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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Misérables (Les) (1998)



Genre: historical drama
Director: Bille August
Release: 1998
Studio: Mandalay Pictures – TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG-13
MBiS score: 8.0/10


How Imperfect Is The Law When Laid Down By Men


LES MISÉRABLES opens in the French town of Digne circa 1795. Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson), a bitter ex-con travelling to Dijon to meet his parole officer, accepts food and lodging from the local bishop (Peter Vaughan) but chooses to flee during the night with the cleric’s silverware. The very next day, Valjean is arrested and brought back to the bishop who, instead of pressing charges, offers him a set of valuable candlesticks. Valjean is taken aback by his good fortune but the bishop remains unshaken. 'You are no longer a man of the Devil, he says to Valjean. With this silver, I have redeemed your soul.' How right (or wrong) will the bishop be? We will know in the fullness of time. With Geoffrey Rush (Javert), Uma Thurman (Fantine), Mimi Newman (Cosette at age 8), Claire Danes (Cosette), Hans Matheson (Marius Pontmercy), Christopher Adamson (Bertin), Timothy Barlow (Lafitte), David Birkin (Courfeyrac), Patsy Byrne (Toussaint), Kathleen Byron (Mother Superior), Gillian Hanna (Madame Thénardier), Shane Hervey (Gavroche), Jon Kenny (Thénardier), Reine Brynolfsson (Beauvais), James Saxon (Chabouillet) and David McKay (the informer).

The French regard Victor Hugo's novel LES MISÉRABLES as an artistic triumph and, of course, they are right. In addition to a hit show on Broadway, this eternal literary work has spawned at least six movies, Bille August's being the most recent. Without revealing too much – in truth, there is enough content in this film that I'm in no real danger of blowing it – I should add that Valjean will build a new life for himself but, in so doing, will come under the scrutiny of Javert, a policeman who had briefly known him in prison. These two and several other characters in Hugo's work – Fantine, Cosette, Marius, Gavroche – are now legendary in France and elsewhere. It's easy to figure out why: they are universal in nature and their actions raise essential questions about life and love, crime, punishment and redemption.

LES MISÉRABLES is not a flawless movie. It lacks a certain French touch with its international cast using British accents but remains a valid and very entertaining feature. The acting here is top-notch, highlighted by strong turns from well-known names. Liam Neeson is praiseworthy as Valjean, a quiet and basically good man who, unlike SWEENEY TODD, will try to move on after an unfortunate start in life. As for Geoffrey Rush, you will love his performance but despise his Javert, that obsessive, overzealous snoop who sees Valjean's arrest as a career achievement. Uma Thurman delivers a fine Fantine, a character subjected to the same opprobrium that Valjean endured in his times of misery. Clare Danes and Hans Matheson also shine for the young generation.

Technically speaking, LES MISÉRABLES cannot be faulted. Cinematography, costumes, set design and period detail complement the narrative very efficiently and, while the film's pacing may feel a bit sluggish at first, it picks up considerably as the drama unfolds. Due credit must be given to Bille August for his sober direction and to Basil Poledouris for his competent musical score, especially his theme for oboe. What bothered me was a noticeable omission (or cut) in the script. While Valjean was never charged for the Digne incident, you will hear Javert claiming more than once that he is a convict and a wanted man. But how can that be? The movie doesn't explain. In fact, Javert's ranting became such an annoyance for me that I did some research after seeing the movie to find out if I had missed something. From what I gathered, Valjean did not change his ways immediately after his encounter with the bishop. While still in Digne, he stole a piece of silver from a little boy and then decided to give it back… but couldn't because the theft had already been reported. Thus he was considered in breach of his parole… and Javert's claim was legally well-founded. Keep this in mind when you watch the film and everything will fit a lot better… I want you to be clear-headed and on your toes when that dynamite ending comes along.

Frankly, this is all you need to know. As an entertainment vehicle, August's work reminded me of those great Saturday afternoons I used to spend at the Palace theatre when I was young… hmmm… younger. They used to show grand old swashbucklers and epic films that would take you on a roller coaster of emotions and keep you on the edge of your seat. This is what you'll get with LES MISÉRABLES, so sit tight and leave your problems behind for a couple of hours. Yes, this is what cinema is all about.


MBiS

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