Jedda Do

This movie devastated me. I thought it was brilliant. I think art is meant to be about affecting your emotions (whether positively or negatively), and I thought this one absolutely succeeded. I was familiar with the story, so didn't get any surprises there, but it was raw and human and I think they all did an amazing job with it.

Apr 24 - 02:48 AM

Sarah Budziszewski

Am I the only one who didn't like Hugh Jackman's singing? I just felt that all his songs sounded the same... Please no hate, just putting my opinion out there...

Apr 21 - 06:02 PM

Abby Gourdin

I hated it. Everyone gave me grief for subjecting them to hours of watching this.

Apr 9 - 03:50 PM

S M

Yes, yes you are the only one.

Apr 8 - 11:17 AM

Michael Greico

You do not understand that this is not supposed to be a pretty musical. It is a sad, dark, and miserable story and the songs reflect that. The actors put the proper emotion into their songs and convey exactly what they are feeling. If you weren't moved by this you have no heart.

Apr 8 - 09:31 AM

Phisit Wongsumdang

It's a good movie but poor singer make this worse then I thought.

Mar 31 - 03:54 AM

Karen Cullen

Did anyone notice that ALL THE DIALOG in this movie is SUNG, NOT SPOKEN?? That makes it closer to an OPERA than a musical -- sooooo, why the hell would cast it entirely with actors who CAN'T SING THEIR WAY OUT OF A PAPER BAG?!?!?! Sorry, NONE of them were any GOOD, and Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried were TORTUROUS to listen to!!!!! Awful film -- and I'm in the minority who actually LIKES musicals.

Mar 30 - 02:46 PM

Stephanie Michaud

Hated it too.

Mar 30 - 03:04 AM

Cole Jaeger

I don't understand how you thought the singing was awful.

Mar 29 - 05:40 PM

Arthur Obst

I loved it. I found it explorative, profound, emotional, and pointedly, wonderfully conflicted. The important and intriguing themes it explored and the subtle symbolism and parallels deliberately placed throughout enabled the movie to become a multi-leveled work of art. The emotional and expert acting and raw, honest style of singing, in my eyes, made the cinematic adaption an interesting shift from the precise, controlled acting and singing within most stage performances. This version of Les Miserables fully utilized the capabilities of a motion picture to introduce fresh uniqueness to a remarkable but aged play.

Mar 28 - 10:54 PM

Paul Herscheit

One of my favorite movies ever!

Mar 28 - 03:27 PM

Eduardo Leon

I loved it. Fantine is supposed to die early on so why complain about that. There was noy lip-synch. The singing was recorded live!!!
The only weak link is the average singing of Rusel Crowe wich is reaffirming the extraordinary performance from the rest of the cast.

Mar 26 - 10:56 AM

Nikolis Paquette

The singing was so... sub-par. :/

Mar 25 - 07:39 PM

Abrasha Staszewski

I just watched Les Miserables. What a pompous disjointed unintelligible piece of crap! What a magnificent piece of shit! What elegant horse manure! Anne Hathaway got an Academy Award for this?!? Damn, she didn't even act in it. She died half an hour into a two and a half hour movie. And Russell Crowe?!? He should keep his mouth shut and never ever sing. WTF!

Mar 24 - 11:17 AM

Lee Augustus

Looks like a polarizing movie, I'll give it a watch to make up my own opinion

Mar 22 - 05:53 PM

Ryan McGovern

I had a lot of issues with it. You should watch my breakdown, An Incomplete History of Les Miserables: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-vCwLY8DWg

Mar 22 - 04:06 PM

Liz Lisa

You are not alone, and though i did not enjoy the movies, I must say i tend to always be more disturbed by comments. The work itself does not deserve extreme hate or praise. Anyone out there that start bashing others who comment are really not doing the film any more good.

Mar 21 - 09:20 PM

S D

Chris Seekatz, tell your stupid opinion to her Oscar she won for your so-called AWFUL performance she gave. Kicking yourself yet?

