It seems that December 26, 2012 is the day of blockbuster films based on what many consider are the greatest books of their generation. Great Gatsby. The Hobbit: Part One. And Les Miserables.
First published as a novel, by Victor Hugo, in 1862, Les Mis is considered to be one of the greatest musicals of all time, and has been adapted many times over for the stage..but yet, never, until now, for the silver screen. Originally, way back in 1988 Alan Parker was considered as a director, but then in 1991 it was passed onto Bruce Beresford.
THEN, it ended up in ‘development hell’, and wasn’t considered at all until 2005. Why the heck it took them another seven years to make the film is beyond me, but hey, that’s Hollywood for you. But despite 24 years of stuffing everyone around, it may be worth it, since it’s being directed by Tom Hooper, aka the guy who did The King’s Speech. So you know, he’s very English and proper and excellent at winning awards and what not.
The film stars Hugh Jackman, as Jean Valjean, after he is released from the Toulon prison after being stuck there for 19 years…for stealing bread (believe or not, this type of thing actually happened) and Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, a police officer who is hellbent on getting Valjean back in prison (because we can’t have people stealing bread). Anne Hathaway plays the famous Fantine, a struggling factory worker whose life basically turns to shit as she tries to bring up her illegitimate daughter Cosette, whose played by Amanda Seyfried.
The supporting cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter and Sasha Baron Cohen, both of whom I’m surprised to see on the cast list since it’s neither a Tim Burton film, or a film that involved pissing off millions of people.
Personally, I haven’t read the book (which I realise is pretty sacrilegious, but come on, it’s really, really long), or seen the musical, but I know the songs. And while Susan Boyle will unfortunately always be connected to I Dream A Dream, there is no doubt that the musical score and songs of Les Mis are what carries it. Despite the pretty depressing storyline (the title does literally translate to The Miserables), people are continually inspired by it.
So really, the biggest question is…can the cast sing? In the trailer below we hear Anne Hathaway sing I Dream A Dream and, well…it could be worse, but let’s be honest, it could also be a lot better. And can Russell Crowe sing? Anybody know? Worst comes to worse, we can ride on Australian pride whenever Hugh Jackman takes the screen.
Are you excited for Les Mis? Do you think it will do justice to the book, and the musicals? Do you think it will be better than The Great Gatsby or The Hobbit? Let me know!
Set In Motion 
Jul 24, 2012 @ 13:38:09
Why do you say ‘Susan Boyle will unfortunately always be connected with I Dreamed A Dream’?
Do some research and you’ll find that the 4 men most closely connected with the song all have acknowledged Susan’s profound impact on the song and Les Mis.
Producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh: Until Susan Boyle it was the great score that never had a hit song. No one has ever owned I Dreamed A Dream – until Susan Boyle
Alain Boublil, French lyricist: 3 or 4 of the most exciting moments I have ever seen on television.
Claude-Michel Songberg, Composer: Someone who sings her life so well, I’ve never seen that. FOR US IT WAS A GIFT FROM HEAVEN.
Sir Hebert Kretzmer – English lyricist: THANK YOU SUSIE!
Ticket sales were waning when Susan Boyle appeared on BGT but the worldwide interest caused ticket sales to soar. Alain Boublil Music Ltd. granted Susan the right to use the song and title for the stage musical about her own life – which on its 11 week UK tour (so far) has been a huge hit.
Jul 24, 2012 @ 23:51:59
Firstly, I would like to thank you for your long response, it’s always interesting to hear other people’s perspectives, and you are clearly a fan of I Dream A Dream and Les Mis.
Secondly, I’m sorry if I have offended you in any way. In what was meant to be an offhand comment, you have clearly believed has insulted Susan Boyle and the creative team around the song.
I agree that she has definitely garnered a lot of attention for the song and the musical, and she definitely has phenomenal musical talent, but I also believe that it is sad that we live in a society where such good quality writing like Les Miserables, and the songs that accompany it, is ignored by the majority of society because they are so ill-informed. Yes, Susan Boyle has done a great deal for the song, but is that necessarily a good thing? Do we want such influential writing to only gather attention when it is performed on a reality television show? Does the public have to be continually hand-fed good music before they can appreciate it?
