nature that I think Les Miserables deserves. The two best moments were the opening as the camera travels along the ship the prisoners are pulling in and when it flies out in a panoramic of the city while Valjean's shredded papers fly into the wind. That's the kind of feeling I was expecting a story like this to have but all the close ups of faces and people just didn't do it for me.

[@kevdav63]

Based on the book, indirectly. It's a film version of the Broadway musical. I love the play and have seen a couple of movie adaptations of the book. I will be interested to see if this movie stands apart from or above the musical play and non-musical films. Having characters sing on set should make the scenes more "real". I'm expecting better "visuals" than the play; and with the great music, should be a very different movie experience. Looking forward to it.

[@films5555]

You are right. It is obvious they are not big fans of musicals. The reason this film has received mixed reviews, because most film critics hate musicals. Theatre critics should have been hired to review Les Miz. It would have been more accurate opinions. Anne Hathaway's performance is not terrible. She gave the best performance of the movie. Alonso praised Sally Field's horrible performance in Lincoln. That was high school acting .

[@BrotherAlpha]

Ah yes, how did I make that mistake? Sally Field and Helen Hunt are also top picks there, but Anne Hathaway is the most likely winner at the moment. Good news for Warren Buffet.

[@aabram7737]

Read the book (I suggest the abridged version), watch the show on stage, watch Cabaret (a musical that actually didn't fail as a movie), watch a non-musical adaptation of Les Miserables then come back and tell me it was good.

[@delfra70]

Right, i did'nt mean to come down on "Les Meserables" or anything, i'm just not into musicals, but that's just me. That being said both "Les" & "Django" (which i loved) are proving to be smash hits already at the box office. By the looks of it both films will have no problem reaching 100 million domestic easily.

[@Lolaquick]

they addressed that in the beginning for ben, and it's pretty well-known that these critics aren't prejudiced against musicals. they didn't like this movie or the singing in it so that's why they're mocking the singing.

[@mrwalnuthero]

these guys just dont have the mental capacity to like a musical. sad

[@DadRockProject]

I'm kind of surprised. I don't like musicals and would probably never go to this stage production but I have to admit, the movie trailer seems really impressive

[@bartsimpson83]

Did we see the same movie? I'm a huge fan of the stage version and while the film is far from perfect, I thought they did the best job they possibly could have given the material and the fact that it took more than 20 years to get this film made. I actually like the fact that the singing and camerawork were both a bit rough around the edges. For this story, it works and makes the film more raw and intimate than if they had done more conventional staging.

[@christianmarshall3439]

The fact that they don't understand the significance of the candlesticks and that they understate them and mock them makes me question whether or not they could be considered reputable critics.

[@ajbres]

I personally don't like musicals but thought this was great. Agree with Matt Atchity nearly all the time. I got used to the music and the it is a MUSICAL... Everything in musicals are accentuated. It's entertainment. Russell Crowe was bad but how you can say everyone else's performance was over the top is beyond me. Tom Hooper direction is brilliant as well as he uses close ups and wide shots rather than mid shots which you can't get in a theatre. There is a reason for it's hype

[@ladyrhiannon824]

I saw the play, heard the music....then I saw this movie and was blown away....especially from Anne Hathaways performance. If you dont like musicals dont see it. I have to wonder if these guys like any movies.

[@VanityDivined]

Honestly, I don't get why people don't like her. I see her in the context of the time and how trapped someone like her would be, so it would be easy to get caught up in a genuine attraction.

[@abbreviateddisc]

So this Alonso guy thought Anne Hathaway was terrible in this movie, and he gave Movie 43 a 7. Kick him off of the show, he doesn't know shit.

[@Bayard1503]

Usually he's great, he's the most fun of the group.

[@kaybbayyy2362]

You know I get it that this movie wasn't the traditional musical you would go to see, but that made it better for me. The typically musical has been done over and over again by Hollywood. I liked this movie because it felt real, because there voices weren't like Broadway performers it all felt more real.

[@xXKenzieGurlXx]

I dont know why tight shots of people singing is so strange to people? Specifically i think they are talking about Anne Hathaway and how unflattering it was for her, but... That's the point? She said in an interview she didn't want to just sing and show her talent in song, she wanted to portray the broken beaten down character that was fantine with her voice and face, that's true acting if you ask me..