Mar 18 - 07:41 AM

Deanna Mannings

This particular adaption from live musical to film was a disappointment. Might as well just go to an actual live musical if you want 3 hours of non-stop singing, no breaks, no smooth transition of scenes. This is an ADAPTION, it should've adapted - i.e, change necessary elements to fit with the film media. My opinion is that this is not a real film, it's just a musical play on screen. Chicago is a wonderful example of how to produce a musical film.

Mar 14 - 05:01 AM

Ben Herr

If you like musicals, you should be glad to see one where emotion was put before vocals. And if you're not a fan of musicals, this is the one to watch because it's more than just songs.

Now, I thought it had its very fair share of flaws, but i completely disagree with your assessment of why it was bad.

Mar 12 - 11:47 AM

Clive Richards

well ok I will confess that I think les mis is the best musical ever written - commercially successul too which is a good combination you dont see often. I have seen it 11 times on the stage and read the book - of course it is difficult to compress one of the longest french language books into 3 hours - the songs are amazing and although I was dissapointed with Russel Crowes singing he was none the less a very concvincing Javert - The thing that I liked was the artistes being able to concentrate on acting an lyrics - the music is so good it doesnt need perfect singing and often sounds wrong when professional singers get hold of it. It is meant to be, even the original novel, somewhat of an emotional roller coaster and it achieves this in a different way to the stage show. No one who didnt love les miserables or like musicals on film should go and see it anyway - it wont be for you - as for the Oscars well Anne rightly won both Bafta and Oscar - I would have liked to have seen Sam Barks and Hugh Jackman win something but then hollywood ignored Madonnas magnificent performance in Evita - so what they are both great musicals unlike the pathetic attempt to bring Phantom to the film was.

Mar 7 - 04:48 PM

Vanessa Buckley

Totally agree. Hated every minute.

Mar 6 - 02:05 AM

Jared Stupidy

they sucked at singing,my ears are fucking bleeding

Mar 3 - 05:22 PM

Rebecca-Louise Marasco

I hate Star's song, it's a shame he sounded like someone broke his nose though. I lost concentration as soon as Jean Valjean opened his mouth and sang 'look down, look down' he made too much of an effort to sound like the first one, too much rocky for my tastes. Plus the eyebrow raising for high notes, I had almost laughed in his last song. Plus there doesn't seem to be much room for acting in a 2+ hours long film... shame.
It seems that people expect actors to not have tears and snot when crying - when I'm despairing i have tears and snot... Plus - I hated the harmonies that they put in and who the F is the grandfather?!

Mar 1 - 06:26 AM

sara messina

THANK YOU SOO VERY MUCH!!!! I thought for a while I was the only one who hated anne's performance (and the entire production). I thought Jackman and barks and carter were the best in it although what advertising did they do for barks? (none that and they downsized eponine) but thank you for feeling the same way. I felt anne scapegoated to screaming and crying rather than actually trying to sing the song

Feb 27 - 11:04 PM

Crystal Catudal

Hugh was sensational but Hathaway was horrible, worst singer ever, made me despise Fantine (a character I love). Her grim squawks were extremely miserable to listen to, she butchered a classic.

Feb 26 - 05:45 PM

Maria Yovita

You're not alone!
It's a complete trash!

Feb 25 - 10:51 AM

Pete Robertson

Just got back from the cinema. I have to say that this is the worst film I have ever seen in my life. Utter, UTTER shit. Horrific. Painful. Dreadful. Horrendous. Two and a half hours of my like that I will never get back again............

Feb 23 - 02:42 PM

James Gray

I loved this movie. But I love musicals. I cried. A lot.

Feb 22 - 11:10 AM

Debbie Tillman

I loved the book and have seen all the other versions of this movie, including the Broadway version. I love musicals but hated this movie. I couldn't stick it out to the end, it was awful.

Feb 22 - 10:57 AM

Ty Silvia

This was sappy and hollow. Watching nothing but pure singing without almost no non-singing dialogue makes it feel odd. I stuck it out because I am going to France in a few months and hoped to see some history and sites. None of that other than a sissy attempt at representing the French Revolution. DO you think the original rebels had manicured nails and clear nail polish?

Feb 20 - 06:14 PM

Sara Hale

You couldn't pay me to watch it again! Yuck!

