[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by SCD-Observer

* Towards the end, the bishop welcomed Valjean to the other world, the stage version I recalled seeing Fantine and Eponine as ghosts, but that doesn't make sense because Valjean in the musical never intearacted with Epoinine, so seeing the ghosts of Fantine and the bishop make perfect sense.

He does briefly interact with Eponine in the stage show as she delivers the letter from Marius to Cosette that Valjean intercepts (which is done by Gavroche in the book and movie). And presumably whoever plays the Bishop in the stage show has by that point changed costume to play one of the men on the barricade, so having the Bishop return would be probably be a logistical headache/impossibility on stage. It does make more sense to have him there in the movie though.

However, I don't understand why the director used the take when Hugh's Valjean seemed to have made an obvious grammatical mistake: On his death, he sang, "On this page, I write my last confession" to Cosette while handing her the letter. I thought it should be "I wrote my last confession"? Why did they change it? Or was it just a slip from Hugh. If so, why did Hooper use that version?

It's 'I write my last confession' in the stage version as well.

There were far worse grammatical issues - Hugh Jackman messing up "I run a business of repute, I am the mayor of this town" being the most glaring one for me.

Originally Posted by guestofseth

In her case I don't think it has helped that both Fantine and Eponine are supporting roles, so that the attention was always going to be drawn to one instead of both. If one of the roles, Fantine's, had been made more of a leading role, then I think Samantha Barks would have got more attention and possibly more awards.

As for Eddie Redmayne I'm not sure why he's been ignored, like Hugh Jackman there was some flaws in his performance but again I put that down to direction, overall he was great. It's not like he hasn't been recognized in the US before, he won a Tony award a few years ago for Red.

As someone has said you have to have the right people behind you as well as a good performance to make an impact in awards season.

I agree with all of that, and I think it's a huge shame that Samantha hasn't got a bit more recognition, but it was inevitable. Fantine could never be made into a main part.

Eddie Redmayne was a few critics' outside pick for Supporting Actor nominations, but sadly too many repeat nominees were chosen instead.

Originally Posted by The Fozzmeister

most of the really emotional lines that should be belted out were reduced to either speaking or whispers.

There's no such thing as 'should have been belted out' - just because they're done that way on stage (often necessarily, as Sam Barks has said in a few interviews, to reach the back of the theatre) doesn't mean that's the 'correct' way to do it, or that there even is a correct way. A lot more subtlety is possible on camera and it would have made no sense at all for the characters to just stand there belting.

The movie is not a carbon copy of the stage show, anyone watching it thinking it is will inevitably be disappointed. Take it isolation for what it is, and it's a different matter entirely.

[guestofseth]

Originally Posted by SCD-Observer

Can't wait for the director's cut of the film. I believe the prologue of Eponine's On My Own would have been included in it. Also, Drink With Me would be longer. And Dong eat Dog would be in there too among other interesting historical and details they added into the film not present in the original stage musical...

I'm hoping the full A Little Fall of Rain will be included, if a director's cut is released.

[tracystapes]

There were numerous scenes *apparently* filmed that didn't make the movie

-The intro to 'On My Own'
-Extended (or full) 'A Little Fall Of Rain'
-Fantine's death (extended version)

[Kolin Klingon]

"On this page, I write my last confession"

I see no grammatical mistake in that at all. Yes in modern day speech it is, but this is old world times and also poetic. Anything goes! It's just a declaration "On this page, I write my last confession"

It's like starting a book "In this book, I write of many things..." Just poetic meter as to be reading the book it has already been written.

[Bluray]

Let it be known that I was very apprehensive about Les Mis and have felt like that for a long time. I just never "got it", the stage musical had this weird boy/girl child for its promotional poster and all images from it made it look so dark and serious. If I see a musical I want Julie Andrews running around an alpine mountain top or a flying car that makes a funny noise.

Anyway the film version is here and if it weren't for the better half wanting to see I'd have probably never bothered.

I grimaced through the first 15 minutes as I struggled to make head or tail of what was being sung - seriously, could you tell what any of those words were?
Enter Anne Hathaway who somehow totally lifted the film up a few notches. My attention was sparked, she gave a world-shattering performance of I Dreamed A Dream that was truly the most emotional thing I've experienced for some time.....and then she ****ING DIES!!!!!!!!!
Are you kidding me??????

My heart sank, I had another two hours of this to get through without the one thing that would've made it bearable. I'll give it its due, there were some good things to come. I enjoyed Helena B-C and Sasha B-C in their main appearance, Samantha Barks was a p,erasure to watch but just what is it about this Eddie Redmayne guy? Because I'm just not seeing it, he just lacks something that would engage me and thrill me. He just comes across a posh drama school totty...very dull, Amanda Seyfried seemed like she walked in from the set of another musical about yodelling.

