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Les Miserables musical
- Thread starter NXT1000
- Start date
'I want to be like Anne Hathaway when I grow up': Isabelle Allen, 10, makes her red carpet debut alongside her idol at Les Misérables premiere
This time last year, her biggest role had been playing a lame boy in her school’s production of The Pied Piper Of Hamelin.
But last night, dressed in a demure pink dress, Isabelle Allen looked utterly at ease with the cameras as she made her red carpet debut alongside the likes of Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter and Russell Crowe, her co-stars in the film adaptation of the hit musical.
She told reporters who had gathered in Leicester Square: 'It’s been so exciting and so much fun.‘All the stars were so nice to me and I love Anne Hathaway.'
'I want to be like her when I grow up. I got a little nervous at times but I loved it. The best bit was doing my solo.’
Jackman praised Isabelle, saying: ‘She’s incredible. Totally pure and unspoilt. She is the movie.’
Her mother, Elaine, said she and her husband Nigel had never expected Isabelle to win the coveted role of Cosette, Fantine’s illegitimate daughter.
FIRST REVIEW: Vive Les Miserables! Hugh Jackman gives the screen performance of his career in this five-star musical extravaganza
Verdict: Vive Les Miserables!
Rating: 5 Star Rating
Les Miserables is a five-star movie musical extravaganza that hums with the spirit of Victor Hugo's classic novel and the landmark stage show upon which it's based.
But Tom Hooper, who already has an Oscar under his belt for The King's Speech, has crafted a work, both stunning and stirring, that holds its own in cinematic terms.
His casting of Hugh Jackman, giving the screen performance of his career, as the unfairly pursued fugitive Jean Valjean is a masterstroke because Jackman anchors the film with aplomb.
Also, because Hooper insisted that the singing be shot live, as opposed to being pre-recorded and then lip-synched as is usually the norm in film musicals, there's a more naturalistic feel to the singing. It doesn't smack of artifice, instead the numbers flow with a more realistic sensibility.
The movie is sung through and Claude-Michel Schonberg's score and the book and lyrics by Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer have never been more potent. Even though the movie is set in 19th century France it resonates powerfully with the 21st century revolutionary struggles in the Middle East, and even here.
All the songs from the stage show are there plus one new number, Suddenly, written for Valjean and young Cosette (Isabelle Allen) as they flee to Paris. Hooper ensures the songs emerge organically to drive the story forward.
Anne Hathaway as Fantine the mother forced to abandon her daughter with the dodgy Thenardier couple (deliciously witty performances by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter) is indescribably wonderful as Fantine and her singing of I Dreamed A Dream is one of the film's most memorable highlights.
It's also the moment that stirs Valjean into heroic action. He takes Fantine's daughter Cosette from the Thenardiers and devotes his life to protecting her all the while being ruthlessly pursued by Russell Crowe's unrelenting Inspector Javert.
Those of us who have seen Cameron Mackintosh's stage production or who have read the novel understand the moral code that propels Javert to bring , as he proclaims, Valjean to justice. But it's not made fully clear in the film what it is that makes him search for Valjean for nigh on two decades. That has nothing to do with Crowe's performance, rather, I suspect, more to do with choices made in the editing room.
However, Crowe does something in the second part of the film, after the bloody revolution and after the barricades have come down that gives some sense of the conflicting emotions swirling around in the man's mind. It's a simple act of magnanimity that, I would argue, is as moving as any of the heartfelt musical numbers. I won't give the moment away here but I have seen the scene make grown men cry, although some of them were sobbing well before then. And, interestingly, the moment was the actor’s own idea.
And after that you'll cry some more when Eddie Redmayne's superb revolutionary student Marius sings Empty Chairs at Empty Tables. He and Amanda Seyfried (as the grown up Cosette) make for a charming couple though, If life were fair, Marius would show some consideration to Eponine the lovestruck daughter of the Thenardiers who loves Marius but knows she can never have him.
