1. I'm a sucker for musical-movies (i.e. Sweeney Todd, Rent, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Hairspray)
2. I'm a major Hugh Jackman fan
When advertisements came out for this movie, it had slipped my mind that a movie version of the epic classic had already come out previously (starring Liam Neeson, Uma Thurman and Geoffrey Rush) in the late 90's. I never had the chance to watch that. Admittedly, I never picked up the book due to its daunting thickness as a literary work. I didn't have the privilege of others to have to read it, and somehow I regret it.
But for me that doesn't really matter. It helps me become unbiased and critique it as an art piece than an actual adaptation. I had the privilege of listening to some of the tracks included in the soundtrack prior to watching the movie, and I had chills hearing some of them, notably praising one particular actor I had not known to have a smooth baritone voice. Yes, I'm referring to Russell Crowe. This Maximus who portrayed Javert surprised me vocally, but could not impress me more in his portrayal of the pursuing a bringer of the law. Despite all the bashing against him, I think he did a swell job.
Another of the standouts for me was, of course, Anne Hathaway's Fantine. I would be lying if I said I didn't get chills seeing the desperation and distress she was conveying, and I think I felt the breath knocked out of me when she sang I Dreamed a Dream. Kudos to her, and much more so for winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for it.
And of course, there's Hugh Jackman. Hands down, he made the perfect Jean Valjean. Pair that with the fact that he sings so effortlessly, emotes so naturally, it would seem as if he internalized with the character. I remember hearing him portraying Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz, and this project, for him, just fit something he could not be more perfect and more comfortable with. When Broadway meets Hollywood.
Others include, of course, Sacha Boron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the quirky duo of Mr and Mrs. Thenardier. Their quirkiness ooze the weirdness and silliness resonated by their characters they could not have fit them any better.
Overall, it was an ensemble cast that exceeded all expectations. Every scene kept you on the edge of your seats and challenged your tears to fall at every turn. In summary, I'd like to share the new synopsis from Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway presenting their movie at the SAG-AFTRA Awards:
"Wolverine is being chased by Gladiator, Catwoman gets knocked up and for some ungodly reason goes to see Bellatrix Lestrange from Harry Potter and Borat. Then Wolverine agrees to raise Catwoman's baby, and she grows up to star in Mamma Mia!"
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