What's it about? The movie adaptation of the famous stage musical, it's the story of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), a convict who skips parole and reinvents himself as a respectable man. But the tenacious Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) is on his trail and tracks down Valjean, who has since found himself caring for the daughter of his factory worker Fantine (Anne Hathaway), whilst revolution brews in the streets. Singing ensues.
Is it any good? Who's for a song?
"Do you hear the actors sing?
Singing every single line?
It is the music of a film
Which I thought was mostly fine.
Hugh Jackman was the best
I liked him better than Anne Hathaway
But Russell Crowe was good
Despite what people say.
Did I like every thing?
No, it did go on a bit.
It flagged around the middle
and that Gavroche kid was shit.
But it definitely looked the part
With impressive moments now and then
And some bits stirred my heart
So I give it seven out of ten."
I don't trust you. What do others think? Much acclaim from critics and audiences, although I don't think anyone really thinks it trumps the stage production. Most praise was lavished upon Anne Hathaway, who won several thousand Supporting Actress awards with the tried-and-tested approach of losing weight, cutting her hair and warbling the old SuBo classic 'I Dreamed a Dream'. Hugh Jackman reminded his action fans that he actually started out as a song-and-dance man back in the day, with some impressive vocals and director Hooper was warmly congratulated on pulling off such an ambitious project. Not everyone was won over though, with poor old Russell Crowe getting the most abuse for his relatively limited singing range. But truth be told, he acquits himself pretty well and if it weren't for his gruff, manly tones in the second half in particular, the whole thing could have got very soppy and shrill indeed. Overall, despite that flabby section round the halfway mark, the rousing finale undoubtedly stirred the people's hearts. Indeed, a recent survey showed that 71% of people who watched it immediately went out and built a barricade and sat atop it waving a flag and singing songs.
What does the Fonz think? I thumbed a thumb.
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