[@mememeome]

For him to come with me, and he really liked it too. Anne Hathaway's performance was very moving. She really captured the emotion and was very realistic. I loved the photography of the film, the acting, the storyline, and the songs. It is very well done, it's just that these critics are too close minded and blind to see it.

[@Archeopteryxman421]

On the contrary, the quality of a film is a matter of opinion . Just because you or many others like a film, does not that feeling is the "correct" way to feel about a film. Just because these critics have a differing opinion of a film does necessarily mean that their taste in films is ill-conceived. Indeed, I myself think the film was mediocre. The point is that just because the critics in the video have a dissent opinion on a critically acclaimed film, does not mean that they hate everything.

[@EplusCequalsLUV]

The phaaannnnnnnnnnnnnntom of the opera is stillllllllllll number 1!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jonathanrodriguez4666]

I see what you did there

[@films5555]

I agree most of your comments. These same critics praised Pitch Perfect a formulaic and easily forgotten cable tv movie, that could have been made for the ABC Family channel. Bring It On ! is better than Pitch Perfect.

[@MaSteezynes]

He gave it a 1.8 and he said he liked the musical. You know why? Cuz this wasn't a normal musical. Musicals have talking and songs, not just singing while talking and then songs. There's a distinct difference between the two. If you wanna see a good musical, watch spring awakening.

[@auracatalina]

Read the goddam book.

[@Mykiss20]

I liked that this is not a pure musical vocally wise. The actors had to actually cry and sing, and not make the song look superficial but rather squeezed through their pain, with all sorts of choking, moans, groans and whispers. Very professional performances that required a lot of hard work from the actors. Yet I understand people who didn't like it. If you like listening to tunes being molded by feeling, closeups, tears and lengthy segments than go see it. Otherwise don't.

[@MajorAlenko]

Opintons are just that... I don't agree with the low scores from Ben and Alonso but I enjoy watching them explain what they didn't like.

[@faraheliza6315]

this is definitely a love or movie. personally, i loved it! but i totally get why people wouldn't get it, and that's okay. the same way i don't get this whole superhero movie obsession thing at the moment.

[@squamish4244]

Generally, it seems, people who had not seen the musical loved the film, and those who had, hated or 'strongly disliked' it. But any three-hour long movie set in 19th Century Paris and concerning characters like a policeman and a rogue criminal that can make people *sob* is obviously working on some level.

[@AnonRulez]

Critics are not supposed to heap huge amounts of praise to every frickin film they are reviewing. They are supposed to give their honest opinions and critiques and get paid regardless. They seem more cynical and have higher standards because they have been watching hundreds of films every year. I'm in between the opinions of Alonso and Ben and Christy and Matt. It was not as bad as the former 2 says, but the major flaw I had with it was the lack of character development of the two leads. (4.5)

[@jakejonescomedy]

But I definitely think the film is gonna get big box office returns because the advertising was pretty effective. They were saying that this is a whole-new musical that you've never seen before, with the WAYS the actors were singing and all that. I was always skeptical that that might have been BULLSHIT.

[@1991stacy]

Why do you guys watch these videos if you hate all the hosts? I personally like them and normally agree with at least one of them, and if I didn't who cares? They're not on there to say what you want them to say.

[@films5555]

I read Alonso's Les Miz review at The Wrap, and many of the commenters were attacking him, his credentials, and his review. It was incredibly vicious and venomous. That is why Alonso is unbelievably mean-spirited on this video. He couldn't handle the negative criticism, and he hates the great reviews Anne Hathaway is receiving. Bozo the Clown knows she is winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.

[@allyadelphine]

I agree with Alonzo :( The costumes and sets were beautiful, but the camera was just wrong... everywhere.

[@films5555]

Agreed. Hathaway was wonderful. Now, more than ever, media types have agendas. Anne is receiving great reviews and winning critic awards that can lead to an Oscar win. They don't want Anne Hathaway to win the Oscar. I find it funny that Schmoe Knows Movies, Chris Stuckmann, and other youtube critics are praising the performances of Hathaway and the other cast.

