I Googled "Les Miz Songs" For A Title To This Post
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 10:18AM 
... so pretend it's called "I Dreamed A Dream... of Music!" or something thereabouts. Be creative, in the wake of my early morning total lack thereof. JA from MNPP here. As I made horrifically clear to everyone back when we played “Make Me Watch A Musical” a couple of years ago, I have… well, it’s more than a blind spot, more like a black hole when it comes to movie musicals. It’s been awhile since then and I haven’t much improved my standing with the genre, either. I’ve seen several of the Busby Berkley musicals and I really enjoyed them (Team Blondell! Ruby Keeler can suck an egg!), but then I suffered though – suffered being the operative word – Funny Girl to see who this Barbra Streisand character everybody talks about is all about and wow, not for me! I say this not to offend you Barbolytes (Streisfans? Babsilonians?) but to make it clear how Byzantine my pathologies towards the genre are. There’s no rhyme or reason.
Which is why I find myself writing this post today. A couple of years ago, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway lit up the stage at the Oscars, and me along with most of the rest of you lit up alongside it. What a hoot! And now they’re reuniting to make a musical, which is totally something I would watch. They have charisma that captivates me. The musical is Les Misérables, to be exact. My familiarity with Les Miz can be summed up by this post here. That’s the honest truth. Totally clueless. I’ve never even read Hugo’s book. The French Revolution is involved? Maybe somebody steals some bread? I don't know.
So I want a lesson. I’m asking you musical lovers to tell me what I need to know going into this. Gimme "The Gospel of Les Miz According To TFE Readers." How right or wrong is Hugh Jackman for the part he’s playing? How about Russell Crowe? And lovely Anne, can she be a Fantine, whatever the hell that is? Who could you see playing the parts better? And what about all the other roles, who would you cast? What are they going to have to do to adapt the source into a successful movie? I don’t know! I am asking you!
Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables, Russell Crowe, musicals
Reader Comments (43)
I think Hugh is a little too flashy for Jean ValJean, personally. Jean ValJean is a quiet, strong part, and whenever I see Hugh I think JAZZ HANDS! Anne will be a good Fantine, but I hope they're not going to beef up the part - she's only around for maybe a third of the show. Russell Crowe, if he can sing, can do Javert justice.
Emma Watson as Cosette, if she can sing, would not be bad. I don't know who they can get to play Eponine, I feel like it's the better part, even if Cosette is always the more popular one. Lea Michele killed On My Own on Glee, but I don't think that's the type of thing they're going for. (If they could de-age Lea Salonga, I would say go with that, she's the ultimate Eponine in my eyes.) Looks wise, Jessica Brown-Findlay is probably closest to the Eponine in my mind. I am going to LOOOOOL when Joe Jonas plays Marius, but it's good casting. Enjolras will be tricky. Sebastian Stan? This is tough because I don't know if any of these people can sing, and that's the most important thing.
I'm not one to laugh at ignorance, but I just love how clueless you are about this entire spectacle - I think if I was I'd be more excited for it. As it stands, I'm vaguely anxious but not much so and I still think Anne is all wrong for Fantine. In response to your who's who - that could take days, I will say that someone does steal some bread, and breaks a window doing it and ends up in jail for over a decade - that's Hugh. Fantine is a factory worker turned prostitute, and I sort of think that Catherine Zeta-Jones is an obvious fit for the role. Possibly a few years too old, but then - has that ever really been a problem before inin the world of movies.
I say DON'T get educated about the musical or the book, and keep that blindspot blind until the movie opens. I reckon you'll enjoy it more that way.
