I saw it for the second time last night, I love the film and I wish I had the money to keep going back!
I had no idea Hugh Jackman had such a great, theatrical voice. He carried the film seemingly effortlessly. Anne Hathaway's performance as Fantine was stunning, she brought the most incredible emotional truth to the role and I really hope she gets an Oscar for it. Samantha Barks was also great, I am so happy she got the part in the film because I saw her in the stage show (just before Danielle Hope took over) and I love her voice.
Can't wait for the DVD, although we may have to wait until June given that its success so far will probably see it in cinemas another month
I really dont understand your point. Take after take is normal for film. You literally cant compare film with stage, it's like comparing art galleries of paintings with photographs. Singing take after take is completely gruelling , which is why I said you have to divorce the stage and film versions from each other.
I'd agree there's nothing like a live audience in a stage setting. Film is a totally different beast. Every flaw is magnified 100 times.
My point is that there is nothing special about having take after take till you get it right.
My point is that there is nothing special about having take after take till you get it right.
What was different about this film was that the singing was recorded as they were acting. Usually the singing is done in a recording studio separately and then dubbed onto the film afterwards.
So when you see Anne Hathaway singing on screen, she really is singing and it is being recorded at that moment, rather than miming!
What was different about this film was that the singing was recorded as they were acting. Usually the singing is done in a recording studio separately and then dubbed onto the film afterwards.
So when you see Anne Hathaway singing on screen, she really is singing and it is being recorded at that moment, rather than miming!
THAT is what is special about it.
If she got it right first time, I would be as impressed as I was with the finished product.
NB. Every time someone records a song, they are really singing.
I have never read the book or watched the musical but I watched the film last night and absolutely loved it!!!! I surprised myself by not crying,( I did have tears in my eyes at some points) and was very surprised that there was a round of applaud at the end of the film, first time that's happened when I've been to the cinema but I did join in!
I though it was fantastic, depressing yes, but so moving. Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman were amazing! I also thought Helen La Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen were marvellous. I thought Russell Crowe was ok but not great...although my friend thought he was great. I also thought the young Cosette was brilliant.
If she got it right first time, I would be as impressed as I was with the finished product.
NB. Every time someone records a song, they are really singing.
Yes, of course they are, but when it's recorded in a studio any rawness and flaws are edited out. Not the case with live camera recording.
It's not her job to get it right first time, it's her job to do it to the best of her ability take after take so they have plenty of options to choose from when putting the film together.
Prior to Tuesday I had never seen or heard the story of Les Mis, a few weeks ago the trailer captured my eyes but at the same time i was unsure if i would like it or understand the story.
But OMG
i pretty much held my emotions together apart from
I dreamed a dream
On My Own
Eponine dying she has become on eof my fave characters and samantha barks is amazing
then the last 10 minutes i was off had to hold my tears in though as i was on the verge of exploding in a deep cry in front of whole cinema
a funny moment happened in the cinema what happened was
Hugh Jackman was singing Bring Him Home.. then what happens a phone starts ringing in the cinema (someone near me thought it was part of film:o) Everybody started laughing before we settled down and carried on watching film. me and my mum then joked saying Taxi for Mr Jackman as it was apt as he was singing bring him home
want to see it again
also feel samantha barks and isabelle allen have been overlooked
I agree that Samantha Barks is the underrated star of this movie. I mean she's Eponine for cryin' out loud and a frickin' amazing one at that! That girl can sing!
To be honest she was probably great the first time and every other. They chose to use the 4th take.
I'm surprised you construed that as an insult to Anne Hathaway, I was only stating fact - her job is entirely different to someone playing the same role on stage.
I've stated plenty of times my very positive opinion on her performance, so please don't misconstrue my post
I agree that Samantha Barks is the underrated star of this movie. I mean she's Eponine for cryin' out loud and a frickin' amazing one at that! That girl can sing!
I think she was always going to be overlooked somewhat as she's not 'famous' in the sense that the rest are. I thought it was slightly unsavoury that she was the only main cast member seemingly not invited to the Golden Globes though (Russell Crowe is filming in Australia so that's why he wasn't there).
But at least she did get to do the press tour, and presumably will get to go to the BAFTAs at least - it would just be plain rude if she weren't invited to that.