[@ThePaddy1122]

Totally agreed with matt (liked the beginning, particularly jackman being cast out and angry and hatheways singing) but after hatheway dies, seriously dragged.

[@delfra70]

It could indeed be, i'm just not a musical type of guy, that's all. Like i was saying i'm sure it will do well, it's already doing good numbers overseas from what i hear.

[@GigaBoost]

Great review! People who disagree are allowed to do so, it's a subjective review, they explained why they didn't like the movie, deal with it!

[@confucius12012]

Yeah, I'd stick with the 1998 film(non-musical) with Neeson, Rush and Danes. Surprised they didn't mention that film. I'd suggest watching that one before this one.

[@aothing]

Alonso is way over the top exactly in the way he critize movies. I've watch a lot of these reviews, and his performance is always the same, too big.

[@skybluejellybeans]

I am a seventeen year old Bostonian and have read it. It helped in terms of appreciating the plot. It also made it easier to be disappointed. whattheflick is a horrible representation of Americans. I'm sorry if you've had poor personal experiences with some of us.

[@AnonRulez]

Have you seen their Zero Dark Thirty or Django Unchained reviews? They averaged over 8 for both movies.

[@OLuckyMan1973]

This is the punishment we have to endure for the Academy giving Tom Hooper an Oscar over seasoned vets Christopher Nolan, Darren Aronofsky and David Fincher.

[@leqaf]

One thing I hate musicals is that actors are more concerned with the acting than with the singing so the music becomes unbearable, and that happened a lot in this movie. Sweeney Todd was at least fun to watch.

[@Lookklaus]

I'm a huge musical fan and was in Les Mis. I wasn't blown away. Believe me, it's possible.

[@HerrRoehrich]

Wow. Those guys are such cretins. I'm appalled. Horrible, horrible review. I disagree on every single criticism they bring up. Most of their issues aren't even with the movie, but with the musical itself, i.e. the length and the amount of misery. If you disliked that in the musical, how on earth can you expect to like the movie? Most of the actors performances were splendid, especially Enjorlas and Éponine really could sing. Crowe was a strange choice, but I for one thought he did a great job.

[@theyanglight]

I respect all opinions, but I still don't see the real reasons why they think this movie sucks. All I'm hearing is," I hate it, I hate it, please stop singing, arhh why did I go to see a movie musical?" As much as I like drama film, I am in love of Les Miserables as a musical. Critics can be subjective, but please stop using your personal taste to judge the film.

[@nutty007100]

Hey!! WwhatTheFlick becomes WhatTheFuck guys, what movie is actually your best of 2012 ?. Did you give it 10/10?.

[@arthereld]

Alonso. Yes, we're entitled to our opinions. And while I disagree with you about this movie, I'm not offended. Just confused as hell. You criticize the film for elements taken directly from the musical. "That's not how Victor Hugo wrote it", yeah but Schoneberg and Boubil did. Hooper didn't change much from the musical. The only thing new that the film offered was camera work (which was pretty basic other than the closeups) and different actors. I'm confused as you say you are a fan of the play.

[@futurestoryteller]

I think it's fair to be frustrated with people who review movies and don't really seem to always like them when they're made well. 4.2 could not possibly be a fair representation of this movie

[@dmcarefuldriver]

Based on the ratings - two giving it around a 2 and the others in the 6 range, I though't they'd do a 2 vs. 2 fight. Oh well - they're too nice to each other lol. I want to see them argue against each other more.

[@lulzychan]

These film critics have become so desensitized to movies that I don't think that they're even qualified to make film reviews anymore.

[@Demarcoa]

no worries, i was just teasing you. You're not wrong, that sometimes, they can be a little unnecessarily hard on films. My point was only that this is very subjective.

[@septogram7]

I knew that Russell Crowe was a BAD choice for Javert! The role should have gone to Gerard Butler, as he has already proven his singing voice and and incredible range in "The Phantom of the Opera." Javeert is my second favorite character, and to know going into the movie not to expect much from him is super disapointing. (In case anyone cares my favorite character is Eponine, so she better be good.)