Feb 20 - 03:59 PM

Sara Hale

It's not that I hate musicals, it's that I hated this movie. There really wasn't anything good about it. I mean at least make it believable. 18 years in prison for a stolen loaf of bread and the officer won't let it rest? Come on! The actors were ok, but the singing conversations were beyond ridiculous. The worst part about this movie is that it got really trashy, sleezy, and disgusting in parts. Wasn't it bad enough that she was forsed to become a prostitute without showing the disgusting details? What about the good parts? There weren't any! So why go see it?

Feb 20 - 03:57 PM

S D

It amazes me that all the people who apparently HATE and bash this AMAZING adaptation of the stage play... went to see it anyways. And come on here to vent their frustration of being petty at how GOOD this movie really is. I think this is one of the most truthful cinematic adaptations to a stage musical since Chicago. And as far as celebrities opinions go aka Adam Lambert,, he has no room to talk. Seeing of how he's a two hit wonder and can barely sing himself which is why he lost Idol and has to rub his opinion in people's faces because he's not getting the attention he once had. Maybe he's pissed at the fact that he didn't get the part of Jean ValJean. When Hugh Jackman blew me away with his PHENOMENAL voice! Let's put it this way he had me in tears at some points in the movie with how powerful his voice is. And the story line and music in general is a good "choke you up" time. I will be crying tears of joy when come Oscar night both Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway (her best film in my opinion) walk away with the golden guy and it wins for best picture. All the while when you haters are kicking yourself saying geez, this was a good movie after all. Quit hating. You look like frickin' idiots!

Feb 13 - 08:32 PM

Jared Armijo

I can't say I hated it, but that doesn't necessarily mean I enjoyed it either. I'd say if you like the play, see it, but otherwise, you can skip it.

Feb 11 - 07:12 PM

Yana Abramowitz

I couldnt stand this movie.. It was way to freaking long. The singing was an overkill. and i just found it flat boring.

Feb 9 - 06:32 AM

Camilo Castro

How dare you... this movie is one of the best ever!

Feb 8 - 05:40 AM

David Goldyn

No your not alone. I left after 1 hour. I was so bored. You mean no one in France was happy? I know it was post revolution but isn't that the land of Pastries and dancing girls? Too miserable for my taste. And how do you direct a move without any dancing?? It was a one note move. Depressing.

Feb 6 - 07:05 PM

YunHong Choo

You people are mad. Why do you think this movie is horrible? I Dreamed A Dream is supposed to be sang in a sad and passionate way. I think the Broadway musical version of I Dreamed A Dream is too mainstream, too many "oohs" and "ahhs". It shouldn't be that way. If you are a fan of musical, and if you are a fan of music, you should know better that the song, I Dreamed A Dream is a sad song and it should be sang that way. Anne Hathaway's performance was raw, and passionate. I don't understand why you people don't get through it. Her version of I Dreamed A Dream is really amazing. And yes, no doubt the film is too long, there are parts that are not necessary, and some of the scenes are just plain boring. But other than that, what's not to like? You guys think the movie did a poor job? Fine, your opinion, but to think Anne Hathaway is horrible? Wow, you people have a very very very very very very very (to infinity and beyond, VERY) low taste in movie.

Jan 30 - 08:30 AM

Peter Salzer

No, you're not alone. Don't normally like musicals as films or on stage. But we thought we should give a shot. Big mistake: boring, sentimental, wooden acting, singing and lyric with awful rhymes ...

Jan 29 - 03:37 PM

TJ Ogawa

I had a mixed impression. I thought it is well acted and sung (by the singing-actors who are NOT singers).
One big problem I had is the extensive use of CGI. I'm a geek, and probably because of it, I kept noticing computer generated animations all the time, which was distracting and prevented me to connect to the movie. I know it's 21st century. But, is it really necessary to have such exaggerated zooming & panning in every scene? The movie felt like a video game. I didn't like that at all.

Jan 29 - 06:53 AM

Chris King

Its a movie, limited time and budget and $20 viewing. Far more entertaining than the french Tv version staring gerard diperdaue etc. My expectations were not for a live stage perfomance and for 2.5 hours i was thoroughly entertained. The ending was a "bit of with fairys" for me but....