Apparently its all singing for 2 and a half hours, rather than dialogue thrown in for good measure like Sweeney Todd, may give this a miss and wait for DVD.
Think I will too. Part of me really wants to see this as I've heard so much praise for this and the stage production. But at the same time I switched off Sweeny Todd after about 15 minutes as I couldn't stand them singing most lines!
I love musicals like 'top hat', 'Oliver!' 'The wizard of oz' and 'mamma mia' that have a few songs here and there but I'm not a fan of more stage musicals like 'cats' and 'les miserables' that seem to be made up entirely of singing! I really want to change my mind though
Admittedly this type of film isn't really my thing but I went along today to see it anyway.
15 minutes in I was so bored, the cinema was hot and I had trouble staying awake. The best bits were the scenes with Sacha Baron Cohen & Helena Bonham-Carter.
The others were all good in their roles of course, Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe - I don't mind musicals but when conversations are sung it all gets a bit grating. The audience loved it and applauded and cheered at the end. It was more of an endurance test for me though.
I saw it for the second time last night, I love the film and I wish I had the money to keep going back!
I had no idea Hugh Jackman had such a great, theatrical voice. He carried the film seemingly effortlessly. Anne Hathaway's performance as Fantine was stunning, she brought the most incredible emotional truth to the role and I really hope she gets an Oscar
Check out Oklahoma or The Boy From Oz on You Tube. His voice in Les Miz was about a tenth as good as in those. But more than made up for by the sheer fabulousness of his acting.
My point is that there is nothing special about having take after take till you get it right.
We're never going to agree, nor would any film director I suspect, There's a reason it's never been done before and musicals are prerecorded up to 3 months before production in a studio, leaving the miming actors no chance to actually act. This, for me is what makes it raw and special. But we'll leave it at that. I dont think I'll change your opinion to which you are more than entitled.:)
All I can say is I adore the film after a few viewings just as much as the stage version in very different ways. I will thoroughly enjoy my next visit to London (unless there's a fat Marius or, god forbid, Nick Jonas :eek: ) as well as my next scheduled visit to the cinema next week. But I wont compare them.
Check out Oklahoma or The Boy From Oz on You Tube. His voice in Les Miz was about a tenth as good as in those. But more than made up for by the sheer fabulousness of his acting.
Agree that Hugh was so good in Oklahoma but disagree about his acting in Les Miserables. I thought that was poor /hammy and over-emotional - sometimes singing should just reveal inner turmoil - not cause emotional incontinence. He also sounded like he had loose false teeth in Valjeans Soliloquy and seemed to suffer from asthma throughout (has no one taught him about breathing). Eddie Redmayne acted better (though I did not like his performance in the TV drama Bird Song) but he just had to do the compulsory teary slobberfest of emotions in Empty Chairs ... but even there he kept hitting the notes right unlike Hugh who in Valjeans Soliloquy had odd accents (from Dundee to Home counties in a line) creeping to try to distract from the ragged singing.
I saw it for the second time last night, I love the film and I wish I had the money to keep going back!
I had no idea Hugh Jackman had such a great, theatrical voice. He carried the film seemingly effortlessly. Anne Hathaway's performance as Fantine was stunning, she brought the most incredible emotional truth to the role and I really hope she gets an Oscar for it. Samantha Barks was also great, I am so happy she got the part in the film because I saw her in the stage show (just before Danielle Hope took over) and I love her voice.
Can't wait for the DVD, although we may have to wait until June given that its success so far will probably see it in cinemas another month
Pity that Amanda Seyfried has such a weedy
and warbling voice! Mind you the role of
Cosette is hardly more than fluff anyway!
Samantha Barks was very impressive I.M.O.
And then Sacha Baron-Cohen murdered
'Master of The House' which I normally take
to be one of the standout songs in the story!
Amazing movie, the emotion conveyed throughout is extremely powerful. Anne Hathaway stole the show for me. Her version of I Dreamed a Dream was soaked in emotion and was beautifully captured.
Weakest point - Russell Crowe. Felt he did not have a powerful enough voice and it distracted from the movie.
Just back WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally I get to fit the songs into the storyline and they make sense!
