Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Les Mis film adaptation

  • 17-08-2012 10:19am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭


    So, it's nearly upon us - five months to go. I know I'm going to hate it already - Anne Hathaway CAN'T SING. Check out the trailer to hear her butchering "I Dreamed a Dream". But I know I'll go and see it regardless. Hugh jackman should be excellent as Jean Valjean. Have no idea whether Russell Crowe has a note in his head or not.

    Cast list for anyone not familiar with it:

    Jean Valjean - Hugh Jackman
    Fantine - Anne Hathawy
    Cosette - Amanda Seyfried
    Javert - Russell Crowe
    Eponine - Samantha Barks
    Marius - Eddie Redmayne
    Thenardier - Sacha Baron-Cohen
    Madame Thenardier - Helena Bonham Carter
    Enjolras - Aaron Tveit

    And Colm Wilkinson makes a little cameo as the Bishop of Digne :)



Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭cailinoBAC


    I used to really look forward to films of musicals, but not so much any more. Still, I hope it is ok and I am looking forward to it. Hugh Jackman should be good at least.


  • Registered Users Posts: 96 ✭✭xxmeabhxx


    I really wish they hired more decent singers fro this :( Les mis is all about the music and judging from the trailer the music is seriously going to suffer in quality because of the cast. Anne Hathaway can't sing and I hate that loads of the people commenting on the video think she's great just because she's using a load of vibrato. It just doesn't compare to Ruthie Henshall or Patti LuPone. On the plus side, The Thenardiers should be great :) I've been ranting and raving about this since I've seen the trailer but I'm still curious to see it when it comes out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    I saw Daphne Rubin Vega as Fantine on Broadway. The entire time she was on stage my mind kept saying "die b*tch, die" - she's a pretty annoying character anyway, for someone who's supposed to be sad. I Dreamed a Dream should not really be a pretty song though in recordings it is. Give Anne Hathaway a chance, to be honest I'd rather a better actress than a better singer in the role.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭Honey-ec


    athtrasna wrote: »
    To be honest I'd rather a better actress than a better singer in the role.

    But there are thousands of women out there who can do both. I think that's the frustration most people feel about this kind of casting.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 14 LanceStrong


    A movie based on a musical based on a movie based on a book?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭cailinoBAC


    Is the musical based on a movie? I assumed it was based directly on the book.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭Honey-ec


    cailinoBAC wrote: »
    Is the musical based on a movie? I assumed it was based directly on the book.

    It is. Cameron Mackintosh actually thanked Victor Hugo for being out of copyright at the end of "Hey Mr. Producer".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,264 ✭✭✭✭Alicat


    I'm totally going to see this :)

    I think everyone's being a bit harsh on Anne Hathaway. Alright, she's not the best from what we've seen in the trailer, but I've heard her sing before and she definitely can sing! I'm waiting to hear more of her in the movie before I make a judgement.

    If anything, I'm worried about Amanda Seyfried. She can certainly sing but her voice grates on me! It's so high and whiny!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,411 ✭✭✭✭woodchuck


    I'm looking forward to this too... I've never seen les mis, so it's definitely better than nothing for me!

    (And Hugh Jackman! Yes yes...)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭Honey-ec


    Alicat wrote: »
    She can certainly sing but her voice grates on me! It's so high and whiny!

    Perfect for Cosette, so!

    Mst pain-in-the-arsey musical character ever, imo :mad:


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 5 catgirl2012


    looking forward to this!


  • Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭aoifeisabelle


    This should be excellent!


