Janis P.
Having seen the Les Miserables movie trailer a few times now, we are starting to get really excited… so much so that we felt obliged to create a new category for “older kids” so we could share it here! The film stars Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, which should be more than enough draw for the mums to grab a sitter and head out to the cinema, but there is much more to the film than we expected. The creators of the Les Miserables movie wanted to capture the energy and raw emotion of the musical, so the performances are ‘live’ instead of pre-recorded in a studio with the actors then lip-synching. It doesn’t sound like much, but this ‘live movie’ production is a real first, and the results look incredible. Listen carefully to some of the performances in the trailer – with Fantine (Anne Hathaway) singing while acting, there is a vulnerability to her, a frailty that you just would have had with her mouthing the words to a pre-recorded track.
Here’s a little featurette about the cast singing live:
Les Miserables Movie Synopsis
Les Misérables is the motion-picture adaptation of the beloved global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the globe and still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 27th year. Helmed by The King’s Speech’s Academy Award®-winning director, Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman, Oscar® winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, with Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption—a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.
On January 11th 2013, the world’s longest-running musical brings its power to the UK big screen in Tom Hooper’s sweeping and spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale. With international superstars and beloved songs—including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and “On My Own”—Les Misérables, the show of shows, is now reborn as the cinematic musical experience of a lifetime.
Looking forward to it? Leave us a comment and tell us which scene or song is your favourite!