And what a storyline! Layers upon layers - Not a dry eye in the house (including me!)
Now for the trivial: Who the hell is that actor who plays Marius? I couldn't take my eyes off him! Freckles as well! Hubber Hubber!!!!! ooooooooooooooooo!!! How did I miss him before? (Scuttles off to look up his back catalogue (Ooo Mrs!))
I must now go and see the stage show as it will be interesting to see how they do that on a stage.
He's bloomin gorgeous isn't he? I must admit I have a bit of a thing for him after seeing him in Singbird on the TV
I really enjoyed the film. I thought hugh Hackman was brilliant... In fact I can't criticise any of the cast, I don't understand why Russell Crowe gets bad press....I thought he was very good and didn't have an issue with his singing.
I did like the red black song and the chap who sang that - I thought he was very good and that whole scene was excellent.
I'm surprised you construed that as an insult to Anne Hathaway, I was only stating fact - her job is entirely different to someone playing the same role on stage.
I've stated plenty of times my very positive opinion on her performance, so please don't misconstrue my post
I think she was always going to be overlooked somewhat as she's not 'famous' in the sense that the rest are. I thought it was slightly unsavoury that she was the only main cast member seemingly not invited to the Golden Globes though (Russell Crowe is filming in Australia so that's why he wasn't there).
But at least she did get to do the press tour, and presumably will get to go to the BAFTAs at least - it would just be plain rude if she weren't invited to that.
Samantha barks is in the oliver tour at the moment so that is why she wasent at the goldern gloves
Recorded live, not dubbed. The number of takes is irrelevant.
That's your opinion, I certainly feel it gives far more insight into the characters (Javert excepted, but that's Crowe's fault) than the stage show (which I love as well). And Anne Hathaway is every bit as good as Carol Reed was in Oliver.
I think you are allowing your enthusiasm to run away with you there
I think you are allowing your enthusiasm to run away with you there
I'm with Mystical123 on this - and although I'm a self confessed 'Les Mis nutter' it's not a case of blind enthusiasm. I love the film and can see it's weaknesses - and strengths. And Anne's performance is outstanding.
Comments
Pleasantly surprised by Amanda Seyfrid. What a voice!
I wept like a baby thought the film. Made me love Hugh Jackman even more! (Although I agree they didn't really age him...)
I had no idea Hugh Jackman had such a great, theatrical voice. He carried the film seemingly effortlessly. Anne Hathaway's performance as Fantine was stunning, she brought the most incredible emotional truth to the role and I really hope she gets an Oscar for it. Samantha Barks was also great, I am so happy she got the part in the film because I saw her in the stage show (just before Danielle Hope took over) and I love her voice.
Can't wait for the DVD, although we may have to wait until June given that its success so far will probably see it in cinemas another month
What was different about this film was that the singing was recorded as they were acting. Usually the singing is done in a recording studio separately and then dubbed onto the film afterwards.
So when you see Anne Hathaway singing on screen, she really is singing and it is being recorded at that moment, rather than miming!
THAT is what is special about it.
If she got it right first time, I would be as impressed as I was with the finished product.
NB. Every time someone records a song, they are really singing.
I though it was fantastic, depressing yes, but so moving. Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman were amazing! I also thought Helen La Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen were marvellous. I thought Russell Crowe was ok but not great...although my friend thought he was great. I also thought the young Cosette was brilliant.
I would certainly watch it again
The songs are amazing!!
Yes, of course they are, but when it's recorded in a studio any rawness and flaws are edited out. Not the case with live camera recording.
It's not her job to get it right first time, it's her job to do it to the best of her ability take after take so they have plenty of options to choose from when putting the film together.
To be honest she was probably great the first time and every other. They chose to use the 4th take.
sorry i am late in posting my review
Prior to Tuesday I had never seen or heard the story of Les Mis, a few weeks ago the trailer captured my eyes but at the same time i was unsure if i would like it or understand the story.