Jan 29 - 04:55 AM

Bram Sterling

I personally really liked this film. I can understand how one can be turned down by the lack of dialogue, but I went along with the ride. If Hooper keeps on making films like this, I'll keep watching them.

Jan 28 - 07:03 AM

Eric Schneider

No, you're not. I hated, hated, hated it! (Walked out after an hour)Mainly because I loved the book; I've read it, unabridged, two or three times in the past 40 years. Secondly because I love music = classical, religious, and folk, especially. As as screenwriter, I know no one could make a 3-hour movie from that huge, great book; maybe a mini-series. But all the beauty was cut for the dark, dark, darkness. It made Dickens look like Angels in the Outfield. Unrelieved pain, anger, suffering, and truncated action. I saw the play in L.A., and it was all right; the movie added so many scenes of filth and open sores.
And I found the music whiny, repetitive, and unrelieved tension. Fantine's solo (I'm also a songwriter) was beautiful music but horrid lyrics.I am not only angry, but sad. "Look what they've done to a book everyone must read before they die, Ma!

Jan 25 - 07:30 PM

Bryony Pugh

I'm rather disappointed that people have gone into a cinema expecting to see a stage production. This is a film... And a bloody good one at that.

Jan 24 - 10:25 AM

Kevin Pearson

I agree with Chris. I loved the live show I saw in London a few years ago, however, I cannot say the same about the movie. The singing was terrible and therefore one could not make an emotional connection. It was long winded and very boring despite some good acting.

Jan 23 - 04:02 AM

Lynelle Edwards Bennett

I just saw this movie last night. I went on $5 discount movie night and boy am I glad I did. Because, I would not have wanted to spend one more penny on this film then I already had. It wasn't even worth the $5. I've never seen a musical before that was such a huge success on Broadway and yet incredibly dull on screen. The songs seemed like random notes, I could barely make out a melody. There are only three words that could have saved this film "Andrew Lloyd Webber"

Jan 22 - 07:21 AM

Joe Beller

A great musical - I can't imagine it being better - and I saw the Broadway, London and LA stage versions. Singing was more realistic in the movie - the stage singers are clearly singers and not actors.

Jan 21 - 07:29 PM

Frank Baum

KenC quotes Marius as singing "Every day, I wonder every day, who was it brought me here from the Barricade". Actually, in the film, this line is missing - which (IMHO) makes Cosette's warbling response of "Don't think about it Marius..." completely nonsensical. If the film is meant to be a cinematic interpretation of part of the book by Victor Hugo, then it does a good job of it. But... if, as advertised, it is meant to be a transfer of the stage musical to the screen, it's awful. Bits missing, bits added, bits swapped around - for those who fell in love with the stage production, this thing is surely a travesty, and that's why I hate it (with a vengeance!) The death of Eponine was truly pathetic - Lea Salonga's 10th Anniversary Concert performance, compared to what was done on film, is a masterpiece of acting and singing (watch and learn). Sacha Baron Cohen managed to turn something comedic into a complete joke (for all the wrong reasons), and as for Hugh Jackman... I know that he and Colm Wilkinson discussed "Bring Him Home" at some length, but I do wonder whether HJ actually listened (either to CW or to CW's recordings of the piece). I could go on about all this for days, but what's the point. The film is devoid of all the things that have sustained the stage version for the last 27 years, and will be lucky to be still showing in 27 weeks. And... what on Earth is the one person who breathes power and belief into his role doing, playing a Bishop? This film is pathetic - truly pathetic, and I for one am disappointed and angry!!

Jan 21 - 06:51 AM

Nick Mullins

I agree, I HATE Anne Hathaway.

Jan 18 - 12:53 PM

Hugh Worrall

I think a bunch of you folks might not have noticed that Les Mis is based on real events after the French Revolution, from a time when ordinary people had to fight for freedom and a fair take from the economy - not totally unlike what our soldiers are currently doing in places like Afganistan. There were real people involved and this novel and musical attempt to bring that experience to us, to get us to think about what that means. I think the performers were excellent and it was moving and powerful. It reminded me about the important things in life - I didn't have any trouble concentrating on that. Ann Hathaway's tears moved me, in the same way that she was moved by her character, no doubt. Tears and snot are normal human reactions to terrible situations and I'm glad the producers had the courage to leave this type of thing in the movie. The movie is not supposed to be a singing competition. But I'll concede, that you leave the cinema emotionally drained.

