Les Miserables

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

Finally got to see this on DVD, or at least part of it. I've never seen the Broadway Musical but I did read part of the book many years ago. There was a lot less singing in the book.

Which leads me to the question, Why was this musical so popular? Granted, I only saw about thirty minutes before the DVD stopped playing and did not get to hear 'I dreamed a dream' but the songs I did hear weren't all the great. Maybe that had a lot to do with the fact Russel Crowe was singing them? And Huge Jackman's singing wasn't all that great either. Although most of his song was sung while being drenched by water.

My masochistic OCD side has ordered the replacement DVD to see if I can find out where all the fuss is placed in this picture.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

I just don't see what is so great about this musical. I heard the key song and all I could think was Anne Hathaway really needs to blow her nose. There was one good song between Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter about ripping people off but that was about it. I was thinking a high profile musical would have more memorable songs. It could be there were more memorable songs they just weren't presented well. Russel Crowe did not prove himself to be a mediocre singer never mind a good singer. He should stick with 40 feet of grunts.

As for story, everybody is miserable, which I guess points to the title. I never really cared for the peregrinations that befell Valjean, Clausset and Javert. After the scene of them pulling the broken warship into drydock, nothing really moved me.

[Drunk Monk]

Can't imagine the musical. May have to see it just for that duet.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

At least you can hear the song.

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[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

I forgot the irony portion of the review. So, the lead in the film about the French Revolution is played by an Australian. Pretty much everybody had English accents. And the majority of the outdoor sets were built on the Royal Horse Grounds in London, the same venue they held the Olympic Volleyball. Not a lot of French going on in this story of the French Revolution.

[El Dingo]

Okay - first off, this story takes place more than 20 years after the French revolution (nice article here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/24/the-french-revolution-for-dummies-and-les-mis-rables-watchers.html">http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2 ... chers.html</a><!-- m --> ).

The music is fantastic, but is written to be enjoyed live and from several rows back, not from up someones nostril. It's basically 6 -7 recurring themes that play upon each other with different tempos, instruments and emphasis. Both Dee Dee and I found the "Master of the House" segment poorly performed compared to the live versions.

I can only say that the movie did not do the musical justice. The musical is an ensemble piece while the film made it a diva project.

Please - go to London and see the live show, you won't be disappointed.