Well, about 5 hours later I felt a climax building but alas.....no. There was more facing off to be done between a good Hugh Jackman and a passable Russell Crowe. One of you just kill the other for Christ sake and be done with it, oh hang on Russell is a suicidal wimp after all.

By the wedding scene that was totally undermined by the unnecessary reappearance of Sasha and Helena, we were flung full on at a snails pace towards the church set emotional finale which resembeled the last moments of Return of the Jedi but with lots of candles.

And that was that, a big strong stage production picked up and slapped on the silver screen for us. Not awful, but not great....

Les Marmite!
Love it or hate it!

[SULLA]

Originally Posted by gladiator18

Ok ive seen this. Before you wonder why i went to see this film, my gf wanted to watch it. I had no idea what it was about but only that it was a musical so basically i expected a movie with a few songs in it. What transpired was me sitting there for 3 hrs wondering when they were going to stop singing and get on with the film. Had no idea they were going to sing every line lol, so i couldnt take the film seriously. I found it boring and because of the constant singing very annoying

Its a shame though cause the first ten seconds i was like woah this is gonna be good, then he started singing and never stopped. My gf was crying, but she wasnt the only one, i could see the ppl in front of us crying there eyes out lol for whatever reason, there was nothing to cry at.

If i hadnt had my gf with me id have left within 20 minutes max.
I think i wouldve enjoyed the film if they had actually spoke though

I shouldve just stuck to my guns and watched django unchained, a proper film

We who are about to moan salute you

Originally Posted by tracystapes

There were numerous scenes *apparently* filmed that didn't make the movie

-The intro to 'On My Own'
-Extended (or full) 'A Little Fall Of Rain'
-Fantine's death (extended version)

I found this disappointing.

[gilesb]

I thought it was good and Sam Barks was brilliant, hope she gets some recognition and goes on to even bigger things.

The character of Cosette still bores me.

However my biggest downside was "Master of the house" it was dreadfully dull in the film, when on the stage it is usually a stand out song with loads of comedy. In the film it seemed terribly muted and both AliG and Carter seem to underplay the song and certainly dont seem to go for the comedy of the song. Disappointing.

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by tracystapes

There were numerous scenes *apparently* filmed that didn't make the movie

-The intro to 'On My Own'
-Extended (or full) 'A Little Fall Of Rain'
-Fantine's death (extended version)

I'd have gladly had all of those in the movie at the expense of the over-long Solliloquy or part of Stars!

[fredster]

Originally Posted by SCD-Observer

Haven't the time to read through the pages of comments in this thread, but I am glad to read now that people, like me, dislike (rather intensely) Hugh's version of Bring Him Home.

But I suspect it's Tom Hooper's fault here. I am sure, in his umpteenth take on the song, there must some he sang it like a quiet plea/prayer to God, and some where he screams and shouts. I mean, how can the characters (Marius, the students sleeping) possibly not be woken up by his loud entreaty??? I blame this almost entirely on the director for picking a version, apparently for the sake of being different from the soft, pensive and heart-breaking intercession song that made this solo so famous world over...

I saw Colm Wilkinson as Valjean, his" Bring him " was wonderful'
I have just brought the film track and have to say was a little disappointed, Russel Crowe was poor and so was Helena Bonham Carter. Maybe on the big screen they were better?
I got the CD from amazon, and for £10 got the original stage version as well. No comparison. The film track does not have all the songs.

[Kolin Klingon]

"By the wedding scene that was totally undermined by the unnecessary reappearance of Sasha and Helena"

It was very necessary for the plotline so that Sasha could tell drop dead gorg Eddie that Hugh had dragged him through shit to save his life!

[The Fozzmeister]

Originally Posted by Mystical123

There's no such thing as 'should have been belted out' - just because they're done that way on stage (often necessarily, as Sam Barks has said in a few interviews, to reach the back of the theatre) doesn't mean that's the 'correct' way to do it, or that there even is a correct way. A lot more subtlety is possible on camera and it would have made no sense at all for the characters to just stand there belting.

The movie is not a carbon copy of the stage show, anyone watching it thinking it is will inevitably be disappointed. Take it isolation for what it is, and it's a different matter entirely.

OK, well I didn't think I needed to, but I will add that that, quite clearly, is my opinion.

To me, the emotion of the songs was lost due to the decision to make them speak-sung. Not saying people can't enjoy or that it's not the 'correct' way to do it, just that I thought it made the songs less powerful and, as a result, inferior to other versions.