[@aabram7737]

Well that's cool. Cause I've seen the stage production and this movie looked nothing like it or any other stage production I've ever seen. If you really want something to look like a stage production you should put it on the stage OR if you want to make a movie of an epic musical and story then play it like that. So the camera angles were the problem, especially all the zooming in of the face and the weird ways they moved the camera to make people look powerful or not. Have you seen the play?

[@MattCipolla]

The acting is fantastic, the music is amazing and the production value is very high. However, it all began to wear on me. The movie is over two and a half hours and by the dramatic third act, I wasn't into it anymore. I didn't care once I approached the one hour and 45 minute mark and therefore the climax had no effect on me. 6/10, meh, one thumb down, etc.

[@paperstarjar]

this isn't a new story. you can't spoil something that has existed for decades.

[@theguy134]

All of the theater majors at my college said it was not good. They said it was average at best

[@Pyr01]

why? Because you dont agree with them?

[@MaSteezynes]

Btw they're just giving the facts. If you like this movie just because its a "musical" and there's singing then that's fine. But if you look at it as a whole movie then you might have a different view. And don't say that you have no respect for them because they hate the movie. Have repeat for them because they're telling it like it is

[@bayleeroberts3285]

the only thing i agree with in this video is that Hugh Jackman ruined Bring him Home. otherwise i dont agree with anything

[@AnonRulez]

wow. did u watch the review? they stated many points as to why they liked or didn't like the film

[@BoringWhatElse]

This is probably the worst critical response I've heard from critics. This was neither professional or mature. Anne Hathaway's performance was amazing. Speaking as an Australian, it's not reflecting well on Americans. "Their voices sounded strained" they're also actors so they try show emotion into their acting. That's great if you found it bad, but the Oscars, Golden Globes and pretty much every award ceremony on Earth didn't.

[@septogram7]

I freakin' love this musical, so don't tear it up, please.

[@AnonRulez]

That film is gorgeous, but Anna's character can become insufferable to watch after awhile. I can see why some people do not like that film and the fact that it's been largely snubbed by the awards race.

[@infinteNparadise]

i just came here from spill.com where they gave this movie a full price, so hearing WTF's review is really shocking to me. but then again, they gave The Hobbit 5.5 out of ten, which is unfair 'cause the movie was great, so i shouldn't be so shocked, i think i'm gonna like Les Miserables.

[@McCartneyMadness1964]

i mean like he wanted you to be able to see the emotion in peoples faces instead of distracting the audience with a bunch of different angles.

[@xxFortunadoxx]

Not surprising. It's a foolish idea to try to encapsulate one of the longest novels ever made into a movie that doesn't crack 3 hours. Return of the King is a little over 600 pages and has a runtime of 3 hours 21 minutes. Les Miserables is almost 1500 pages and has a runtime of 2 hours 38 minutes. Les Miserables is one of the greatest novels of all time. There are so many film adaptations of this book and I wish they'd stop doing it. It just doesn't work. Read the book. It's enchanting.

[@OliviaHaruno]

I agree with Russel Crowe, but the rest..DISAGREE! I didn't expect them to sing every 5 seconds but I enjoyed the movie.

[@GnosticAtheist]

While I hated this movie, at least you sound like a normal human being. I have seen several movies the critics hated, but I never attacked the critic for his/her opinions, unlike most commenters here.

[@herduliekdemmudkipz]

A common belief is that people who don't like musicals are the ones that hate this movie. I love musicals and this movie was not enjoyable. This was an opera, with maybe a total of 5 spoken lines in 2.5 hours of movie. Only one song in the movie was great, far from enough to save it. I did dire laughing from the ker-splat! sound effect of Javert's suicide.

[@christianmarshall3439]

He carries the candlesticks around because they represent his salvation.

[@bartsimpson83]

(continued) However, I had a feeling it was gonna be "cool" to hate this movie, so you fans should expect the same level of idiocy that Star Wars fans have to put up with from the folks who bash the prequels because they're afraid to admit they liked it (you know who you are). Consider yourselves warned.

[@ldrocks66]

yeah, the movie is definitely not as good as the musical. but most of it was alright. the only things I had an issue with were Hugh Jackman's voice and the way they changed the order of the scenes/songs towards and into the second act, like putting on my own in act 1 sort of threw me off. But other than that the acting was great and I don't have a problem with the scenery or camera angles or anything. but I was literally flinching during Bring Him Home, ugh.

