Les Miserables Movie Review: 7 Reasons Why Les Mis is the Movie of the Year

Les Miserables was a triumph. It’s a brilliant musical that has finally come to the big screen with sceneries from post-revolution France that just adds to its charm. The movie casts the industry’s most brilliant actors including Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, et al. The movie has already made off with $67 million at the box office since debuting on Christmas day.

On Sunday, the movie won the Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture in the Musical or Comedy category. Not quite a surprise. The movie also earned not one or two but eight nods at the Academy Awards' nominations this year. Here are the 7 reasons why Les Miserables is the movie of the year (warning: spoilers ahead): 

1) Best Picture: 

This nomination crowns the success of the movie. Music, scenery, acting, composing went all smooth and very loyal to the original book. The script was charged with history and an inspirational story from young folks in a post-revolution France struggling with its new democratic achievements. The scenery and the streets of France make you want to hop in the next plane to Paris.

2) Lead Actor: 

Hugh Jackman did a terrific job impersonating John Valjean. His performance was very much convincing in the various roles through the movie: From an untrustworthy thief to a noble mayor to a caring father and a hero. He sang beautifully and convincingly. His death at the end was very touching and very much resembling his end in the novel for those who have read the book. 

3) Supporting Actress: 

Despite her relatively short appearance in the movie before the character's death, Anne Hathaway nailed her role. In an interview with Time Magazine, she reported having studying her role so deeply (studying the experience of sex slaves now and then). She is very familiar with the musical as her mother played Fantine in the first Les Mis' U.S. tour. She sang beautifully and live in front of the camera.

4) Costume Design, Makeup And Hairstyling: 

The costumes were another part of the movie that made it so authentic and easily traceable to post-revolution France in the 19th century. The costumes' design complements the historical part of the movie and the period that it is narrated in. It adds an extra appeal to the movie's narrative and a stronger desire to visit the vast museums of France. The makeup and hairstyling added to the costumes as well. Fantine's short hair, in the later scenes before her death, added to visualize her misery and helplessness. The makeup crew did a brilliant job!

5) Original Song: 

The producers of the movie decided that this movie would bear a new song where Jean Valjean adopts Cosette. It's the union of two people who never felt love, but are now starting a new life experience. Hugh Jackman, again, sang beautifully. The song's title is meaningful and simple. The melody and the lyrics are easy to retain. All of it makes a perfect combination for a tear to be shed. The cast sung live to all the songs in the movie. They were only accompanied with piano playing. Little earpieces were later digitally removed from the movie. Impressive!

6) Production Design: 

The multi-camera filming was brilliant. The movie was so real on the big screen. The sets also added to the charm of the movie. The barricades' scenes were so realistic and Paris in the winter was just more beautiful. Production Design nominee form the movie is no other than The King’s Speech's producer designer, Eve Stewart.

7) Sound Mixing: 

Whether Les Mis is a favorite classic musical or brand new to you, you will leave the theater humming one song of the movie. The songs are so powerful and relate much of the movie in beautiful melodies.

If you have not seen the movie please do so you can judge it yourself at the Oscars Ceremony night. It's totally worth your time and your few bucks.