[grid monitor]

i saw it on stage in london last year with the fantastic black girl alexia khadime as eponine, and they have apparently given her a cameo in the film

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by duncann

I thought Samantha Barks was fantastic - there is some debate about the 'realistic' style of the singing generally but there's no argument about hers, she is terrific because no matter what she's doing in terms of the physical action, she can really carry the melody and sing through every note perfectly without gulping for air or stopping short. She also looked stunning at the premiere and when the principle cast left she alone got a great cheer from the rest of the bit-part cast in the audience - it's her first film but I doubt it will be her last, she looks like a star breaking through.

Eddie Redmayne is a great actor, I've seen almost everything he's done on TV and in film and he's on top form here. I was pleasantly surprised with his voice, though I don't think anyone will ever catch Michael Ball on Marius in terms of pure singing. Without giving anything away there's one bit where Eddie is just reacting to someone else, he doesn't sing or speak, and it's very powerful purely because of his subtle expressiveness. He lights up every scene he's in, he's perfectly cast.

Ahhh that's made me even more excited now, thank you! I've booked a ticket for 11th January, very impatient to see it now!

Originally Posted by grid monitor

i saw it on stage in london last year with the fantastic black girl alexia khadime as eponine, and they have apparently given her a cameo in the film

I never saw Alexia in Les Mis, and from videos I've seen I don't rate her On My Own, but she was a pretty good Elphaba in Wicked a few years ago.

According to IMDB she's in the ensemble in Lovely Ladies, so playing one of the prostitutes.

Many of the factory workers, prostitutes (and their customers), convicts, poor Parisians, student rebels and people in Thenardier's bar are played by Les Mis alumni and West End performers in general.

[tracystapes]

Sorry duncann, haha

I literally cannot hold out anymore for this movie (I know people will see, wait another month as you've gone this far) but I can't believe we get it later than Australia and America! I need to see it

[shelleyj89]

Great review OP, really can't wait to see it!

My favourite Valjean is Alfie Boe, but I'm not really one to compare. From what I've seen of Hugh Jackman in the trailer and some of the clips, it looks like he does a great job.

[tracystapes]

Something interested i've just noticed. On the 25th anniversary DVD of Les Mis, Samantha Barks plays Eponine so that is a slight insight to how she is in the movie.

Does anyone know if there is an audio CD available to buy of the 25th anniversary?

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by tracystapes

Something interested i've just noticed. On the 25th anniversary DVD of Les Mis, Samantha Barks plays Eponine so that is a slight insight to how she is in the movie.

I believe she's rethought the character again for the movie, so her 25th anniversary performance and movie performance won't be completely the same. At least in interviews she's talked a lot about all the extra details they added in so Eponine's not the exact same character as in the stage show.

Does anyone know if there is an audio CD available to buy of the 25th anniversary?

No, I don't think so, I believe the 25th anniversary recording is the cast who did the Barbican anniversary revival that year when there were 2 companies playing simultaneously in London for the anniversary.

[ImOnlyWee]

Awards won so far...

Les Mis...
National Board of Review Award for Best Cast
Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture
Satellite Award for Best Song
Satellite Award for Best Sound
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble

Anne Hathaway...
Boston Online Film Critics Association Award for Best
Supporting Actress
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
New York Film Critics Online Award for Best Supporting Actress
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting
Detroit Film Critics Society for Best Supporting Actress
Kansas City Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
Indiana Film Journalists Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress


Don't think any other actor has won an award yet....

[ChrissieAO]

Originally Posted by duncann

I don't think you'll get tired of it but I know what you mean. When it got to the big number at the end of Act 1 I suddenly realised it would be very unlikely they'd have an interval break and that to do the whole thing with no break is a LONG time - it's 3 hours of constant music and singing - there are 40 songs apparently, but it was fine.

I can't remember the last film I saw that had an interval. They used to have them back in the 1960s when I was a child! There was one in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang just as the car went over the cliff!

And in The Sound of Music the interval came when Maria dramatically leaves the ball through those huge doors after realising she is in love with Captain Von Trapp.

[Galinda]

Just got hold of the soundtrack.. can't wait for the film now!

[tracystapes]

Originally Posted by Galinda

Just got hold of the soundtrack.. can't wait for the film now!