  • Registered Users Posts: 40 jeanadamz


    I bet I would like to see this. A powerful casting and a true classical story. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 642 ✭✭✭Space Dog


    Looks amazing. This should do really well at the Oscars. Hathaway has that Oscar for Supporting pretty much in the bag.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭Evenstevens


    I can't wait to see this. If you've seen the DVD of Hugh Jackman in Oklahoma you'll see how great he is. He is just one of those exceptional all round performers.
    Afraid to see Russell Crowe sing Stars though I love to watch him act. I love Phillip Quast's version.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭SparkySpitfire


    Clips have come out on Youtube, and I swear to god, Russell Crowe sounds exactly like Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia! It's atrocious! From the sound of the clips also, the orchestra is very low. They're trying to make it more realistic it seems, but with the power of the music gone I'm afraid the songs will suffer for it. :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭Evenstevens


    First reviews not looking too bad. The film is 160mns long and we're seeing 1 or 2min clips so I think it's hard to judge. RC is not a great singer at all which is a shame because Stars is such a beautiful song but the rest of them seem to be getting really good reviews on the singing front. I'm going to reserve judgement.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/first-night-review-les-misrables-directed-by-tom-hooper-and-starring-anne-hathaway-8390395.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 451 ✭✭AndrewJD


    Reviews seem mixed, I've read a few ones that trashed it, and a few that thought it was incredible.

    Now I'm a person that likes his orchestra loud in the theatre anyway, so I'm maybe overly sensitive, but it sounds very quiet in the advert mix anyway, like regular background music. For me, the orchestrations (particularly the strings) are part of what makes Les Mis so good as a piece of music. It seems a shame to make it really low to make the film a bit more realistic and gritty.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,190 ✭✭✭Dublinstiofán


    Very much looking forward to this. Hopefully it won't be disappointing. If its on par with the
    Phantom of the Opera movie I'll be satisfied enough.
    woodchuck wrote: »
    I'm looking forward to this too... I've never seen les mis, so it's definitely better than nothing for me.

    (And Hugh Jackman! Yes yes...)

    On a side note id have a read up about the story line and charachters if its your first time seeing it as I don't think its an easy one to understand if you know nothing about it. Heck
    I was in a production of it and didnt really know what was going on until I got really into it
    long after the production was over.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,411 ✭✭✭✭woodchuck


    On a side note id have a read up about the story line and charachters if its your first time seeing it as I don't think its an easy one to understand if you know nothing about it. Heck
    I was in a production of it and didnt really know what was going on until I got really into it
    long after the production was over.

    Thanks for the tip :) I have the book downloaded, but I'm not sure I'll have it read before I see it. Or is the musical very different to the book anyway?

    Maybe a synopsis will have to do :P


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,704 ✭✭✭G.K.


    I'd say there's a decent amount of difference between the two.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 309 ✭✭tomboylady


    I love the show and adore the music, but I'm really not looking forward to the movie I have to admit. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised when I do eventually see it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭Honey-ec


    woodchuck wrote: »
    Thanks for the tip :) I have the book downloaded, but I'm not sure I'll have it read before I see it. Or is the musical very different to the book anyway?

    Maybe a synopsis will have to do :P

    The book is very, very hard going. I wouldn't bother, tbh.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭SparkySpitfire


    2 days to go...! :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭Honey-ec


    Going on Sunday, can't wait.

    Seriously, somewhere should do a sing-along screening of this for losers like me. They'd make a killing...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,704 ✭✭✭G.K.


    Will go and see it simply because I love the show, and am in it atm too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭SparkySpitfire




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭Evenstevens


    Honey-ec wrote: »
    Going on Sunday, can't wait.

    Seriously, somewhere should do a sing-along screening of this for losers like me. They'd make a killing...

    Amen to that. I'd be there. Tickets booked. Raring to go now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,190 ✭✭✭Dublinstiofán


    Going tonight cant wait, been waiting a long time hopefully patience is rewarded.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,608 ✭✭✭✭The Princess Bride


    Honey-ec wrote: »
    Going on Sunday, can't wait.

    Seriously, somewhere should do a sing-along screening of this for losers like me. They'd make a killing...

    Snap ^^^
    I was going to go by myself today-4pm showing -I reckoned there'd be nobody there but me and my vocal chords.

    Damn,but had to work late and now I'll have to share cinema with others tomorrow:mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭Ilovelucy


    Fitting cameo at the end.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    I loved almost all of it.