But OMG
i pretty much held my emotions together apart from
I dreamed a dream
On My Own
Eponine dying she has become on eof my fave characters and samantha barks is amazing
then the last 10 minutes i was off had to hold my tears in though as i was on the verge of exploding in a deep cry in front of whole cinema
a funny moment happened in the cinema what happened was
Hugh Jackman was singing Bring Him Home.. then what happens a phone starts ringing in the cinema (someone near me thought it was part of film:o) Everybody started laughing before we settled down and carried on watching film. me and my mum then joked saying Taxi for Mr Jackman as it was apt as he was singing bring him home
want to see it again
also feel samantha barks and isabelle allen have been overlooked
I'm surprised you construed that as an insult to Anne Hathaway, I was only stating fact - her job is entirely different to someone playing the same role on stage.
I've stated plenty of times my very positive opinion on her performance, so please don't misconstrue my post
I think she was always going to be overlooked somewhat as she's not 'famous' in the sense that the rest are. I thought it was slightly unsavoury that she was the only main cast member seemingly not invited to the Golden Globes though (Russell Crowe is filming in Australia so that's why he wasn't there).
But at least she did get to do the press tour, and presumably will get to go to the BAFTAs at least - it would just be plain rude if she weren't invited to that.
Think I will too. Part of me really wants to see this as I've heard so much praise for this and the stage production. But at the same time I switched off Sweeny Todd after about 15 minutes as I couldn't stand them singing most lines!
I love musicals like 'top hat', 'Oliver!' 'The wizard of oz' and 'mamma mia' that have a few songs here and there but I'm not a fan of more stage musicals like 'cats' and 'les miserables' that seem to be made up entirely of singing! I really want to change my mind though
15 minutes in I was so bored, the cinema was hot and I had trouble staying awake. The best bits were the scenes with Sacha Baron Cohen & Helena Bonham-Carter.
The others were all good in their roles of course, Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe - I don't mind musicals but when conversations are sung it all gets a bit grating. The audience loved it and applauded and cheered at the end. It was more of an endurance test for me though.
6/10 :yawn:
We're never going to agree, nor would any film director I suspect, There's a reason it's never been done before and musicals are prerecorded up to 3 months before production in a studio, leaving the miming actors no chance to actually act. This, for me is what makes it raw and special. But we'll leave it at that. I dont think I'll change your opinion to which you are more than entitled.:)
All I can say is I adore the film after a few viewings just as much as the stage version in very different ways. I will thoroughly enjoy my next visit to London (unless there's a fat Marius or, god forbid, Nick Jonas :eek: ) as well as my next scheduled visit to the cinema next week. But I wont compare them.
*signed: one very satisfied punter*
Agree that Hugh was so good in Oklahoma but disagree about his acting in Les Miserables. I thought that was poor /hammy and over-emotional - sometimes singing should just reveal inner turmoil - not cause emotional incontinence. He also sounded like he had loose false teeth in Valjeans Soliloquy and seemed to suffer from asthma throughout (has no one taught him about breathing). Eddie Redmayne acted better (though I did not like his performance in the TV drama Bird Song) but he just had to do the compulsory teary slobberfest of emotions in Empty Chairs ... but even there he kept hitting the notes right unlike Hugh who in Valjeans Soliloquy had odd accents (from Dundee to Home counties in a line) creeping to try to distract from the ragged singing.
I saw him a few years ago in this
http://youtu.be/SZbAKYQkP_Q
and warbling voice! Mind you the role of
Cosette is hardly more than fluff anyway!
Samantha Barks was very impressive I.M.O.
And then Sacha Baron-Cohen murdered
'Master of The House' which I normally take
to be one of the standout songs in the story!
Amazing movie, the emotion conveyed throughout is extremely powerful. Anne Hathaway stole the show for me. Her version of I Dreamed a Dream was soaked in emotion and was beautifully captured.
Weakest point - Russell Crowe. Felt he did not have a powerful enough voice and it distracted from the movie.
He's bloomin gorgeous isn't he? I must admit I have a bit of a thing for him after seeing him in Singbird on the TV
I did like the red black song and the chap who sang that - I thought he was very good and that whole scene was excellent.
I think you are allowing your enthusiasm to run away with you there
I'm with Mystical123 on this - and although I'm a self confessed 'Les Mis nutter' it's not a case of blind enthusiasm. I love the film and can see it's weaknesses - and strengths. And Anne's performance is outstanding.