[Mark.]

Originally Posted by ozark1

...abducted a minor (Cosette) etc.

That's a bit disingenuous; he essentially rescued Cosette from the mistreatment of the Thenardiers. In some ways, he acted as the social services of revolutionary France!

That's ultimately what earned him is redemption (i.e. the "good" that the Bishop mandated he must do in exchange for the silver).

[shelleyj89]

Originally Posted by Lady Spice

Also wanted to say that I am really happy that Les Mis won the Golden Globe, along with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. All very well deserved.

I can't see them getting the same success at the Oscars though, as all the Best Picture / Best Actor nominations are judged alongside one another, and not as a seperate "Musical/Comedy" or "Drama" category. As good as Jackman was, I can't see him beating Daniel Day Lewis - who was stellar in Lincoln, no matter how much I would like to see his endeavours rewarded.

Looks like it'll be between Les Mis and Argo, based on the two wins last night in their respective categories. But Hollywood does love a musical.....so you never know.

I don't think Anne Hathaway has anything to worry about though.

I'm glad it's been acknowledged at one awards ceremony, and a Goldon Globe win isn't too shabby! The whole cast can be happy that they have won something for the film.

I'd love Hugh to win the Oscar, but I'm also a big Joaquin Phoenix. I think he has less of a chance than Hugh as unfortunatley. I'd love it if it if it won Best Picture. Like you say, I don't think Anne has anything to worry about.

[marjangles]

Originally Posted by Lady Spice

Also wanted to say that I am really happy that Les Mis won the Golden Globe, along with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. All very well deserved.

I can't see them getting the same success at the Oscars though, as all the Best Picture / Best Actor nominations are judged alongside one another, and not as a seperate "Musical/Comedy" or "Drama" category. As good as Jackman was, I can't see him beating Daniel Day Lewis - who was stellar in Lincoln, no matter how much I would like to see his endeavours rewarded.

Looks like it'll be between Les Mis and Argo, based on the two wins last night in their respective categories. But Hollywood does love a musical.....so you never know.

I don't think Anne Hathaway has anything to worry about though.

I don't think the Academy were as sold on Argo as the Hollywood Foreign Press. Affleck has not been nominated for Best Director at the Oscars which is usually an indication that the film isn't going to win Best Picture. I think LIncoln is more likely to win at the Oscars. Plus the Golden Globes don't have a great track record for picking the eventual Oscar winner, when it comes to Best Picture anyway.

DDL will beat Hugh to the Oscar unless there's a massive upset like when Adrian Brody beat DDL back in 2002. I think that's unlikely this year although Hugh as winner of Best Actor in a comedy or musical is probably best placed to challenge him.

I hope you're right that Anne Hathaway walks away with the Oscar though, she was brilliant.

[nh3com]

Why are people calling this a musical as it sure doesn’t come under my definition of one, more opera as there is no spoken dialog wasn’t happy!

[Suze]

Originally Posted by nh3com

Why are people calling this a musical as it sure doesn’t come under my definition of one, more opera as there is no spoken dialog wasn’t happy!

Ah - unfortunately for you it does definitely come under the generally agreed definition of musical - and has done for the close to 30 years it has been running.

I hate being unpleasantly surprised at the cinema (I still have flashbacks to sitting through Happy Go Lucky) so I feel your pain - but I confess I'm always surprised by people who are surprised by the fact that it is sung through.

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by nh3com

Why are people calling this a musical as it sure doesn’t come under my definition of one, more opera as there is no spoken dialog wasn’t happy!

So it's been falsely advertised for 27 years then?

There's no requirement of spoken dialogue in a musical, and it's not hard to find out that Les Mis is, like many other musicals (Miss Saigon and Phantom to name but two), sung through.

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by Lady Spice

Also wanted to say that I am really happy that Les Mis won the Golden Globe, along with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. All very well deserved.