Les Miserables is still the best show I've seen on a Broadway stage, and I'm a total Broadway Baby. So here's the deal, JA - Jean Valjean who was sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread (he was hungry and poor, goshdarnit!). After nineteen years in prison, Inspector Javert lets him out on parole. A Bishop takes him in, and after Valjean steals some silver from him, the Bishop lies to save him and helps him start a new life. Eight years later, because this is a musical, Valjean has changed his name and become a wealthy factory owner and mayor of a seaside town. Fantine is one of his workers who gets into a fight because other workers find out she is sending money to Cosette, her secret illegitimate child who is living with the innkeepers Thenardier, who basically use her as a slave (because this is a musical). Valjean breaks up the fight, but the factory foreman throws Fantine out. Because this is a musical, she then becomes a prostitute and fights back against one of her abusive johns (or, as it takes place in France, one of her jeans). Javert arrests her, but Valjean orders him to let her go free, and takes her to a hospital, because this is a musical. Javert has been looking for Valjean for the past eight years, and believes he has found him. Unwilling to let an innocent man go to prison in his place, Valjean exposes himself and Javert sends him to prison. Having promised to look after Cosette for Fantine before she dies, Valjean asks Javert for a few more days of freedom, but, because this is a musical, when Javert refuses, Valjean knocks him out and runs away. He finds Cosette and buys her from the Thenardiers. Nine years later, the only person in government who is kind to the poor is on his deathbed. Here we meet the radicals Enjolras and Marius, as well as Eponine, who is in love with Marius and disguises herself as a boy to join the revolutionaries. When Marius and the now-grown-up Cosette see each other for the first time, they fall in love (because this is a musical), and Marius asks Eponine to find out who she is. Because she's a masochist (and because this is a musical), she agrees. Valjean and Cosette end up having to leave France to save their own lives, but not before the big revolution. Plot complications ensue in the second act (yes, all that is just Act One).
I would have preferred Anne Hathaway in the role of Eponine, but she'll be just fine as Fantine. Jackman and Crowe are actually pretty well-cast I think. Jackman always has a sense of decency to him, which is important for Valjean, and Crowe is all intensity and gruffness, perfect for Javert. It'll be fun to see who they cast as the scene-stealing Thenardiers (or if they end up cutting them out for time... as you can guess, this is a long frickin' show).
I don't know if this will scare you more...but Les Miz doesn't come from the "Funny Girl" old school of musical comedy but the 1980's British/Lloyd Weber/Pop Opera era. Lots of plot, sung dialogue (will they keep that?) and songs that stop the action to ruminate on everyone's lot in life. No dance numbers and all very, very self-serious. But it should make you cry a few times with all the people who drop dead in it.
The plot is basically a long, long chase between an "innocent" Hugh and the cop Russell who is obsessed with nabbing him. And there's a failed revolution going on at the same time. And a sad girl who never gets the guy but gets the better songs. As sad girls are wont to do.
You had me at the part about Valjean exposing himself, denny! Hugh Jackman's perfect! ;) LOL at all the "because this is a musical"'s. It's funny because it's true!
Good grief this is going to be a long movie. How long does the show last on stage? I imagine there's going to be a lot of cutting. Get it down to a solid 95 minutes, surely nobody will miss the excess. (cue heads exploding)
Emma watson is awful! And I'm a major potterhead! She has a very very long way in front of her and has to work really hard if she wants to improve and have a real post-potter career!
Hathaway is ALL SORTS of wrong for this role. Like laughably wrong. And I don't hate Hathaway by any stretch.
Fantine is a woman who has had life handed to her. She needs to be older, and look older. You need to know she is out of fucking options here--Hathaway is far too cute, and far too WASPy looking to pull this off. If they want Hollywood dream cast, Kate Winslet would have been a strong pick. If they were willing to step outside this box, Donna Murphy, Victoria Clark or Carolee Carmello would have knocked out "I Dreamed A Dream" in a much bigger way than Anne Hathaway could dream of.
JA - I actually mean that more literally than you might think - if I recall correctly, Valjean has his prisoner number tattooed on his chest and this is how he proves who he is!
Mac - You are exactly right - Donna Murphy would have KILLED as Fantine. Or, for that matter, why not Bernadette Peters? She's fragile but strong - perfect for Fantine. Someone else mentioned Catherine Zeta-Jones, which is actually a good choice IF she would be willing to seriously de-glam. It's funny, I always think of Fantine being older, but whenever I've seen the show, she always seems to be in her late 20s-early 30s, so Hathaway is actually around the right age, but she's far from being the best choice for the part.
I'm with JA. I don't know a damn thing about Les Mis, so please school us uninitiated. But I have to say that more of Anne Hathaway in anything doesn't thrill me at all. Hugh though? Absolutely! More of this, less of Real Steel.
