Victor Hugo’s
epic has been fodder for 6 adaptations and god knows how many other “inspirations”. 2 of them in the movie space – 1935 when it was
nominated at the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture and in 1998 when it
wasn’t that lucky. A television mini
series in 2000. A radio series in 1937 also happened somewhere. But this time around it is a musical. The first one since 1980.
The story is the
same of course. That of Jean Valjean
(Hugh Jackman) who, in 1815 gets sentenced for 5 years for stealing a loaf of bread
to feed his hungry nephew (and we thought times are tough now?). He gets an additional 14 years for evading
arrest on many an occasion.
He returns after
serving his sentence only to find out that the world that he left behind has
only become more cruel. He cannot get a
job anymore because he has a yellow passport that indicates he is a former
convict. Obviously the world doesn’t
want to hire someone with a criminal record.
That – is just
the beginning of an absolutely brilliant story which has everything that you
could think of. Music, Drama, Tragedy, Action,
Romance, Thrill and therefore Entertainment.
To think of a story as detailed as this in the late 19th
century is just another credit to that great writer Victor Hugo.
I haven’t read
the book and so I wouldn’t be able to comment on whether the adaptation was
identical to the book but from whatever little I have read, I am told it
is. But to convert it into a musical of
the scale of what we see on screen can be credited only to director Tom Hooper
(King’s Speech).
2 years after
The King’s Speech, Hooper finds himself in line for yet another Best Picture
nomination. Will it win this year?
Really cannot say. I have seen Argo and
Life of Pi from the list of 9. Out of
them, I would be inclined towards Argo. But
then there are 6 others which, sadly haven’t seen the light of day in this
country yet.
The other
question that pops into my mind is why Hooper hasn’t been nominated for Best
Director. Maybe all the others are even
better? Irrespective of the awards that it may land up winning or losing, Les
Misérables is definitely one of the best movies made this year. And before I forget. What voices!!! From every single member of the cast.
If you haven’t seen it yet, I think you will
need to make it part of your Sunday plans.
Don’t miss it for the world. 8 on
10. BUT MIND YOU - IT IS A 3 HOUR MUSICAL AND WILL TAKE SOME PATIENCE.
Trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2712512281/
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