Samantha Barks' Eponine has a heart of gold, and a voice made in heaven when she sings On My Own and A Little Fall of Rain. It's hard to believe that Les Miserables is her screen debut. It's as stunning a debut as I've seen in years. The camera loves her and so will cinema audiences.
Twenty seven years ago I watched the first performance of Les Miserables at the Barbican directed for Cameron Mackintosh and the Royal Shakespeare Company by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.
Colm Wilkinson originated the role of Jean Valjean and it seemed wholly appropriate that Wilkinson should play a small but vital part in the picture. Hooper cast him as the Bishop of Digne who shows Valjean uncommon kindess telling him, rather singing to him, "I have bought your soul for God!"
The film is peppered with members of the original stage cast such as Frances Ruffelle, Eponine in the West End and on Broadway, who can now be seen in a blonde wig walking the streets singing Lovely Ladies.
I've seen the film three times and each time the film seemed to grow in stature. I go to bed with the songs from Les Miserables ringing in my ears. I think of One More Day, Red and Black, Do you Hear the People Sing, Bring Him Home and Little People (by the way Daniel Huttlestone's Gavroche is very striking).
The film had its world premiere in London on Wednesday December 6 yet, annoyingly, it doesn't open in the UK till January 11. Even more annoyingly it opens in the United States on Christmas Day.
I find it rather odd but executives at Universal (who produced the film with Working Title and Cameron Mackintosh) insist that distribution patterns are different here than they are in the US. I understand that. It's a tradition that people flock to the movies on Christmas Day in the US, while we are more apt to stay home and watch Downtown Abbey and Call The Midwife on the television. But what about Boxing Day? That's not the stay at home day it used to be.
But go and see Les Miserables at a cinema near you when it's released January 11. It'll be at Imax too. Anyway, it has taken Cameron Mackintosh, with help from producers Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan and Debra Hayward, so long to bring this project to the big screen I guess having to wait a few more days doesn’t really matter. Maybe I’m just irritated that the Americans get it before the British public does.
When you watch it think of the extraordinary levels of British, ok, and French, talent that went into bringing this treasure to the screen. I know some people loathe musicals but I suggest they not be glum and give Les Miserables a go. They might be pleasantly surprised.
Vive Les Miserables!
Verdict: Vive Les Miserables!
Rating: 5 Star Rating
Les Miserables is a five-star movie musical extravaganza that hums with the spirit of Victor Hugo's classic novel and the landmark stage show upon which it's based.
But Tom Hooper, who already has an Oscar under his belt for The King's Speech, has crafted a work, both stunning and stirring, that holds its own in cinematic terms.
His casting of Hugh Jackman, giving the screen performance of his career, as the unfairly pursued fugitive Jean Valjean is a masterstroke because Jackman anchors the film with aplomb.
Also, because Hooper insisted that the singing be shot live, as opposed to being pre-recorded and then lip-synched as is usually the norm in film musicals, there's a more naturalistic feel to the singing. It doesn't smack of artifice, instead the numbers flow with a more realistic sensibility.
The movie is sung through and Claude-Michel Schonberg's score and the book and lyrics by Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer have never been more potent. Even though the movie is set in 19th century France it resonates powerfully with the 21st century revolutionary struggles in the Middle East, and even here.
All the songs from the stage show are there plus one new number, Suddenly, written for Valjean and young Cosette (Isabelle Allen) as they flee to Paris. Hooper ensures the songs emerge organically to drive the story forward.
Anne Hathaway as Fantine the mother forced to abandon her daughter with the dodgy Thenardier couple (deliciously witty performances by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter) is indescribably wonderful as Fantine and her singing of I Dreamed A Dream is one of the film's most memorable highlights.
It's also the moment that stirs Valjean into heroic action. He takes Fantine's daughter Cosette from the Thenardiers and devotes his life to protecting her all the while being ruthlessly pursued by Russell Crowe's unrelenting Inspector Javert.
Those of us who have seen Cameron Mackintosh's stage production or who have read the novel understand the moral code that propels Javert to bring , as he proclaims, Valjean to justice. But it's not made fully clear in the film what it is that makes him search for Valjean for nigh on two decades. That has nothing to do with Crowe's performance, rather, I suspect, more to do with choices made in the editing room.
