Amateur movie with Big budget

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Les Mis had the potential to be a great movie. After seeing the live play, I was looking forward to a version that could include the photos and background for an actual French Revolution. However.....Whoever created the cast should be FIRED! They picked some of THE WORST SINGERS in Hollywood and made them sing LIVE in the film! I couldn't watch it for more than 5 minutes because Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe were so AWFUL! For a movie/play that does nothing but SING, I thought they would put their voices over their acting skills. Samantha Barks did great but that was it. Anne Hathaway was a great.....crier. If you want to see a GOOD Les Mis, go onto Youtube or iTunes and rent the 25th or 10th Anniversary Concerts of the play. Those are the type of people that should have been picked. If someone in charge can't find a famous celebrity with a good voice....search for someone NEW!

I do love the story and have watched most of the filmed versions that have appeared over the years with the Gerard Depardieu version being my own favourite. Financially this film has been a great success, I just wish they had worked harder to make the most of what a cinematic version might offer and it could have been another Oliver or West Side Story, but sadly it's not. So few musicals appear to work to fully utilise the medium of film and this one fails on many counts. 1. if your actors can't sing, don't force them to perfom long and avoidable solos! Poor Hugh Jackman did his best, but even an actor of his calibre can't compensate for such a long and unflattering spotlight. 2.Intersperse the songs with other stuff! 10 minutes of action does not mean the next 40 minuites can be overlooked. 3.Give people rousing choruses that they can sing along to. This film almost managed it, but felt the need to change track every time it got close. 4.You don't need to get your actors to sing every single bit of dialog. I think someone cottoned on to this about 3/4 of the way through, but then thought better of it. As it stands, this version is about an hour too long. i just hope its scale doesn't put anyone off from making another musical version some time in the future as it could be so much better than this.

I know some people who do hate it, but i say that to be BS. everything in this is great. from the music, to the acting to even some of the comedy for the thenardiers, while reletivley pointless. it's one of the best musicals of all time, and one of my all time favorite films. such great singers like Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathway and Amanda Seyfried. Even the kid, as far as child actors go isn't as annoying and has a rather cute british accent. and, I'm gonna say it, Russell Crowe isn't as terrible of a singer as everyone says. And the best part is the pathos. I cried during the several deaths. so watch it, go a head and watch it

Les Misérables, meaning "the miserable ones" is a perfect depiction of life in France during the French Revolution. This movie was one of the most moving, and powerful motion pictures I've ever seen. I never read the book or seen the play, but this movie made me feel like I have, like I knew the story before it was shown to me. This movie had an immaculate revolution story, the feelings it gives you are strong and both sympathetic and empathetic. It makes me feel like I'm there with them, experiencing this the way they did. It is one of the best musicals I've ever seen. Hugh Jackman does an incredible job playing the character Jean Valjean, he brought this drunk criminal to life, he brings out the best in the songs with his amazing acting and even his amazing voice. He made Jean Valjean out to be trustworthy especially when he escapes prison to lead on a completely different life as a man who does nothing but help. Tom Hooper's direction and the cinematography, costumes, art design and editing are nothing short of genius. His idea for the actors to sing live during film really gave it much more emotion. There were a few times where the film encountered some pacing issues, but besides that it flowed beautifully altogether. Another amazing act was performed by Ann Hathaway in her role as Fantine. She lost 25 pounds and most of her hair for this role, not only did her amazing acting steal the show but her beautiful voice made it even more tremendous. Specifically, in her performance of the song 'I Dreamed a Dream', it was an Oscar in itself. However, the computer-generated imagery wasn't the best, but they created this amazing world while still being very realistic. This isn't a critic movie, so it makes it hard to critique it, it's more embed in the story and performance than the action and violence. Overall this film is one of my favorite, and has left many crying, laughing, and inspired. It's old feeling and beautiful story reminded me of one of my other favorite musicals Moulin Rouge. Though they take place in different time, I still get those strong emotions and historical view through these actor's eyes. There incredible performances and the films story made the movies how great it is, and I wouldn't change anything about the story. Tom Hooper made the right choices throughout the whole creation of this film. I'm not familiar with the book or play of Les Mis but this movie gave me all the information I needed, to understand the film. The cinematography left me speechless and captured a live theater production for all cinema goers. Those in charge of this film knew precisely what they were working with. A few songs are shortened, several lines altered, and a few scenarios different from their original literary form, but the whole story remains gloriously and satisfyingly intact. This movie left me emotional; sad, happy, nervous, and apologetic, and I appreciated every moment of it. I recommend any and all movies goers to experience this true genius in film history.