[Lou Kelly]

Loved it. LOVED IT! Prefer the stage show but still loved this. Very nice to see Colm Wilkinson as The Bishop.

Can't add much to what's already been said really. Anne Hathaway absolutely nailed it as Fantine; she really blew me away. Loved Eddie Redmayne as Marius too. Felt the pain of Samantha Barks's Eponine and was very impressed with Hugh Jackman's portrayal of Valjean (although I found him a bit warbling in parts!)

The only ones I didn't rate much were Baron Cohen and Bonham Carter as the Thénardiers - very disappointing to say the least. Why did she choose to deliver her lines in that manner? I wonder. Not enough disappointment to spoil the film though.

9/10 from me!

[SCD-Observer]

Originally Posted by Bluray

but just what is it about this Eddie Redmayne guy? Because I'm just not seeing it, he just lacks something that would engage me and thrill me. He just comes across a posh drama school totty...very dull,

Hate to disappoint you, Eddie is NOT drama school trained.

Try to get the film Hick, and you'll see him in a different light. He did a cracking Texan accent. If you can get hold of Pillars on the Earth, a Canadian production apparently, in it Eddie was red hair. He was not bad in it as well. My Week with Marilyn was quite good too.

I liked Birdsong, but I understand when it was shown by the BBC, a lot of people panned it.

[Bluray]

Originally Posted by SCD-Observer

Hate to disappoint you, Eddie is NOT drama school trained.

Try to get the film Hick, and you'll see him in a different light. He did a cracking Texan accent. If you can get hold of Pillars on the Earth, a Canadian production apparently, in it Eddie was red hair. He was not bad in it as well. My Week with Marilyn was quite good too.

I liked Birdsong, but I understand when it was shown by the BBC, a lot of people panned it.

I said he comes across as drama school....not he was. I've seen My Week With Marilyn and found him dull in that too.
He's obviously someone I'm not going to take to.

[Kolin Klingon]

Originally Posted by The Fozzmeister

OK, well I didn't think I needed to, but I will add that that, quite clearly, is my opinion.

To me, the emotion of the songs was lost due to the decision to make them speak-sung. Not saying people can't enjoy or that it's not the 'correct' way to do it, just that I thought it made the songs less powerful and, as a result, inferior to other versions.

That's how it was written and always meant to be! (and hardly unique!)

What is this hang up that people, who haven't got a clue about musical theatre, have with it all being sung. - Take the knicker elastic out and open your minds to something above pretty musical crap for kiddies. So they didn't all dance off over the mountains in a flying car beyond the rainbow and your kids won't like it - GOOD! It will keep the terminally uneducated out of classy productions.

Education in what people are posting about and that thinking that "It's my view/opinion" makes what they post have some sort of validity.

[thenetworkbabe]

Originally Posted by Kolin Klingon

That has always been the case with musicals and opera - Not good to ask too many questions as the plot doesn't hold much water. Yesterday I saw a funny youtube video on some of the very convenient happenings in Les Mis. They mostly revolved around the fact that Marius and Cosett/Jean Valjean have hardly even met, let alone spent a day down the pub together and here they all are shouting about their undying love and hopes for each other.

It's like Mimi dying of consumption (a lung disease) in "La Boheme" and then spends a whole Act doing that singing her head off.

Or the fact that the lead role in Madam Butterfly is supposed to be a pretty petite little thing and yet is always played by a big battleaxe of a woman as that is what is needed to sing the demanding part.

All must be taken with a pinch of salt and just enjoyed instead of analysed too much.

The Cosette problem is only there in most stage/film incarnations because its played that a passive, inexperienced, but beautiful and genteel Cosette, and a manly, pretty, but gentle Marius is just what each wants - and its therefore love at first sight. It can just work if they can play the first look scene right. Its far stronger with a more assertive Cosette out to move on and get her man - but only one recent stage Cosette has been able to play that.

There's nothing wrong with the characterisation in Les MIs. It depends on what the cast and direction is like. The best casts fill in the details even where nothing is written so you will even see how everyone on the barricade relates to Eponine or Gavroche being shot. Many people don't see the detail because they are on a first viewing trying to keep up with the main story or they buy cheap tickets where you need a telescope to see the acting properly. It can be done though and good casts do it.

[Bluray]

Originally Posted by Kolin Klingon

That's how it was written and always meant to be! (and hardly unique!)

What is this hang up that people, who haven't got a clue about musical theatre, have with it all being sung. - Take the knicker elastic out and open your minds to something above pretty musical crap for kiddies. So they didn't all dance off over the mountains in a flying car beyond the rainbow and your kids won't like it - GOOD! It will keep the terminally uneducated out of classy productions.

