Sunday, January 06, 2013
Les Miserables
Victor Hugo's 1000 page book was adapted to create a Musical which I saw
performed on the stage of the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto some decades
ago and spawned several cast recordings a copy of the London edition
gracing my home library. Just before New Years I saw the latest movie
adaptation here in Austin Texas. In a massive theatre inhabited by about
10 people sitting in the corner of the back row probably helped save my
hearing. I am once again reminded as to why I prefer to watch most
movies as DVD's. I still resent being forced to watch inane commercials
before I can see a movie and at that am still forced to sit through
previews of even more movies I'd never dream of watching before I get to
see the feature presentation. At least on DVD one can fast forward or
bypass these inanities.
To the movie proper. The actors in this musical were not all chosen for
their vocal capacity. Amplifying a weak voice does not make it sound
better. The cinematography is beyond reproach the opening scene of
prisoners towing a listing battleship into dry-dock is spectacular. The
battle at the barricades incendiary. Although these moments of high
drama catch the eye it is in the smaller scenes that the movie gains its
strength. The scenes between the bishop and Jean Valjean, with Fantine,
and for comic relief 'Master of the House' with Cosette's 'caregivers'
and the street urchin Gavroche. Russell Crowe as the justice-obsessed
Javare is out of his element in France in a musical. His fellow Aussie
Hugh Jackman does a credible job. The remaining actors are largely unknown.
Just what the students at the barricade are fighting for that makes a
cause worthy of throwing away their very lives is never made clear. They
certainly look good doing it though. As it happens French students still
mount barricades in protest to this very day. Their Red and Black Chorus
is reprized in the closing chorus which ends with an unspoken Amen. To
put things in perspective Hugo's book makes it clear that the sewer
through which Valjean carries Cosette's wounded boyfriend Marius was
once a Montparnasse Brook. Did Good triumph over Evil, Did Love prevail
over Hate and blind adherence to the law? You be the judge.
performed on the stage of the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto some decades
ago and spawned several cast recordings a copy of the London edition
gracing my home library. Just before New Years I saw the latest movie
adaptation here in Austin Texas. In a massive theatre inhabited by about
10 people sitting in the corner of the back row probably helped save my
hearing. I am once again reminded as to why I prefer to watch most
movies as DVD's. I still resent being forced to watch inane commercials
before I can see a movie and at that am still forced to sit through
previews of even more movies I'd never dream of watching before I get to
see the feature presentation. At least on DVD one can fast forward or
bypass these inanities.
To the movie proper. The actors in this musical were not all chosen for
their vocal capacity. Amplifying a weak voice does not make it sound
better. The cinematography is beyond reproach the opening scene of
prisoners towing a listing battleship into dry-dock is spectacular. The
battle at the barricades incendiary. Although these moments of high
drama catch the eye it is in the smaller scenes that the movie gains its
strength. The scenes between the bishop and Jean Valjean, with Fantine,
and for comic relief 'Master of the House' with Cosette's 'caregivers'
and the street urchin Gavroche. Russell Crowe as the justice-obsessed
Javare is out of his element in France in a musical. His fellow Aussie
Hugh Jackman does a credible job. The remaining actors are largely unknown.
Just what the students at the barricade are fighting for that makes a
cause worthy of throwing away their very lives is never made clear. They
certainly look good doing it though. As it happens French students still
mount barricades in protest to this very day. Their Red and Black Chorus
is reprized in the closing chorus which ends with an unspoken Amen. To
put things in perspective Hugo's book makes it clear that the sewer
through which Valjean carries Cosette's wounded boyfriend Marius was
once a Montparnasse Brook. Did Good triumph over Evil, Did Love prevail
over Hate and blind adherence to the law? You be the judge.
# posted by garthmailman@gmail.com @ 8:15 am 