I can't see them getting the same success at the Oscars though, as all the Best Picture / Best Actor nominations are judged alongside one another, and not as a seperate "Musical/Comedy" or "Drama" category. As good as Jackman was, I can't see him beating Daniel Day Lewis - who was stellar in Lincoln, no matter how much I would like to see his endeavours rewarded.

Looks like it'll be between Les Mis and Argo, based on the two wins last night in their respective categories. But Hollywood does love a musical.....so you never know.

I don't think Anne Hathaway has anything to worry about though.

Yes, well done to them all at the Globes, so pleased to see them win the 3 categories I hoped they would


I think you're mostly right about the Oscars - Daniel Day-Lewis will probably win Best Actor. I wouldn't mind at all if Hugh Jackman won, especially seeing as DDL already has two! But I doubt he will.

I don't agree that Best Picture is between Les Mis and Argo though, in fact I think it's between Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook, both of which the Academy seem to have loved. I expect Lincoln will take it though. The Academy actually rarely loves a musical - only really Chicago and West Side Story!

The interesting one will be what way the Screen Actors Guild decide to go with their Outstanding Cast award, seeing as they don't give Best Picture....

[streetwise]

I've just got in from seeing Les Mis this afternoon. It lived up to all my expectatioins. I enjoyed all the performances. For me, they brought the musical to life.

Btw, the scenes at Marius's fathers house (the wedding etc) was fiilmed at Boughton House. A place I know well.

I can't recommend this movie enough.

[TardisSteve]

saw Les Misérables, thought it was fantastic, very well acted and the songs were wonderful

[Silver Tractor]

Originally Posted by Silver Tractor

My late wife and I went to Les Mis at the Cambridge Theatre on our 25th wedding anniversary in 1996.

We both loved the music from the show and seeing it on stage was an unforgettable experience.

I have the dvd of the Royal Albert Hall concert and the bluray of the more recent concert at the O2 - but (even though my wife died 14 years ago) I do find them upsetting to watch.

I have booked a ticket to see the movie next Monday lunchtime and am quite looking forward to it, apart from two things. Some of the singing that I have heard via the online trailers sounds very weak, which as a fan of the show worries me a bit.

I know this may sound wet and whimpy but as an old git I am also very worried about getting upset in the cinema.

For that reason I have decided to go the cinema on my todd but if I get through the experience without looking a pratt and if the singing is ok I will undoubtedly go again (and again and again and.........)!

Sorry to quote my earlier post, but I thought that I would update it.

I went and saw the movie at lunchtime today, feeling a bit apprehensive.

It was showing in the local multiplex at midday in one screen and twenty minutes later in the IMAX option.

I went to the earlier showing and the theatre was about 80% full and there was a queue for the IMAX.

From the very start of the movie right through to the end I was completely absorbed and moved (but not to tears!) by what I was watching.

The singing was excellent (not quite up to the standard of the stage production but appropriate for the movie format).

The screenplay was outstanding as were most of the performances (apart from Sacha Baron Cohen) and the plot was better explained than in the stage production.

Overall I thought it was a wonderful, unforgettable movie and I am going again soon (and not alone this time).

It was absolutely brilliant!!!!

[Jonwo]

Neither Ben Affleck or Tom Hooper were nominated for Best Director and rarely do films not nominated for Best Director win Best Film. As much as I loved Les Mis, I think Lincoln is more likely to win Best Film.

[nh3com]

Originally Posted by Suze

Ah - unfortunately for you it does definitely come under the generally agreed definition of musical - and has done for the close to 30 years it has been running.

I hate being unpleasantly surprised at the cinema (I still have flashbacks to sitting through Happy Go Lucky) so I feel your pain - but I confess I'm always surprised by people who are surprised by the fact that it is sung through.

dont worry will not happen again but there again i could have walked out and watched gangster squad but i stayed till the end just top see what happened..

[shelleyj89]

Originally Posted by Silver Tractor

Sorry to quote my earlier post, but I thought that I would update it.

