Les Miserables

I've seen many musical films but this one is the best so far. It was full of heart, entertaining, melancholic but very touching. Director Tom Hooper's movie adaptation of the oldest musical Les Miserables is an instant classic. His idea of having the actors singing live during the shoots has played very well, it added more tunes to the songs, allowing the audience to connect and easily follow the story and able to relate more to the characters.  

The movie follows the story of a convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) who has broken his parole and live at large with a new identity as the new Mayor of a town. The ruthless policeman Javert (Russel Crowe) has been hunting him for years. As a second life given to him by the priest that took him in, Jean Valjean has dedicated his life for helping people in need. One night he met the dying Fantine (Anne Hathaway) who has been raising her daughter Cosette. He promised her of taking care of the young Cosette and saved her from cruel couple. The two escaped and lived as father and daughter. The movies goes to another decade where Cosette has grown into a lovely lady (Amanda Seyfried) and met Marius (Eddie Redmayne) in the middle of a revolution. The two fell in love while Epinone (Samantha Barks) hid her loving flare for Marius and sacrificed for him. The film itself tells a lot of stories through singing, there were little dialogues unlike other musicals I've seen and it's really a good thing. It was tragic and melancholic but satisfyingly moving.You'll find  yourself looking for the songs and wanted it played over again.

Actors were really amazing, Anne Hathaway herself is one great reason to watch this great musical with her  rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream". Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe set aside their fighting fists and showed their vocal talents and they did good too. Amanda Seyfried,  Samantha Barks, Eddie Redmayne were of great support while Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Cohen Baron provided the comedic acts and added to tragic and melancholic plot. The film is adapted from Victor Hugo's novel of the same title, written for screen by William Nicholson (Gladiator, Elizabeth: The Golden Age) and directed by the Oscar winner Tom Hooper (The Kings Speech, Damned United). Les Miserables is nominated for this year's Oscar Award with 8 nods including  Best Picture and acting awards for Jackman and Hathaway. (rating 5/5)