Once again, thanks for reading and I do hope my comment hasn’t stopped you from enjoying the site!
Jul 25, 2012 @ 13:42:49
IMO, anything that brings quality music to the masses is a good thing. With the dumbing down of society in general, reality television may be the only way many have learned of Les Mis and its great music.
On a lighter note, I’ve read some hilarious tweets about the situation, such as ‘I didn’t know there was a Susan Boyle song in Les Mis’. I know you’ll hate that, but it IS funny. :>)
Jul 25, 2012 @ 22:09:08
Hmmm you definitely make a good point. I think I’m just continually frustrated by people who don’t understand where something has come from. A classic example is when someone says they’re a big fan of Harry potter because they’ve seen the films…
Hahaha oh that truly is awful! Unfortunately far worse has come through twitter…
Jul 24, 2012 @ 16:00:47
Ooooh I just posted about this too! 🙂 I didn’t know any of the background behind it’s production though, that’s very interesting!
I haven’t read the book, I only know the one song, and I have no idea what the plot is, but I think the trailer looks quite good. 🙂 I probably won’t watch it until I’ve read the book though, which could be quite a long time away judging my the pace of my reading lately.
Great post!
Jul 24, 2012 @ 23:47:46
Haha we often do quite similar posts, don’t we? I noticed that you had a post on Emma the other day actually, and I too had just finished reading the book! Such book worms we are 🙂
I’m excited for this film too! I feel that a lot of film watching will be done by yours truly after Christmas…
Jul 25, 2012 @ 00:02:54
Haha yes it seems so, I choose to see that as us having good taste. 😉
Ohhh really? Cool! Did you like Emma?
Jul 25, 2012 @ 00:04:52
Haha, oh yes, definitely. Great minds think alike, right?
Hmm, not really. To be honest I’m not a huge Jane Austen fan. I understand that she is a great writer, and that a lot of her characters have depth, particularly for that era, but I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that in the 1800s they all just went from house to house making idly chit chat about nothing…and that’s what their life consisted of.
What about you? What did you think?
Jul 25, 2012 @ 12:15:00
I really liked it actually, although it was very slow moving! I preferred it to Pride and Prejudice, I wasn’t a big fan of that one.
Like you, I like a little Jane Austen occasionally, but she’s not really a favourite author, I can admire her characters but I don’t get a lot of entertainment out of reading her book, but I did enjoy Emma a suprizing amount. 🙂
Haha yeah I get what you mean about the chit chat!
Jul 27, 2012 @ 06:09:41
Haha I will admit that one thing I liked about Emma is that Clueless is based on it (you know that movie from the 90s?) so it was pretty funny seeing all the parallels unfold in the book.
Are you not a fan of Pride and Prejudice? Out of all the books of hers that I have read (and I will admit, it’s not that many) I liked P&P the most. Mr Darcy is such an arsehole, but he looks so good on paper (rich, smart, good-looking) yet because he’s so awful Elizabeth wants nothing to do with him. I know they end up getting married etc etc, but for that time, it really sends a good message that you don’t have to deal with someone who doesn’t treat you well.
Plus I love stories when their hate for each other turns into love hahaha.
Jul 25, 2012 @ 11:28:17
You know my love for all things musical, especially movie musicals, but I recently saw the stage play of Les Mis on TV, and I have to say, I didn’t like it. Gasp! It’s true. Even my love for Hugh Jackman will not get me to see this. Such a shame, really. *Sigh* You can bet, though, I WILL be in the theatre to see “The Hobbit.” Oh, yes. I will. 🙂
Jul 27, 2012 @ 06:11:38
Not. Even. Your. Love. For. Hugh. Jackman?? Oohh wow, the stage play really must have grated on your nerves!
Yes, I’m pretty excited for The Hobbit. In all honesty, I never made it through all of TLOTR books, but I’ve read The Hobbit a couple of times and loved it. Smaug The Dragon just sounds like the coolest guy ever.
