It seemed to be a given that everyone knew about the story before the film came out. Most people had been to see the show or at least heard about it. I knew nothing. My first ounce of knowledge came from the trailer and I thought I would check it out, not with particularly high expectations. So for those of you as clueless as me (there has to be someone right?!), here comes the history bit... Les Mis was originally an 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. I'm ashamed to say I thought it was just a stage show but that came later apparently. It was then turned into a musical play in Paris in 1980, before coming to the West End in 1985. The rest as they say is history. I'm also ashamed to say I thought it was an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical but apparently not. That must be another one about poor people or something. So, now you know. When I said I knew nothing I wasn't being modest. Actually I think that may have helped because of the people who I have seen criticise it, it is because of comparing it to the show that they loved. So there are times when going in with no expectations is a bonus. I'm not going to describe the storyline for two reasons. One being that it doesn't sound as good on paper as it actually is and two being that it's fairly long and I'm too lazy. I will just say that your French doesn't have to be an amazing standard to get the gist of it from the title. It's not a happy story...
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Light relief comes however, in the shape of Sacha Baron Cohen and the fantastic Helena Bonham Carter. There's something very Dickens about their character portrayals in this film. Let's be fair - you can't go wrong if you throw in a bit of Dickens. The rest of it is non stop emotion, great performance from Hugh Jackman (yes really), and there's even a hottie thrown in in the shape of the gorgeous Aaron Tveit who plays Enjolras. Who can resist a man in a cape? Not me. We were in a full cinema (it was the Sunday of opening weekend) and it got a round of applause at the end. Usually I can't bear that kind of cheese but this time it felt right. For me anyway, my best friend was still cringing and grateful that I somehow refrained from joining in. I was also informed by another friend that it got a round of applause in Brixton too. Enough said.
Anyway, I've really dragged this out but what I essentially wanted to say was go and see it. If the storyline along can't tempt you, the fantastic scenery portraying 19th Century France is stunning. It will be the best 158 minutes you've spent in a cinema recently. It's just won three Golden Globes and I'm sure there will be more awards to come. Here's a tip: take some tissues. I started crying around 7 minutes in and didn't really stop. I even gave up trying to wipe them away (until the end when I spent the round of applause frantically wiping my face so I didn't look like a complete emotional wreck). There have been some really good films lately. Fellow Oscar nominees Argo and Silver Linings Playbook to name just two. This quickly joins them on the great watch list. If you don't want to get up and join in the rousing rendition of 'do you hear the people sing' at the end of the film I'll eat my cape.