    Russell Crowe..well the casting director should never be allowed near another musical if they thought he could sing Javert. Woeful. He absolutely butchered Stars, my favourite ever song, I wanted to cover my ears. When I get the DVD that will most definitely be muted! Acting was strong but in a sung through musical that's not enough.

    Hugh Jackman did very well. Huge transformations physically and otherwise between the different phases of his life.

    Oscars are well deserved. Was wary of Anne Hathaway but wow, she's the first Fantine I actually cared about and I've seen the show 3 times. In fact when I saw it on Broadway Daphne Rubin Vega (Original Mimi from Rent) was playing the part and after about 60 seconds of her being on stage my inner voice was saying "die Fantine die so I can enjoy the show".

    Really liked Samantha Barks as Eponine, not a character I've loved in the stage show (along with Fantine). Not so enamoured with Amanda Seyfried though.

    The large group numbers being put into context on the streets etc brought new emotion to them. I cried at most of them, wow. And as for Empty Chairs at Empty Tables..heartbreaking. Special shout out for cheeky chappy Gavroche, stole my heart.

    Nice cameos by a legendary Valjean close to our hearts too.

    Think that's about as much as I can say spoiler free ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭SparkySpitfire


    athtrasna wrote: »
    Russell Crowe..well the casting director should never be allowed near another musical if they thought he could sing Javert. Woeful. He absolutely butchered Stars, my favourite ever song, I wanted to cover my ears. When I get the DVD that will most definitely be muted! Acting was strong but in a sung through musical that's not enough.

    This. I love Russell, but dear god, why? He has the acting chops, but that's just not enough for the role of Javert.

    Enjolras... absolute roiiiiide :D

    My favourite song was "A Heart Full of Love", and it's not usually one I like to listen to on the iPod!

    I usually dislike Anne Hathaway but I have to say... stellar performance.

    Loved most of it, but I just wasn't enamoured with "Bring Him Home" :( Others may feel differently, perhaps I'm too indoctrinated into the school of Wilkinson/Boe :p

    Anyway, it seemed to be received positively, the cinema gave a cheesy applause at the end! :p

    Did anyone else actually feel the urge to applaud for the first while? I had to stop myself from doing it at the beginning when I realised I was in a cinema :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,608 ✭✭✭✭The Princess Bride


    I thoroughly enjoyed this-I almost forgot I was in the cinema,especially as all the seats in front of me were empty.
    I thought all of the actors justified their casting-including Crowe.
    Having seen the stage show twice before-in a strange way,I felt he captured the raw/cruel qualities of Javert's character,better than most could.

    The music was amazing throughout,and I felt as emotional as I had at the stage productions.

    If I were to find fault,
    I disliked the boy's accent, which wouldn't have been out of place in Oliver Twist.
    Also-felt the Santa character was perhaps ,unnecessary.Not sure whether this was in the book??
    only minor points,however.

    Bonham-Carter and Cohen provided a necessary injection of humour as the Thénardiers-
    although a bit OTT at times.Definitely the only scenes that didn't transfer as well from stage to the big screen for me.

    Overall,will go and see again,and would recommend to anybody.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    London accents have always been used by productions of Les Miserables to identify the lower classes. Nothing unusual about that.

    Crowe's acting is strong but not enough IMO. It's a sung through show, and Stars is such a key song. I saw a review which praised his singing but "It was such a pity all of his songs were written so horribly out of tune " ;)

    Can't wait to see it again though.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭Evenstevens


    This. I love Russell, but dear god, why? He has the acting chops, but that's just not enough for the role of Javert.

    Enjolras... absolute roiiiiide :D

    My favourite song was "A Heart Full of Love", and it's not usually one I like to listen to on the iPod!

    I usually dislike Anne Hathaway but I have to say... stellar performance.