Jan 18 - 02:15 AM

Typhon Q

I think that movie conveyed the general feeling of les miz pretty well. I recognize that the singing may not have been as good as it is on stage, but the actors in this case were moving around and singing and acting all at the same time. Which I am going to assume is rather challenging. As for Russell Crowe, I think that he fit the character of Javert well. He wasn't too dominating, but brought an aura of authority with him, enough to make him seem like a hound of the law, but not enough to make his moral confusion at the end seem unfounded. Overall, quite a good and enjoyable movie.

Jan 17 - 03:53 PM

Tom Greenfield

It was tres miserable.

Jan 16 - 08:56 PM

amara dimude

Good actors...(well Russell Crowe did good, i just didn't think he was well suited for mean Janvier), good effort in singing. Anne Hatheway and Huge Jackman carried the movie all the way. However, I was bored after the first hour of the film. It was unnecessarily too long, and the revolution was't well enacted...I mean what was up in the second to the last scene where it appeared Huge Jackman was begging to die?...lol.

Jan 16 - 06:25 PM

cherie tree

i loved the musical, i thought the movie was great, sure it may not be as good as the musical but when are movies ever? for what it is i think its brilliant and still managed to make me cry like hell while loving it

Jan 16 - 04:31 AM

Kay Ara

We stuck it for an hour. My husband fell asleep for about 45 minutes and said he'd had a bad dream and there was a lot of noise - I said that was no dream that was the film and the noise was Victor Hugo turning in his grave.

Jan 15 - 12:38 PM

Kate Stewart

Noah Lister Stevens - if you had read the book, you'd know that Cosette becomes literate, because Valjean has her schooled when they are living at the convent. I know this is all about the film/musical, but when are people going to remember this is a book? Daunting prospect when I picked it up, but read it within two weeks and it's wonderful, moving and tear-jerking. Seems Hugo could move one to tears with his words alone!

Jan 15 - 02:14 AM

Phil Saunders

Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Huttlestone, & the elephant were amusing: everyone else was NOT

Jan 14 - 03:23 PM

Chris Harris

All you people pining for absolute pitch-perfect performances... you do realize that you can listen to the Broadway production, don't you?

Jan 14 - 02:45 PM

Paul Loveridge

No, you're not alone.

I can't recall when I last saw a film that I so wanted to walk out on. Unfortunately the wife was loving so I was stuck.

The small local cinema I was in had 134 seats in that screen room, 16 light figures on the sides, 12 on the roof. It had one large aircon vent and three small ones. I counted them all many many times.

Jan 14 - 03:02 AM

Helen Brown

Love the show, and enjoyed this very much. If you go there expecting a replica of the stage show you will be disappointed. But for me (apart from the flat singing and woodenness of Russell Crowe and the awful camerawork on Bring Him Home) I loved it. Kudos to Hugh Jackman who couldn't have been more different to the wonderful Colm Wilkinson who created the part, but was just as moving.

Jan 13 - 02:30 PM

Brendon Porter

Got to ask, why are all the critics panning this movie, and many others, while praising on high Lincoln? And ironically, I'm reading a lot of the public's criticism of Lincoln. Methinks there is more to this than meets the eye. Oscars coming up? I wonder if crtics take bribes? lol

Jan 12 - 10:57 PM

Peter Lumsden

If you want the real thing with singing, go to the theatre show. I thought that this version conveyed the themes from the original novel pretty well, and I enjoyed it on that score

Jan 12 - 05:09 PM

Dina Floreancig

Nope I am right with you, I think anyone who loves the story and music will hate it. Anyone going in with no expectations or idea about the story will like it.

Jan 12 - 02:38 PM

Jeremiah McDowell

You lost me when you started bashing Anne Hathaway. She was perfect in this movie. Anyone else I would have given you the benefit of differing taste.

