Les Miserables is my favorite book. When I saw a showing for this I jumped at the chance to watch. The presence of Liam Neeson only sweetened the deal. Yet after the movie ended, I was tearing my hair out in complete frustration. What happened? The movie starts out well enough. It was faithful to the book, and the actors were wonderful. After Valjean and Cosette enter the convent however, the movie just fell apart. It was as if the original screenwriter had been fired halfway through production and replaced by a teenager who'd never read Les Miserables. Marius as the leader of the Amis de l'ABC? Don't make me laugh? Evil kidnapper Javert? Egad. Valjean striking Cosette? Oh my goodness. Even casual fans of Les Miserables will be shocked at the incredibly lame ending, which if you must know, watch the film yourself. Needless to say, it was completely out of character for all involved. The musical was more faithful, and THAT'S saying something!
Review of Les Misérables
