Les Misérables

Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, this epic, Oscar-nominated cinematic adaptation should attract fans of the Broadway musical. Set in squalid 19th-century France, the story opens with emaciated Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman)—just finishing up 19 years of hard labor for stealing a loaf of bread—toiling under the watchful eye of implacable Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe). Paroled but also condemned as an ex-convict, Valjean is given food and shelter by the sympathetic Bishop of Digne (Colm Wilkinson); in return, Valjean steals the church's silver. When he's caught, the Bishop tells the authorities that the booty belongs to Valjean, instructing Valjean to use it to make a better life. Within eight years, Valjean becomes a wealthy factory owner under an assumed name. Valjean takes pity on single mother-turned-prostitute Fantine (Anne Hathaway), vowing to protect her daughter, Cosette, by paying off a couple who have custody of her—a pair of disreputable innkeepers (Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen, serving as comic relief). Years later, with Valjean as her guardian/adoptive father, now-grown Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) falls in love with rebellious Marius (Eddie Redmayne) during the 1832 Paris Uprising. Director Tom Hooper retains the pop opera structure with only minimal spoken dialogue but also takes a daring step by having the actors sing “live” on the set, as opposed to recording with an orchestra beforehand. As for the music, Oscar-nominee Jackman nails Valjean's “Soliloquy,” “Bring Him Home,” and “Who Am I?” with every emotion magnified in close-ups, while fellow nominee Hathaway's “I Dreamed a Dream” is wrenching. An anguished, unrestrained extravaganza, this is highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Tom Hooper, a featurette on Victor Hugo's novel (11 min.), a cast featurette (11 min.), “Creating the Perfect Paris” location featurette (4 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are four additional production featurettes included in the “making-of” documentary “A Revolutionary Tale” (64 min.), the BD-Live function, and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this Best Picture nominee.] (S. Granger)