Jan 12 - 03:44 AM

Josiah Coulter

I though it was perfect. No it wasn't "pitch perfect" singing, but it was raw, real, and emotional. So much more realistic.

Jan 11 - 10:20 PM

Sarah DeNicola

This movie vacillates between music and pain so exhaustively its unclear which your actually watching.

Jan 11 - 08:45 PM

hollis mills

musicals are always a watch

Jan 11 - 08:18 PM

Paul Turner

I am not a fan of musicals but I have seen the stage show twice and I think that that the film is absolutely superb.I loved every minute of it.The music and songs are amazing and to be honest there is a real authenticity to the singing from Actors which made it real and beleivable. There were so many stand out performances.It was truly one of the best films that I have seen and was true to the stage production. 10Jackman was fantastic,Sacha Cohen hilarious,Gavroche adorable.The Audience were captivated, nobody murmured a word or left and there was spontaneous applause at the end.10 out of 10 for me

Jan 11 - 04:40 PM

Kim Howlen

Seeing the musical is a completely different experience than seeing it in theaters. Having said that I still thought the film was top notch. Anne Hathaway deserves to win Best Supporting Actress.

Jan 11 - 11:54 AM

David Moody

I Love Les Mis with a passion but having listened to the official soundtrack I have to agree - the singing is at times painful... perhaps when I see the film, other aspects will compensate but the soundtrack is a poor reflection on the original and 10 year anniversary soundtracks

Jan 11 - 07:21 AM

Dennis Sarson

No you're not on your own Chris, I thought it a woeful waste of my time. I could have been at home sticking pins in my eyes, would've been more fun..

Jan 11 - 12:41 AM

Eamon Anderson

Opera has been around for hundreds of years. I am sorry Noah but you must have some sort of bowl obstruction bothering you if did not find the music and performances first class (but you sure do have the bombastic style of a wannabe critic down cold). My wife and I both gave the film a rare 10 out 10.

Jan 10 - 07:03 PM

Noah Lister-Stevens

Trust me: you're not. This movie makes my top 10 worst movies I've ever seen.

The idea of a musical is an inherently silly idea. The idea of people bursting into song for no real reason is a pretty ridiculous idea, and thus comedic musicals are infinitely better then ones that try to be serious. Now, this is not to say that all non-comedy musicals are stupid: some make the transition excellently and are tributes to their name. This one is a total and utter disaster.

Every single song is upbeat. Even Anne Hathaway's performance of 'I Dreamed a Dream' is rather happy-sounding. This makes it completely impossible to feel sorry for her character. Same for Javert: Seriously, the guy is committing suicide, and it wasn't enough that he breaks into song while standing above the Seine, he has to have an orchestra playing relatively amusing music while he does it? No sympathy at all. I conveyed more emotion from one page of the novel then I did from the entirety of this movie for each individual character. I mean, Eponine gathered more sympathy from me then did Cosette, Marius, Jean Valjean and Javert combined. Know why? The music that she had actually matched her frigging emotions.

Sascha Baron Cohen was hilarious. I'll grant that. Despite he and Helena Bonham Carter's overly absurd clothing (Jean Valjean's yellow coat that he wears in the book is worth a small fortune because it's such a rare colour to have, yet these two pretty poor innkeepers dress more flamboyantly then Elton John), 'The Master of the House' was pretty damn funny: I will grant this movie that. Or maybe it's just the natural amusing nature of Sascha Baron Cohen, who has yet to disappoint me in a comic role. Still, though, Thenardier is truly evil and to butcher the character by making him a bumbling, clumsy thief robs the novel of something important.

What else? Cosette's vocabulary is far too large for her age group combined with the fact that she's illiterate and the time that she's living in. Russell Crowe played Javert like a wuss; this is the dude who played a damn-near invincible roman gladiator, and I know he could have done better (although you could attribute this to the terrible music and overall atmosphere). Anne Hathaway bawls far too much, which is out-of-character and distracting. Hugh Jackman is an atrocious singer and has a ridiculous accent. I could count on one hand the number of times that actual dialogue occurred in the movie instead of ad absurdum singing.