Where did you get it from? It's not out in the UK until the 14th January (I have it on pre-order ) and I really want to hear it! Some american blog had a link to it but when I downloaded it, it was a virus!

[Mystical123]

I'm not going to bother buying the soundtrack I don't think, it doesn't have two of my favourite songs on it - Do You Hear the People Sing and A Little Fall of Rain. What's the piont in donig a soundtrack if you're not going to include 2 pretty important songs from the movie?!


There are a lot more clips from the movie coming out now - a full lenth At The End of the Day can be found online, and several clips of all the lead actors as well as several trailers. This new trailer is my favourite though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ10YRA3VKI

[RedSnapper]

Originally Posted by shelleyj89

My favourite Valjean is Alfie Boe, but I'm not really one to compare. .

Colm Wilkinson was in a much higher league imho.

[Galinda]

Originally Posted by RedSnapper

Colm Wilkinson was in a much higher league imho.

Alfie boe was all about hitting the notes his acting did nothing for me. Would loved to have seen colm. My favourite recent valjean has been Ramin karimloo, went in thinking he'd been miscast but I was so wrong. He was perfect, beautiful vocals and amazing acting. Had me crying at bits I hadn't before! Hope he goes back one day.

[Galinda]

Btw the theatre shop Dress Circle has the CD in

[tracystapes]

Originally Posted by Galinda

Btw the theatre shop Dress Circle has the CD in

Brilliant Just went on their online store and looks like their selling it early there too. I'm going to order it

[tracystapes]

Originally Posted by Galinda

Btw the theatre shop Dress Circle has the CD in

I just ordered it. Right old kerfuffle as I wanted to order it on express delivery (only £1.55!) but I accidently ordered it on standard (1.25 I think). But it was too late to alter it, i'm really hoping it arrives before December's up. It's been dispatched already though

[Moonbean]

I love Les Mis!!! Can't wait to see the film. Thankyou for the review, OP.

[dezire]

Originally Posted by Moonbean

I love Les Mis!!! Can't wait to see the film. Thankyou for the review, OP.

I used to know the director of Les Miz. Larry O'Connor.

[Kolin Klingon]

Originally Posted by ChrissieAO

And in The Sound of Music the interval came when Maria dramatically leaves the ball through those huge doors after realising she is in love with Captain Von Trapp.

And "The Towering Inferno" has an interval just as they are going down a stairwell and the ruptured gasline blows up!

I think it adds to the sense of theatre... the sense of occasion. But then I can remember when they had B movies as well.

[tracystapes]

It's out in America and apparently they love it. I am really excited for this film. Not been this excited over a movie in a long while.

[spendleb]

Originally Posted by Mystical123

I'm not going to bother buying the soundtrack I don't think, it doesn't have two of my favourite songs on it - Do You Hear the People Sing and A Little Fall of Rain. What's the piont in donig a soundtrack if you're not going to include 2 pretty important songs from the movie?!

I've heard a few rumours that they will eventually release the whole recording, I wonder if a 'highlights' CD was released to get the new song 'Suddenly' out there quickly for the Oscars?

[Moonbean]

How can they miss out Do You Hear the People Sing??!! It is the most important song in the show, IMO! That's what the whole show is about!

[Johnny Clay]

Originally Posted by tracystapes

It's out in America and apparently they love it.

Mixed notices, but a public thumbs up.

Opened at #1 on Christmas Day to an excellent $18m, ahead of Django Unchained ($15m) and Hobbit ($11m).

[Blah123]

The full version of I dreamed a dream is out on YouTube. Bloody feckin' hell. Hathaway owns it.

I can see her sweeping the 4 major awards this year - Oscars, GG, SAG and Bafta

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by spendleb

I've heard a few rumours that they will eventually release the whole recording, I wonder if a 'highlights' CD was released to get the new song 'Suddenly' out there quickly for the Oscars?

I didn't know that a soundtrack had to be commercially-released for the song to be eligible for the Oscars, I thought that only depended on the film being released on time.

I'm sure I will eventually get the soundtrack, but I'm not paying full price if it's not a complete one!

Originally Posted by Moonbean

How can they miss out Do You Hear the People Sing??!! It is the most important song in the show, IMO! That's what the whole show is about!

It's in the movie, just not on the currently-released soundtrack.