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``Les Miserables'' is like a perfectly respectable Classics Illustrated version of the Victor Hugo novel. It contains the moments of high drama, clearly outlines all the motivations, is easy to follow and lacks only passion. A story filled with outrage and idealism becomes somehow merely picturesque. Liam Neeson stars as Jean Valjean, and the movie makes its style clear in an early scene, where he stands, homeless and hungry, at the door of a bishop, and says, ``I am a convict. My name is Jean Valjean. I spent 19 years at hard labor. On my passport I am identified as a thief.'' And so on. ``I know who you are,'' replies the bishop, but not before the audience has been spoon-fed its briefing. Valjean is taken in, fed and sheltered, and tries to steal the bishop's silver. In one of the most famous episodes from Hugo's novel, the bishop tells the police he gave the tramp the silver, and later tells Valjean: ``I've ransomed you from fear and hatred and now I give you back to God.'' There was a similar scene in Claude Lelouch's 1995 ``Les Miserables,'' which intercut passages from the novel with a story set during World War II; it was touching, but this version feels more like a morality play. Valjean sells the silver, gets a job in a provincial factory and uses the nest egg to buy the factory. As we rejoin him some years later, he is the local mayor, respectable and beloved, trying to teach himself to read and write. Then fate re-enters his life in the person of Inspector Javert (Geoffrey Rush), a police official who recognizes him from his years at hard labor and wants to expose him: In this world, if you once do something wrong, you are banished forever from the sight of those lucky enough not to have been caught. Consider, in the same light, poor Fantine (Uma Thurman), fired from the factory and forced into prostitution because it is discovered she has a child out of wedlock. Valjean discovers her plight (he was unaware of the firing), nurses her through a fatal illness and promises to care for the child. Thurman's performance is the best element of the movie. With the unyielding Javert forever at his back, Valjean takes his money and flees to Paris, taking refuge in a convent he had once (foresightedly) given money to. There he and the child, Cosette, spend 10 years. Then Cosette, now a young woman played by Claire Danes, yearns for freedom; Valjean, against his better wishes, takes a house for them. Cosette falls for the fiery radical Marius (Hans Matheson), who is being tailed by the police, which puts Javert once more onto the trail of poor Valjean. Javert is the kind of man who can say with his dying breath, ``I've tried to lead my life without breaking a single rule.'' He means it, and will never cease his pursuit of Valjean, even though the other man, as mayor, spared his job: ``I order you to forgive yourself.'' As Javert pursues his vendetta against a man who has become kind and useful, Marius leads the mobs to the barricades, which look a lot here as they do in the stage musical. That musical, by the way, is a long time coming. This is the second movie made of ``Les Mis'' during a decade when the ``musical version'' has been promised annually. There is, I think, an obvious person to direct it: Alan Parker, whose ``Evita'' and ``Pink Floyd the Wall'' show he is one of the few modern filmmakers who understands musicals.Read full review
Fantastic movie with some real acting, especially Liam Neeson who makes it real. The movie setting was excellent and the characters played convincing roles. A lot of deep thought and symbolism allows one to compare and contrast that era with this and the behavioral image of mankind. An emotional movie to watch again.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Thought this was the musical. It isn't. This is the straight story by Victor Hugo. It's really well done. It follows the written story. Excellent photography, sets and settings, flawless acting and great background incidental musical score. This story is a classic for a reason. It's well worth the watch. Great to have something well thought out and so well done. There are even a few explosions during the revolution street fighting scenes for the action-adventure fans. I got this by mistake and surely got a better film for it...happy accident.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This has to be one of the best books ever written; this version of the book / movie is the best adaptation I have seen. Liam Neeson plays his part in excellent fashion. The movie and book show the true love and intention of Christ and his new testament to humanity. It shows that being true to yourself and practicing the teachings of Christ can lead to the world's greatest glory. Wonderful book, wonderful movie - one or my all time favorite stories. An enduring classic. Treat yourself to some great entertainment and learn a lot about the true meaning of life in the process.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Loved the story, characters, and ideas. Truly a great family film.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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