I went and saw the movie at lunchtime today, feeling a bit apprehensive.

It was showing in the local multiplex at midday in one screen and twenty minutes later in the IMAX option.

I went to the earlier showing and the theatre was about 80% full and there was a queue for the IMAX.

From the very start of the movie right through to the end I was completely absorbed and moved (but not to tears!) by what I was watching.

The singing was excellent (not quite up to the standard of the stage production but appropriate for the movie format).

The screenplay was outstanding as were most of the performances (apart from Sacha Baron Cohen) and the plot was better explained than in the stage production.

Overall I thought it was a wonderful, unforgettable movie and I am going again soon (and not alone this time).

It was absolutely brilliant!!!!

Ah that's great! Glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping to go again this weekend

[ozark1]

Originally Posted by Mark.

That's a bit disingenuous; he essentially rescued Cosette from the mistreatment of the Thenardiers. In some ways, he acted as the social services of revolutionary France!

That's ultimately what earned him is redemption (i.e. the "good" that the Bishop mandated he must do in exchange for the silver).

Yes, he rescued Cosette - but it was reported as abduction. Valjean does the right thing, but breaks the law.

In the book, the 40 sous robbery is after the good bishop - that's the what have I done moment.

[BrokenArrow]

The whole talk-singy thing became a bit of a chore towards the end.

Wouldn't be so bad if there was a tune attached, but it was just bad.

[jlighthi]

Originally Posted by BrokenArrow

The whole talk-singy thing became a bit of a chore towards the end.

Wouldn't be so bad if there was a tune attached, but it was just bad.

That is your opinion. I thought there were only very short bits of talk-singy. Most of the time they were singing with beautiful melodies accompanying them. I thought it was terrific.That is my opinion. With stuff like this we aren't all going to agree. It is a shame that you obviously didn't enjoy it.

[jlighthi]

Originally Posted by nh3com

Why are people calling this a musical as it sure doesn’t come under my definition of one, more opera as there is no spoken dialog wasn’t happy!

I am a keen theatregoer and love musicals on stage and screen. I adored the film of Les Mis and had seen the stage version more than once. However I completely understand why you do not class this as a musical. It isn't like Oliver, My Fair Lady, Singin in the Rain, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Mama Mia, Mary Poppins, Cabaret etc. You are right -most musicals have dialogue and then people kind of just start singing for some reason. In a way this works better as I know people get infuriated when people burst into song for no reason. Les Mis is more like Opera and it is very operatic in some of the type of songs it includes.

I am not sure where this sung through type of musical started. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals are sung all the way through - eg Evita and Joseph - and all of ALW's since.

I think you make a good point and if you are not a big musical fan or very knowledgeable about them there is good reason to have felt disappointed. It's a shame because it is a wonderful show in my opinion.

[jaybastastic]

Originally Posted by BrokenArrow

The whole talk-singy thing became a bit of a chore towards the end.

Wouldn't be so bad if there was a tune attached, but it was just bad.

It requires some skill to to do recitative (recitativo, talk-singy whatever you call it) well and that is one of this problems with the film. No one in it does it well. Also I have never seen a stage version with so much crying in it. For a film to be so filled with the theatrical excess required in a large theatre shows a lack of understanding the intimate nature of film and especially the filmed close up where a single tear or even a eye tearing up is effective. The film is more theatrical that any theatrical version. Recitativo in the film just sounds too rushed to be sung properly which is plain wrong - it is meant to be musical but with the pattern or rhythm of normal speech and without the extended sung notes of the musical number. All that said the main problem with the film is not talk-singy but cry-singy/ sob-singing/ the blood-vessels in my forehead are about to burst singy and face dripping with tears and mucus-singy. They must have had extra drainage for the tears and snot on set. Did I see snot-wrangler in the credits?

