An admirable adaptation of a very difficult novel to put to screen. This one amalgamated the several books into one story, which is the easiest way. Missing some important plot points, but nothing integral. The best version I've seen was a French version, with, IIRC, Gerard Depardieu as Jean Valjean.
Geoffrey Rush is the standout here. Liam Neeson does a fairly good job (and his size helps to make his role believable), but Geoffrey Rush is superb. I was disappointed in Uma Thurman and Claire Danes, however - I know them both to be capable of acting much more strongly than they showed here. And Claire Danes, being an American with a sad British accent in a French story was amusing at most.
Overall, the film is definitely a good watch. For Geoffrey Rush's performance alone, if nothing else. Though I suggest reading the book above all else, as it's magnificent! And Victor Hugo's epic is one that can never truly be adapted to the silver screen. That aside, this is one of the better jobs I've seen and I recommend it. 7/10.
Geoffrey Rush is the standout here. Liam Neeson does a fairly good job (and his size helps to make his role believable), but Geoffrey Rush is superb. I was disappointed in Uma Thurman and Claire Danes, however - I know them both to be capable of acting much more strongly than they showed here. And Claire Danes, being an American with a sad British accent in a French story was amusing at most.
Overall, the film is definitely a good watch. For Geoffrey Rush's performance alone, if nothing else. Though I suggest reading the book above all else, as it's magnificent! And Victor Hugo's epic is one that can never truly be adapted to the silver screen. That aside, this is one of the better jobs I've seen and I recommend it. 7/10.