Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is on a quest of redemption. After being released from prison Jean with a little help is looking to be a good man and find his place in the world. He is however pursued relentlessly by lawful Javert (Russell Crowe) who looks to send Jean back to prison, his own personal hell. Jean takes care of Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) the daughter of Fantine (Anne Hathaway) in part due to a dying request. These actions will change the fates of many people.
Tom Hopper isn't a very good director. He's involved in often fine work, but his contribution is the weakest element of his films. He and cinematographer Danny Cohen used distracting close ups for most the film, showing the full set would have been a better option. It is the acting and production designs that make up for Hooper's inadequacy. Most of the actors do a fantastic job with their roles here. Hugh Jackman steps up and admirably shows the strength of Valjean as protagonist. Anne Hathaway is mostly marvelous. She steals the show and the heart wrenching "I Dreamed A Dream" but doesn't get "Fantine's Death"quite right. Eddie Redmayne sings so fantastically it makes up for Marius's shortcomings as a character (he nails "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"). Samantha Banks and Aaron Tveit don't shy away from loud vocals and are easily the most impressive in the voice department. Russell Crowe, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Helena Bonham Carter are the weak links in this cast, the Thenardier scenes don't provide the comic relief some claim is needed and don't come off as scummy as they should, Crowe seems too timid and barks his lines, but still does very well with "The Confrontation". Les Miserables isn't a great movie nor is the strongest musical in recent memory, but it does contain some lovely displays of talent by the cast and sometimes it was just enough for enjoyment and drama.
**1/2 out of ****
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