And last: converting stage performances into movies is a stupid idea. No other way to say it. The camera is supposed to be an invisible spectator in movies, but actors onstage continually sing at the fourth wall. Blending the two is incredibly dumb and results in a silly-looking film. Keep theatre on the stage and movies on the screen.

Jan 9 - 06:59 PM

Jen Normoyle

I have loved this musical since I was a little grew. I sang "On my Own" when I was 7 years old. I used to sit in my bedroom and try to sing the songs and hit the notes. It's not that I expected a broadway production, but I did still expect the quality of the musical to be there. The acting was superb as to be expected by the caliber of actors and the scenes were beautiful, but the singing just wasn't there for me. It felt like the actors were straining all the time to hit these large notes or to make the music soar and it just fell short. Hugh was bare-able, Anne's acting sold it, Russell was terrible, Segfried's high notes were like nails on a chalk board (thin and shrilly). I went straight home after watching the movie and watched the 10th anniversary performance to wash the distaste of the motion picture from my mind. They had to expect there would be some backlash from true fans....when you approach something this magnanimously known and you don't hit the mark. I feel they should have done as Rent had done, and chosen people from stage productions to perform in the motion picture. Honestly, you may like this if you've never heard the musical or seen it...if you're not a fan, then you don't know what you missed out on in the movie.

Jan 9 - 12:13 AM

Max Gon

this movie was awful thanks to hugh jackman's and russel row's DREADFUL attempts to sing. great actors... horrible musicians. I dont care how many awards Hugh has won or his broadway background. I've looked up his past singing performances and have not liked a single note out of his mouth

Jan 6 - 02:02 PM

Kellie Sheakoski

I couldn't wait to see this, and I was not disappointed. Loved every moment of it. I thought Eddie was great as Marius. His vocal range was impressive. The actors showed such emotion. So glad it was brought to the big screen so many could have the opportunity to experience this great story!

Jan 5 - 09:12 PM

Cindy Caputo

Second time in my life I walked out of a film. It was passionless and dreary; poorly conceived and produced. Other audience members walked out. We miserables.

Jan 5 - 09:09 PM

Barbara Jackson

I didn't like it simply because I could not stand that the cast sang ALL their lines. I knew it was a musical when I went in but I was not expecting that kind of musical (think Sound of Music kind of musical). Not knocking the acting, just could not get past all the singing. If I could have I would have walked out after the first 20 minutes.

Jan 5 - 02:58 PM

Stephen Simmons

How blasÃ? and what easy critics we have become as a society. To say that Hathaway is "awful" only underscores your arrogance/ignorance (I'm not sure which, Chris). What people have grossly failed to appreciate about this movie is it's uniqueness. It is a show that is known to everyone as a STAGE production, which has vastly different elements and attributes from a film. Hooper's bold use of both real time singing and ultra closeups was innovative and refreshing. The actors were acting AND singing. We saw every flaw and glint in their faces. This is something that the stage actors never had to worry about (especially if one saw the play from anywhere past the first few rows. For all of the armchair critics who can neither sing nor act to pass such negative judgement is a joke and highlights a glaring weakness in our new social media world: everyone's a critic and there is no filter. The only objective weakness in the film was Crowe. He acted very well, but he does not have the chops to pull off those songs. As with the young students, they probably should have cast a lesser known actor who could have pulled off the singing. To everyone else out there, IGNORE CHRIS' COMMENTS and see the film...you will be happy that you did.

Jan 5 - 12:30 PM

Sue Stephenson

YES

Jan 4 - 07:03 PM

Ray Jones

I loved it. The raw singing from actors actually added "Realism" to the singing, and made the story that much more believable. C'mon folks, if you wanna hear good singing ... /go to an Opera !!

Jan 3 - 08:14 PM

Shawn Dougherty

I LOVE most musicals...Chicago, Sound of Music, Grease. Hell, I even liked Newsies. However, I am not a fan of Les Miz, mainly because I thought the singing was subpar(Eponine excluded). If I want to see gritty, I'll watch a Tarantino movie. When I watch a musical I want to hear people who can sing well, not someone speak-singing or singing in between sobs. Yes, Ann Hathaway can act, but she is not a singer. The movie had other flaws as well...extremely long CLOSE UPS, lack of setting up wide shots to set the scene, miscasting, etc. I am praying that the original song does not get nominated(you know it will because of weak competition).