Education in what people are posting about and that thinking that "It's my view/opinion" makes what they post have some sort of validity

So if people don't like the constant sung/stage style they have closed minds and are uneducated?
How sanctimonious and supercilious of you. So you consider yourself classy because you like grown up musicals.
Someone with real class wonder make such a stupid comment.

Personally I don't like the fact that I hear a good song and want to "soak up" that song but there's no time for that because you're thrown straight into another song.

I saw Sweeney Todd in London recently which was massively better than this.

[Kolin Klingon]

Originally Posted by thenetworkbabe

The Cosette problem is only there in most stage/film incarnations because its played that a passive, inexperienced, but beautiful and genteel Cosette, and a manly, pretty, but gentle Marius is just what each wants - and its therefore love at first sight. It can just work if they can play the first look scene right. Its far stronger with a more assertive Cosette out to move on and get her man - but only one recent stage Cosette has been able to play that.

This is were I think it worked in the film as opposed to the Michael Ball clips I have seen. I might be wrong but it looks like Michael Ball just played it as a wet drip (Which may have been how he was directed to play it) but for me, Eddie nailed it in the 'love at first sight' role.

[Kolin Klingon]

Originally Posted by Bluray

So if people don't like the constant sung/stage style they have closed minds and are uneducated?

In Musical Theatre yes.

And it's not like it's a secret or the only musical ever been done like that, so if people watch this, are surprised then they are uneducated in the finer points of musical theatre.

Those are the fact. If you want to plough on in ignorance please feel free.

Les Mis like MANY musicals is 'sung-through' if you don't like that - Don't go and see it.

It's really is like bleating sheep who want to find something to complain about and fail to see it's only their ignorance that they are highlighting.

I'm going to see Swan Lake tomorrow because I can't stand Ballet!

[Bluray]

Originally Posted by Kolin Klingon

In Musical Theatre yes.

And it's not like it's a secret or the only musical ever been done like that, so if people watch this, are surprised then they are uneducated in the finer points of musical theatre.

Those are the fact. If you want to plough on in ignorance please feel free.

Les Mis like MANY musicals is 'sung-through' if you don't like that - Don't go and see it.

It's really is like bleating sheep who want to find something to complain about and fail to see it's only their ignorance that they are highlighting.

I'm going to see Swan Lake tomorrow because I can't stand Ballet!

Well if that's Musical Theatre maybe it should remain in the theatre and not attempt to transfer to the silver screen.

It sounds to me like you just can't handle people disliking something you obviously love.

You're coming across as a complete snob and very unlikable - as is the norm for people who believe they're classier and more educated than others.

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by Bluray

So if people don't like the constant sung/stage style they have closed minds and are uneducated?.

No, of course not, but in my opinion people who are surprised it is sung through have no-one but themselves to blame, it's not hard to find out that a musical doesn't have to have dialogue. And it's equally easy to find out that Les Mis has been a sung-through musical for 28 years.

Everyone's perfectly entitled to dislike the fact that it's sung through, but it was never going to be anything else, so if someone was unprepared for that when they went to see it it's their own fault.

[Bluray]

Originally Posted by Mystical123

No, of course not, but in my opinion people who are surprised it is sung through have no-one but themselves to blame, it's not hard to find out that a musical doesn't have to have dialogue. And it's equally easy to find out that Les Mis has been a sung-through musical for 28 years.

Everyone's perfectly entitled to dislike the fact that it's sung through, but it was never going to be anything else, so if someone was unprepared for that when they went to see it it's their own fault.

No one but themselves to blame?????

Why would anyone attempt to find out.

This film adaptation is sold to the masses as a musical, nothing more - nothing less.
If you classy people know its all sung then that's bully for you. There's no law saying you should do research before seeing a film, if someone hears an interview with Hugh Jackman on the radio discussing the new musical he's in then who is to blame if that person takes him at his word and goes to the cinema to see it.

[Gellymiss]

Originally Posted by Kolin Klingon

This is were I think it worked in the film as opposed to the Michael Ball clips I have seen. I might be wrong but it looks like Michael Ball just played it as a wet drip (Which may have been how he was directed to play it) but for me, Eddie nailed it in the 'love at first sight' role.

I can find very few clips of Michael Ball from the original production, though obviously the 10th anniversary concert is easy to access. Where are you seeing clips from the original?

[vladivarvixen]

Originally Posted by tracystapes

There were numerous scenes *apparently* filmed that didn't make the movie

-The intro to 'On My Own'
-Extended (or full) 'A Little Fall Of Rain'
-Fantine's death (extended version)

Right no " little fall of rain", I'm not going to see it.

[welwynrose]

People are surprised there's no spoken dialogue in Les Mis - where have they been for the last 20+ years