[@films5555]

Read Alonso's review on his website. Their is a difference between writing a professional review and writing a review that is self-serving. In this video, he is even more hateful, only because of the personal attacks he has received on his website.

[@mattbrown2190]

I completely agree, I hated it. Nothing compared to John Owen Jones on broadway

[@Ziggz47]

They made many points about why they did not like it....

[@BadGuyRants]

The "Bye" at the end was hilarious

[@GnosticAtheist]

Oh, don't get me wrong, if I see someone caring to the level of protectionism about a movie, I troll so hard its pathetic. So I would never call myself respectful. ;)

[@GnosticAtheist]

I am respectful to those who show respect, or simply does not think their opinion somehow is the divine rule. I guess, when it comes to free speech, I believe in an eye for an eye.

[@NathTMcC]

I disagree emphatically, this is one of the best , if not the best film of 2012. in my opinion.

[@guitarandukulele1996]

Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.

[@edwk5284]

Wow. I'm never listening to anything Alosno says about movies again. Hyperobole much? Worst movie of the year? Worse than Battleship? Twilight 4? Wrath of the Titans? Come on, I feel like you are putting more effort into sounding clever than actually providing good criticism. I can understand why many dislike the film. The film has flaws, but if you honestly consider it to be one of the absolute worst movies of the year, then I have no respect for you as a critic whatsoever.

[@TheSpiritOfTheTimes]

I loved the movie, love these guys too though, so why spit venom?

[@serenok]

Seems like the movie (and maybe the musical) lost the commentary of the original novel and instead opted for the dramatic.

[@wolfstar675]

They say the camera always felt in the wrong place do they even know about filmmaking? I doubt it.

[@ClydeNut]

+Enrique Godinez I doubt you do either, because this movie looked like ass.

[@wolfstar675]

FriedEagleMind That's ridiculous. We can complain about many things about that movie but not that it looked terrible because it didn't. If you are gonna criticize do it properly.

[@ClydeNut]

Enrique Godinez Les Miserables has some of the ugliest handheld I've ever seen in a mainstream film, Tom Hooper had no clue what he was doing with the camera and I've seen student films that have a firmer hand. It looked terrible.

[@DarinMichaelGrant]

Enrique's opinion (and mine and *many* other critic's) is that it looked great, actually. How about you learn to *accept* other people's opinions and realize that you are not right/wrong and we are not right/wrong. We are just different. Hence, *opinion*.

[@ClydeNut]

Darin Michael so if you're bitching to me about accepting other peoples' opinions, why do you have such a hard time accepting that I think this movie looks like shit? I never made a right/wrong dichotomy in my posts, grow the fuck up, stop putting words in my mouth, and learn to accept that some people don't like this TERRIBLE film.

[@veggiescrub]

I love 2 versions of the movie. Hated the musical. Simply didn't evoke any emotion. I was waiting to see if the movie version of the musical could bring back some of the motion. They said the first scene is him as a prisoner? That's stupid. A major part of the story is that he is arrested for stealing bread to feed his sister's family. Sounds like they did a horrible job with the movie, and I stick to the 2 versions I like.

[@Nancy3116]

You guys THIS IS A MUSICAL! It is based on THE MUSICAL. Of course there is going to be singing. I agree with ttaitt I lost respect for some of the reviewers. I don't think Les Miz is the best film of 2012, far from it but do your research. It is based on the musical, the producer of the musical is the producer of the movie as well. If you are going to complain, complain about the fact it was the producer Cameron Macintosh decision to ADAPT the musical into a film not the book. Lost respect.

[@PhantasmagoricSplend]

This movie was amazing. It had a lot of heart. And they liked the Lego movie over this?

[@GabrielaaCOLOMBIANA]

+Shannon Levy Haha Exactly! I thought Les Mis was stunningly portrayed both by Hopper and the Cast. But Lego over this?? that's quite comical...

[@Jayfeatherlovr]

I can accept opinions, but don't be disrespectful! Many, many, people adore this movie. I saw this on stage, but this movie was incredible, so I can't understand why it's so bad.