    Loved most of it, but I just wasn't enamoured with "Bring Him Home" :( Others may feel differently, perhaps I'm too indoctrinated into the school of Wilkinson/Boe :p

    Anyway, it seemed to be received positively, the cinema gave a cheesy applause at the end! :p

    Did anyone else actually feel the urge to applaud for the first while? I had to stop myself from doing it at the beginning when I realised I was in a cinema :D

    I'd have to agree with you on Bring Him Home. I though Hugh Jackman was fantastic overall but that was a bit of an anti-climax for me and it's such a stunning song. Alfie Boe's version is exquisite.

    Also agree with you on Enrojlas. Beautiful voice. WOuld have been a great Marius.

    Pleasantly surprised by Russell Crowe I have to say. He doesn't have the best voice and Stars probably deserves a better singer but overall I really enjoyed him in the role.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭SparkySpitfire


    Oh my god... I totally forgot about
    the Santa part... oh Jesus :pac: That was... interesting.

    Anyone know if it's relevant or just added in for the movie?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 615 ✭✭✭Bishop_Donal


    Can't remember when last a film kept me fully absorbed for over 2.5 hours. Thought Samantha Barks was particularly impressive (also thought she was terrific in Oliver a few weeks ago).

    Well worth seeing IMO.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,856 ✭✭✭ratmouse


    This. I love Russell, but dear god, why? He has the acting chops, but that's just not enough for the role of Javert.

    Enjolras... absolute roiiiiide :D

    My favourite song was "A Heart Full of Love", and it's not usually one I like to listen to on the iPod!

    I usually dislike Anne Hathaway but I have to say... stellar performance.

    Loved most of it, but I just wasn't enamoured with "Bring Him Home" :( Others may feel differently, perhaps I'm too indoctrinated into the school of Wilkinson/Boe :p

    Anyway, it seemed to be received positively, the cinema gave a cheesy applause at the end! :p

    Did anyone else actually feel the urge to applaud for the first while? I had to stop myself from doing it at the beginning when I realised I was in a cinema :D


    Yes! I felt exactly the same with the need for applause!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,070 ✭✭✭OU812


    Saw this the other night. Still replaying it in my head.

    I've seen LM three times on stage & once on film & every time I end up weepy eyed at the end. :)

    Didn't really warm to Cossette as a grown up. I'm not a particular fan of the atress who played her & that possibly coloured my judgement.

    I thought the barricade scenes weren't as dramatic as in the theatre. Too confined Samantha Berks was wonderful but I felt under used. Hugh Jackman was perfect in the role, Russell Crowe was woefully miscast (but I can't think of anyone else in the role).

    Amanda Hathaway though. Wow. Just WOW. She was so wonderful in it. The boy played Oliver last week in Dublin & has played that role in LM on the west end for a couple of years now (working form the age of nine apparently).

    The thing I love about these big screen adaptations is the opportunity to flesh out the characters by using additional sets or background. It was the same with Phantom.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 394 ✭✭hayser


    OU812 wrote: »
    Saw this the other night. Still replaying it in my head.

    I've seen LM three times on stage & once on film & every time I end up weepy eyed at the end. :)

    Didn't really warm to Cossette as a grown up. I'm not a particular fan of the atress who played her & that possibly coloured my judgement.

    I thought the barricade scenes weren't as dramatic as in the theatre. Too confined Samantha Berks was wonderful but I felt under used. Hugh Jackman was perfect in the role, Russell Crowe was woefully miscast (but I can't think of anyone else in the role).

    Amanda Hathaway though. Wow. Just WOW. She was so wonderful in it. The boy played Oliver last week in Dublin & has played that role in LM on the west end for a couple of years now (working form the age of nine apparently).

    The thing I love about these big screen adaptations is the opportunity to flesh out the characters by using additional sets or background. It was the same with Phantom.



    A boy played Fantine? Is it after she cuts her hair? Not being smart, genuinely curious to know.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,171 ✭✭✭kevin12345


    hayser wrote: »
    A boy played Fantine? Is it after she cuts her hair? Not being smart, genuinely curious to know.

    I'd say they were talking about Gavroche. :)


Advertisement