[nh3com]

Originally Posted by jlighthi

I am a keen theatregoer and love musicals on stage and screen. I adored the film of Les Mis and had seen the stage version more than once. However I completely understand why you do not class this as a musical. It isn't like Oliver, My Fair Lady, Singin in the Rain, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Mama Mia, Mary Poppins, Cabaret etc. You are right -most musicals have dialogue and then people kind of just start singing for some reason. In a way this works better as I know people get infuriated when people burst into song for no reason. Les Mis is more like Opera and it is very operatic in some of the type of songs it includes.

I am not sure where this sung through type of musical started. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals are sung all the way through - eg Evita and Joseph - and all of ALW's since.

I think you make a good point and if you are not a big musical fan or very knowledgeable about them there is good reason to have felt disappointed. It's a shame because it is a wonderful show in my opinion.

well i watched it and enjoyed it but would have been better more old school musical then the rice/webber way. Might have found out why fantine died and why javert took a nose dive into the seine.

[ironjade]

Originally Posted by jlighthi

I am a keen theatregoer and love musicals on stage and screen. I adored the film of Les Mis and had seen the stage version more than once. However I completely understand why you do not class this as a musical. It isn't like Oliver, My Fair Lady, Singin in the Rain, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Mama Mia, Mary Poppins, Cabaret etc. You are right -most musicals have dialogue and then people kind of just start singing for some reason. In a way this works better as I know people get infuriated when people burst into song for no reason. Les Mis is more like Opera and it is very operatic in some of the type of songs it includes.

I am not sure where this sung through type of musical started. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals are sung all the way through - eg Evita and Joseph - and all of ALW's since.

I think you make a good point and if you are not a big musical fan or very knowledgeable about them there is good reason to have felt disappointed. It's a shame because it is a wonderful show in my opinion.

Evita, Joseph, JCS, etc., are operas, rock operas to be exact.
Les Miserables is also an opera but people don't like operas as mass entertainment so it's safer to call them musicals.

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by nh3com

well i watched it and enjoyed it but would have been better more old school musical then the rice/webber way. Might have found out why fantine died and why javert took a nose dive into the seine.

Fantine died from illness/general malnutrition/sexually-transmitted diseases, there's no cause of death ever specified in the musical (not sure about the book) but it's not hard to pick up the implication.

Javert's suicide on the other hand, is usually clear - it's because his conception of good and bad is very much one or the other - to him Valjean is a bad man because he's been a convict, and he can't get his head around the fact that Valjean ends up doing so much good and is willing to sacrifice himself for others. That's usually clear in the musical, but Crowe completely failed to give Javert enough characterisation to make that point.

[tracystapes]

Does anyone know the box offices figures for it?

[Kolin Klingon]

Originally Posted by Jonwo

Neither Ben Affleck or Tom Hooper were nominated for Best Director and rarely do films not nominated for Best Director win Best Film. As much as I loved Les Mis, I think Lincoln is more likely to win Best Film.

You mean that an American directed, American film about the most famous American President might win the biggest American film award and not the British one?

[Kolin Klingon]

Originally Posted by ironjade

Evita, Joseph, JCS, etc., are operas, rock operas to be exact.
Les Miserables is also an opera but people don't like operas as mass entertainment so it's safer to call them musicals.

The fact of the matter is the "Sung-Through Musical" is a relatively modern term, and yes they are Operas as there is no singing. That is the correct term.

However, when they started doing these no speaking things they didn't want them compared or mistaken for (grand) Opera and so the new "Sung-Through Musical" term was invented.

Personally I see them as their old correct term; Operas. I also like Grand Opera and so seeing something with no speaking and understanding what recitative is, then a 'musical' with no speaking is easy for me to cope with.

Then we have Operettas! (Put on his Modern Major General's hat)

[Stansfield]

Originally Posted by tracystapes

Does anyone know the box offices figures for it?

It's done good....

Les Misérables has recorded Universal’s biggest ever three-day opening in the UK at non-final $13.1m (£8.1m), which is also the biggest for producer Working Title and the biggest ever opening for a musical in the UK.

Worldwide: $233,823,185