REVIEW: Award-winning musical enchants

Sometimes a movie comes along that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you cry. Such was the case for the movie “Les Miserables,” based on the renowned musical which in turn, was based on the equally renowned novel by Victor Hugo.

The set and costume designs were nothing short of amazing in this film. It looks as though a lot of research was done to give the feeling of France at the turn of the 19th century in all its disgusting, gritty authenticity.

However, I do have one minor critique. At the very beginning, the editing and transition from scene to scene is too quick and jarring, but it settles down eventually.

The casting was, for the most part, wisely chosen. The male lead, Hugh Jackman, has a musical background, and he used it most phenomenally as the film’s tortured protagonist, the fugitive turned savior, Jean Valjean.

Russell Crowe as the rigid police inspector Javert is okay — nothing extraordinary, but nothing awful.The true star of the movie is Anne Hathaway as the saddening heroine Fantine. This is not one of the joyous, quirky roles I associate her with.  Rather, this is the role of a woman tormented by chance — a single mother who would do the most despicable things just so her young daughter could live.

Of course, the very soul of the movie is the singing. Jackman and Hathaway truly stole the show with their vocal talents. Every time they sing, they hit deep into the heart.  “I Dreamed a Dream” is the first song in the feature that hit me. Hathaway’s voice went from soft and timid to loud and rebellious before going back to timid while at the same time being in sync with the tune’s depressing lyrics is truly magical.

Some other songs I could pass on — I am not crazy about Crowe’s singing voice, and the slimy “Master of the House” is too gritty for me.

If anyone watches this take on one of Victor Hugo’s timeless novels, I cannot guarantee dry eyes. “Les Miserables” is perfect that way.

I give it four and a half stars.