Jan 3 - 08:02 PM

Sam Seleznow

DUDE, Anne Hathaway was probably the only person in this movie who put her heart and soul into her performance. You probably just didn't like her performance because it made you feel uncomfortable, and sir, that is sortof the point of her performance. Now, other than this, I did hate this movie, not because the singing was terrible, but because it was poorly directed, edited, and acted. I'M A MUSICAL THEATER PERSON!! fnuiedsbvhsj. There, I just blew your theory out of the water.
In conclusion, I am here to crush the myth that professional musical theater actors only care about singing. Noone on broadway will tell you they're a "singer," they will say "I'm an actor." The only people who will like this movie are people who are ignorant to what true storytelling/acting/direction is.

Jan 3 - 02:50 PM

Karen Beauprie

Just got back from theater. Disgusted with it all. What was with the cockney accents in Paris? Except for Jackman, singing was horrid. This musical should have never left the theater. Master of the house was a bad version of Sweeney Todd! No dance, come on its a musical! If this wins anything it will probably be Best Actor, but I fear it will try to push Chicago out of the way and there is no comparison. Very hard to sit through and wanted to barf when people applauded when it was over. Really??

Jan 2 - 09:48 PM

Chelsie VanGorder

I personally loved everything about this movie expect for Anne Hathaway. With only the stage production and original Broadway recordings to compare her to she really failed at having the strength for the role. Besides the crying as she sings which some people can pull off like Hugh Jackman etc. Her voice just wasn't strong enough. It didn't carry the emotion it needed and you just didn't feel bad for the character.

Jan 2 - 09:03 PM

Charlie Oster

if anne hathaway dosent get the academy award ill cry harder than she did...

Jan 2 - 07:39 PM

Dylan P

I thought it was mediocre 50/100.

Dec 31 - 07:56 PM

Zack Azure

This was such a major disappointment, they had some revolutionary (no pun intended) ideas in the making of this movie, yet they fell short. A lot of the problems fall on the shoulders of the production team. The camera angles weren't up to snuff, they hired ACTORS instead of SINGERS, making the same mistake Andrew Llyod Webber did with Phantom of The Opera (2004), and when there was some amazing scenes where the actors did great job at singing, it seemed they were dwarfed by the production's choices.
I also found it increasingly annoying that the production thought they should do some corny symbolism in the movie, like in Eponine's death scene, after they move Samantha Bark's body, it reveals they (Marius and Eponine) were laying on a banner which read "Mort" which is the French word for Death. Another was in the song "Bring Him Home" when Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) is singing to God to save Marius (Eddie Redmayne) in the background of the scene, to the left of the ABC Club, you can see a giant sign with an eye with lines coming from it, as if God was looking down (no pun intended again) upon Jean Valjean.
I also believe that the only person in the cast I would've kept was Anne Hathaway, but I wouldn't really want her to beging with. They should've just hired the 25th Anniversary cast. They seemed more French, and even though I hated Nick Jonas playing in the 25th Anniversary as Marius, and believe me, he was belittled by the singing ability of everyone else in the cast, I would rather have him than what they pulled out of London's Doctor Who Fan Club for the movie. Also, even though Norm Lewis is black, his acting and singing was amazing and easily surpassed that of Russell Crowe. (Not trying to be racist). I believe that the casting should have casted people that look somewhat French, and Eddie Redmayne doesn't cut it.
Even though I did like the Enjolras in this movie, I still would've rather seen Ramin Karimloo play the role, he has more strength in his voice and a controlling temper. Needless to say, there's much much more I can complain about, but you get the idea.

Dec 31 - 04:52 PM

Marea McEwen

Chris you are not the only one who hated this . I DID TOO. I cannot get over it especially when it was rated so highly. Terrible !

Dec 31 - 02:49 PM

Marcus Siong

Adam Lambert also hated the movie

Dec 31 - 02:48 PM

Dana Pankuch

I was totally underwhelmed by Hugh Jackman. Made me wish for the good old days when professional singers would dub the singing.

Dec 31 - 01:29 PM