summercomfort | Les Miserables

So we went to watch Les Miserables on Christmas day, and it was pretty awesome. I've heard some people who were complaining that it was too much of a musical, and others who were complaining that it was too much of a movie, but I actually liked it for its blend of musical and movie. It made me think about what movies are good at portraying: the varied sets and costumes allow a greater sense of space and a richer historical context. The ability of the camera to zoom in allows for more nuanced facial expressions. The editing and intersplicing of the shots allow jumps in time and space to be better explained, and can also allow for better showing of interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, musicals are good at presenting a different type of narration by directly appealing to the audience -- the equivalent of voice-overs and internal monologues. For example, Fantine's "I dreamed a dream", or Gavroche introducing the various citizens of the Parisian slums. In a normal movie, you wouldn't have a kid basically break the 4th wall and address the camera by saying "Hey, I'm Gavroche, and I live in Saint-Michele, and these are some of the people here." Nor would a movie normally have Jean Valjean describing his hopes and dreams to the camera. These narrative shortcuts are quite important to help do justice to the sprawling epic that is Les Miserables. Admittedly, there is something disconcerting about a movie-style close-ups of the actors (to properly capture and frame their emotions) as they are singing (to concisely express these emotions), or having a moment where someone is singing their internal monologue and no one else in the very rich and detailed setting seems to notice. However, that is something that I'm okay with, given what I get in exchange --- Jean Valjean's chain-gang, Jean Valjean's daring escape, Javert under the stars of Paris, the harrowing journey through the sewers, Jean Valjean's internal struggles properly characterized... etc etc.

All this about the difference between musical and movie makes me wonder what Les Mis would look like as a comic.

Miscellaneous thoughts about the actors... I loved Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean. Sure, his voice might not be as awesome as all the professional Broadway stars, but I love how well he expressed Jean Valjean's strength and faith. Russel Crowe was an okay Javert, but I was expecting a little more fierceness. (BTW: totally in love with the 25th anniversary Javert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41CVDOqcQ5Q -- at the beginning, and also at 11:10 for the face-off. Also the beginning of this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhts0Wt5ovo has "Stars"). Eponine and Gavroche don't seem sufficiently urchin-like, but the Thenardiers were excellent. I've never really liked Cosette and Marius, so whatever.