It’s been a few years since “Les Miserables” revamped itself on the big screen and featured an all-star cast, with voices such as Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, and Russell Crowe as Javert. Any theatre fan can tell you that movie musicals can be a hit or miss. In “Les Mis’s” case, it was a hard miss. I’ve only talked to maybe two other theatre fans who didn’t absolutely hate the movie. I’m here to add my voice to the minority of those who say that I loved the 2012 movie version of "Les Miserables."
Granted, I’m a bit biased. I’m not a conventionally cultured theatre kid; I wasn’t raised on the stage and I have never even been in the chorus of a musical in my life. This movie was my first real exposure to Les Mis if you don’t count the various Les Mis songs featured in Glee. However, I’m also somewhat of an easy please when it comes to musicals, so even if I had seen the stage production first, I’d venture to say I’d love the 2012 movie just the same.
I know I get my “theatre kid” card revoked for this, but Russell Crowe as Javert is actually the bee’s knees. I will never understand why everyone else absolutely hates him in the role. Most of the complaints about all the actors, let alone Javert, seems to be about how their singing isn’t on par with Broadway’s best. I personally don’t think that the singing has to be spectacular in order for the movie to be good. Movies aren’t about singing, they’re about acting, and Russell killed it, in my honest opinion.
I guess I will just never understand why so many people have contentions against this movie when there have been far greater sins in movie musical history. Yes, I am talking about the time they made a movie musical of “Hairspray” and shoved the “Momma, I’m A Big Girl Now” song at the end credits. The acting in “Les Miserables” was great. The setting and the costumes were beautiful. And I’ve heard much worse singing than the likes of Russell Crowe. I think the movie was really good, I loved it, and I don’t care who knows it.
Yes, I know, I’m on my way to turn in my theatre kid card since it’s getting revoked for this since the decision among theatre kids seems to be unanimous that the 2012 “Les Miserables” is awful. I, however, will always think it’s a good movie. It’s not a classic, and it’s certainly not a masterpiece, but I like the storyline and the songs, and I will always think that Russell Crowe is a pretty bitchin’ Javert.