I’m pretty psyched for The Great Gatsby too though!
Jul 27, 2012 @ 11:02:09
No, not even my love for Hugh Jackman. Yeah, to me, it wasn’t that good. It just seemed all over the place and the story seemed forced. I didn’t particularly care for the songs, either. I know! I’m sorry. I’ll go now. *bows her head in shame*
How can you not be excited for The Great Gatsby? Hello! Leonardo. DiCaprio. 🙂
Jul 27, 2012 @ 12:12:36
It’s cool, I’m about to shame myself too. Leonardo di Caprio? Meh. Takes himself too seriously and kinda annoys me. Amazing in Romeo + Juliet but since then hasn’t really stood out for me.
Jul 27, 2012 @ 15:02:48
WHAT? Did I hear you correctly? *sigh* We seem to keep having trouble agreeing on our love for different actors, with one or two exceptions, of course. I guess I have a soft spot for Leo, since he was my first love. I saw Titanic four times in the theatre (That’s a lot of hours). And may or may not have made a scrapbook in his honor (I can’t believe I said that). Don’t worry though, I still have creepy over-the-top affection for you. 😉
Jul 28, 2012 @ 02:06:16
Hahaha YOU MADE A SCRAPBOOK? That’s amazing. I haven’t even seen all of Titanic…but it’s ok, I understand. I went through a stage when I was about 12 where I was obsessed with Jeremy Sumpter, the guy who played Peter Pan? Posters, interviews stuck in my diary. Hahaha so lame.
Hey, off topic. Is it true Kstew is a home wrecker??
Jul 28, 2012 @ 02:43:18
Yep, I still have it too. You haven’t seen the whole movie??? You need to change that as soon as possible. I may have seen it one too many times, but it’s still a great movie. Don’t say that! I was about ten times worse when it came to my Nsync obsession. I bet you didn’t have posters and pictures floor to ceiling on all four of your bedroom walls. Oh, yeah. That was me.
I love how you just throw that in there. “Oh, by the way. . .” Lol. The evidence and The One Who Shall Not Be Named’s statement tell us yes, she is. It’s all over the Internet, so I’m sure you can find all the sordid details. I don’t want to say too much about it. I will say that if you love someone you don’t cheat on them. Ever. I guess she didn’t know that.
Jul 28, 2012 @ 08:34:48
Nahh, I’ve seen about 90% of it. To be honest I have a real loathing for James Cameron because he’s a dickhead to his fans, so I try to boycott his films as much as possible (also haven’t seen Avatar. Whoops).
Hahaha. Nsync? So therefore you weren’t a Backstreet Boys girl? (you have to be one or the other of course)
Hmm. I will look it up asap. If its true then that just cements my opinion of her. To dislike someone because they’re a bit sulky is one thing, but it’s pretty atrocious that she could destroy a marriage and her own relationship. I just feel so badly for everyone else in the situation 😦
Jul 28, 2012 @ 15:17:44
I don’t like him either, and Avatar was just okay, not a must watch or anything.
Nsync all the way! Lol.
Agreed. You know what this means, though? When Rob comes to Australia (to film a new movie) in January, someone *cough* will definitely have to make a trip to the set, make Rob fall in love with her and her adorable Aussie accent, then fly ME out there so we can all be best friends. Sound good? 😉
Jul 30, 2012 @ 23:33:14
Hahaha. OK. Time for me to tell you the truth. I don’t think I’m super in love with Rob anymore. I still think he’s super good looking and what not, but I don’t think it’s love. So, how about, when he comes to Australia I still bewitch him with my awesome accent (although, have you actually heard an Australian accent? We kinda sound awful) and then convince him to take me to Chicago for a holiday, where I just HAVE to introduce him to the only person I know there…eg. you.
Thoughts?
Jul 31, 2012 @ 00:44:53
I think I can live with that compromise . . . definitely. Lol. Australian accents are awesome, I don’t know what you’re talking about. 🙂
Jul 31, 2012 @ 02:30:13
Hahahaha. I have heard Americans love our accents. You guys are crazy!