Les Misérables (2012)

DVD COVER/SIDE

Length of film:  158 Minutes

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Musical, Drama, Romance

Director: Tom Hooper

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Syfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit

IMDB Rank: 7.5/10

Part 1 Time:  96 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  62 Minutes

Where does the first part end? It is the night prior to Lamarque’s funeral procession, everyone prepares for a possible revolt in Paris.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “One more dawn! One more day! One day more!” all characters sing in unison.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Do you hear the people sing, singing the song of angry men?” sings the students as they prepare to interrupt Lamarque’s funeral procession.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal/Somewhat, Enjolras (Aaron Tveit) and fellow revolutionists prepare to revolt the following morning. Javert (Russell Crowe) prepares to go undercover. Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) and Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) move to an apartment to avoid being detected by authorities. All of these events are portrayed while the characters perform the song “One Day More.”

Which part is better? Both parts are exceptional, with part one focusing on Jean Valjean adopting and protecting Cosette, while also avoiding prosecution from Javert. Part two focuses primarily on the revolt (June Revolution). Depending on how a viewer observes this film (i.e., for the musical compositions or for the story) the better part will be slightly different. If viewing for musical compositions part one is by far superior with many memorable solo’s and duets, such as “On My Own,” I Dreamed a Dream,” and “One Day More.” If watching the film strictly for the story, part two has more action and devastating events.

Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway), Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Sound Mixing, Best Picture (Nominated), Best Leading Actor (Nominated-Hugh Jackman), Best Costume Design (Nominated), Best Music Written for Motion Pictures Original Song (Nominated-“Suddenly”), Best Production Design (Nominated).