However, Crowe does something in the second part of the film, after the bloody revolution and after the barricades have come down that gives some sense of the conflicting emotions swirling around in the man's mind. It's a simple act of magnanimity that, I would argue, is as moving as any of the heartfelt musical numbers. I won't give the moment away here but I have seen the scene make grown men cry, although some of them were sobbing well before then. And, interestingly, the moment was the actor’s own idea.
And after that you'll cry some more when Eddie Redmayne's superb revolutionary student Marius sings Empty Chairs at Empty Tables. He and Amanda Seyfried (as the grown up Cosette) make for a charming couple though, If life were fair, Marius would show some consideration to Eponine the lovestruck daughter of the Thenardiers who loves Marius but knows she can never have him.
Samantha Barks' Eponine has a heart of gold, and a voice made in heaven when she sings On My Own and A Little Fall of Rain. It's hard to believe that Les Miserables is her screen debut. It's as stunning a debut as I've seen in years. The camera loves her and so will cinema audiences.
Twenty seven years ago I watched the first performance of Les Miserables at the Barbican directed for Cameron Mackintosh and the Royal Shakespeare Company by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.
Colm Wilkinson originated the role of Jean Valjean and it seemed wholly appropriate that Wilkinson should play a small but vital part in the picture. Hooper cast him as the Bishop of Digne who shows Valjean uncommon kindess telling him, rather singing to him, "I have bought your soul for God!"
The film is peppered with members of the original stage cast such as Frances Ruffelle, Eponine in the West End and on Broadway, who can now be seen in a blonde wig walking the streets singing Lovely Ladies.
I've seen the film three times and each time the film seemed to grow in stature. I go to bed with the songs from Les Miserables ringing in my ears. I think of One More Day, Red and Black, Do you Hear the People Sing, Bring Him Home and Little People (by the way Daniel Huttlestone's Gavroche is very striking).
The film had its world premiere in London on Wednesday December 6 yet, annoyingly, it doesn't open in the UK till January 11. Even more annoyingly it opens in the United States on Christmas Day.
I find it rather odd but executives at Universal (who produced the film with Working Title and Cameron Mackintosh) insist that distribution patterns are different here than they are in the US. I understand that. It's a tradition that people flock to the movies on Christmas Day in the US, while we are more apt to stay home and watch Downtown Abbey and Call The Midwife on the television. But what about Boxing Day? That's not the stay at home day it used to be.
But go and see Les Miserables at a cinema near you when it's released January 11. It'll be at Imax too. Anyway, it has taken Cameron Mackintosh, with help from producers Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan and Debra Hayward, so long to bring this project to the big screen I guess having to wait a few more days doesn’t really matter. Maybe I’m just irritated that the Americans get it before the British public does.
When you watch it think of the extraordinary levels of British, ok, and French, talent that went into bringing this treasure to the screen. I know some people loathe musicals but I suggest they not be glum and give Les Miserables a go. They might be pleasantly surprised.
Vive Les Miserables!
Haunting: The cast of Les Miserables star in a stunning photo shoot for the new issue of The Hollywood Reporter
Dream team: (L-R) Hugh Jackman, director Tom Hooper, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks and Amanda Seyfried
Down to earth: Like the other actresses in the photo shoot, Samantha went barefoot
Oh we're SO excited to unwrap the exquisite present that is Tom Hooper's Les Misérables come Christmas day!
But to tide us over until its release on December 25th, we can indulge in these gorgeous editorial snaps of the Les Mis cast (above & below)!
And we can't imagine a better collection of A-listers to play the iconic characters of this legendary musical.
We've already heard that Anne Hathaway's portrayal of Fantine is Oscar worthy, and from the footage we've seen, ALL the actors involved, including Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried and Russell Crowe, deliver unparalleled performances.
Souped like tomatoes to have our brainz blown by this epic imagining of one of our FAVE Broadway classics!
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