Les Miserables

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Product Reviews

(5 stars) - Les Miseerables the movie
If you are looking for the musical, this is not it. If you want to enhance your understanding of the story behind the musical, watch this movie. I found it really helped me understand the characters better than when I saw the stage show. It down-played the Thernardier's role, and the fun/rowdy drinking scene is not here. Eponine's story line is also left out. With that in mind, it is a touching story and is well acted.

(5 stars) - love it
What a great movie on grace! Every couple of years I watch it and it always moves me!

(2 stars) - Erase your memory!
If you want to enjoy this movie, you have to totally erase from your mind any thought that the story is based on Victor Hugo's book.

The book's mighty themes of mercy, forgiveness and spiritual redemption are trampled to death with this depiction of a Valjean whose rage is always under the surface and barely contained. It's not inconceivable that a man who has been brutally imprisoned for 19 years would emerge a hardened and angry man. But it's not the portrayal you get in the book, and it erodes the sympathy you have for him in the movie. Strike a priest? Hit Cossette?!? Not a chance. (And equally unbelievable that Cossette, minutes later, would stroke his cheek in love.) It renders silly the scene in which Valjean refuses to kill Inspector Javert. The man in this movie would leap at the chance!

At least you get a good laugh as the scriptwriters try to craft a love story between Valjean and Fantine. She even rallies from her death bed to enjoy an intimate lunch with her benefactor -- rosy cheeks and all! Ha! And don't even get me started on the ending, as Valjean strolls away from Javert's suicide, light-hearted and smiling. One of the emotional cores of the story, co-opted by a Disney mindset.

It's incredible to think that a West End (and Broadway) musical got the story so much better. So, if you rented this movie and are determined to watch it, just forget anything you ever knew about the story and you'll get through it.

(5 stars) - Great gift
I bought this as a gift for a friend. It was great, shipping was quick. Thank you!

(1 stars) - Les Miserables
Extremely disappointing. Having read the book and seen the movie years ago, this was just not acceptable. I hardly recognized Victor Hugo's story.

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