Les Misérables

I can safely say that I was not looking forward to going to see Les Misérables. But, like going to the dentist, it was somewhat of a necessity. So I bit the bullet and went along with a few friends, both of whom were more enthusiastic than me (not that that would have been difficult). To be fair, I had no idea what to expect: I haven't seen the stage musical, read the original book and, like most people, I can only sing the first line of 'Do You Hear The People Sing' before slipping into humming the tune. And my conclusions? Les Misérables is a cinematic assault – and a 2 hour 40 minute one at that...

There are no prizes for guessing what Les Misérables is about but for those who don't know the plot, the story is set in revolutionary France where Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert (Russell Crowe), agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's (Anne Hathaway) daughter and this fateful decision changes their lives forever. Looking back at the past sentence, you get an idea for the range of acting talent which is displayed in the film. Supporting cast members include Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter and Eddie Redmayne, all doing their own singing live on set (or, in Crowe's case, attempting to sing).

All of the performances are confident and accomplished, constructing characters which, at times, cease to be mere caricatures of the peasantry and become genuinely engaging and emotive. Anne Hathaway, on screen for only fifteen minutes, is staggeringly good and her rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream' may well win her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Jackman gives an equally impressive central performance and his physical transformation from gaunt and emaciated convict to powerful business man and father was very convincing. He wasn't half bad at singing either. In fact, I was very impressed by the authentic feel which singing live on set gave to the songs, most of which I'd never heard and – if I'm being brutally honest – don't have the wish to hear again.

Les Misérables is certainly an experience: the film, from the opening scene, immediately hits fifth gear and doesn't stop until the credits role. Its sweeping shots of Paris and its inhabitants, expertly conceived by director Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) open up the world and make it totally consuming and captivating. Hooper has really understood how to use cinematic devices to build upon the stage show and create an experience which would be impossible within a theatrical context. Hooper's revolutionary Paris is gritty, threatening, squalid and the attention to detail of the production design is first class. Placed alongside the performances and the technical aspects, Les Misérables certainly is an achievement of which to be proud.

Things weren't all rosy, however, and I did feel the film begin to drag in its third act. Maybe the singing had worn me down, maybe I was just wishing it was Mamma Mia! and was waiting for Valjean to break into dance. In short, I think it could have shaved off a few musical numbers which would have made the whole thing a bit more digestible. But perhaps this isn't the point.

Les Misérables is an experience, a full-on musical assault which takes no prisoners and demands that the audience go along with it. If you're a fan of the musical, you'll adore it. If you're not, it will most probably win you over. There's a lot to like, although its not perfect. But in the moments when it does work, it is simply brilliant. And that is why it gets four stars...

Clapperboard Reviews: * * * *