I still think Jackman-Crowe-Hathaway are good casting choices as the three leads. Ok, they are huge movie stars but at least Hugh and Anne are also real musical singers (don't know anything about Crowe voice training) so the production seems much more accurate than Nine or Mamma Mia!. And I desperately want to see Anne in an high-level production where she can try all her talents four years after her breakthrough role in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED.
So... its not actually about the French Revolution, it's about the June Rebellion (which is also not the same thing as the Paris Commune uprising). The Parisians like to kill each other a lot, so it can be confusing, but French Revolution it is not.
Jackman is the perfect Jean Valjean, Anne can surely make a tragic Fantine as long as she refrains from using a British accent, and Crowe will do as Javert, I think. Cant wait to hear "Stars". You'll love it. One of the best musicals of all time. Helena Bonham Carter will be Madame Thenardier (thought I'd mention it, if you're into her). Please tell us how you like it next year!
JA, I know you have hopes for this movie being streamlined...but I don't see that happening lol it's an epic musical in the vein of Phantom of the Opera and it's looooooong (there are 54 songs in the complete score)
That being said it could be dynamite for the actors provided they can belt out the serious numbers. As far as casting goes I'm waiting any day now for them to announce Nick Jonas as Marius, he's played it on stage before so that would be a huge get
With all due respect Nathaniel....a lot of these posters don't know what they are talking about! This long...but, you asked for it!
Having read the book, and seen the musical 5 times on Broadway and listened to the french, London and broadway soundtracks for the past 15 years or so....I am NO expert...BUT
First of all...Anne Hathaway, in my opinion is over exposed and only due to get worse, um Catwoman? However, she is the right age and can certainly sing the role of Fantine. I have inside information that Tom Hooper was "blown away" by her and another auditionee...who I'll tell you about in a moment. Two film actresses that they didn't truly believe could sing the score. Both of these actresses ended up leaving the room in tears and amazement.
They were put through the entire libretto for each character and read all the scenes from the still forming script...yes, there is dialogue in this version. 2 - 3 hour auditions. I understand Jackman was also put through the whole audition process as well.
Fantine was 26 or 27 when she died in the book...so, regardless of what others say...Hathaway is the right age. Her looks are wrong, as Fantine was fair...a blond. She also barely ate in order to provide for Cossette, so she would be very waif-like...ahem....not Anne.
So...my bottom like is, I think she will be very good and get an Oscar nom. She is better then any other A-list actor they could have come up with, and, as I said...she nailed her audition and proved her metal....I can't and won't argue with that. This director knew what he wanted, he wants it to be the best movie ever....why would he compromise that? I don't believe he would.
Hugh Jackman....well, you HAVE to have a male star, that's a given...BUT....who else could do all that is required of him? What other film actor could actually play this role on stage? Jackman. Jean Valjean has to be a big man...capable of amazing strength. I the book, it is quite important. On stage, you can get past this...in the film, I think it has to be there. Jackman has that. And....we know he can sing it, and he has the ability to be tough without losing his vulnerability and he will work his buttocks off. I think he will be spectacular.
The third thing here is....Evan Rachel Wood was already offered the role of Eponine. She was the other film actor who simply blew Hooper away. She auditioned for both Fantine and Eponine. Her looks are right for Fantine, but she is too young! Eponine, which I think is the better role and will win the supporting oscar next year, is a street urchin, a boyish looking waif who sings one of the best songs of unrequitted love ever written.
Two weeks after the audition, Wood was hit in the mouth hard enough to dislodge teeth and now faces at least three months of reconstructive dental surgeries. She had to turn down the role due to the rehearsal schedule beginning almost immediately.
So...I know that Hooper was going to New York to look at stage actresses to play Eponine to replace Wood. I believe it was the week of October 10th. And that rumors of Lucy Hale and Emma Watson are just false. Also, Hayden Pannetierre. He has not expressed interest in them thus far t any rate.
I can tell you no one is getting in this without being a great singer....and actor. Hooper is NOT screwing around and this probably will win best picture next year. he will not leave a stitch out of place.
Russell Crowe is the only exception! He will need help in the studio to nail Stars....Javert's show stopping solo. But, other then that, I think he is acceptable as Javert.
Geoffrey Rush and Bonham- Carter will be hilarious. I have no problems with their casting either. he song doesn't require Bonham-Carter to sing any better then she did in Sweeney Todd. Just to be loud and crude and obnoxious. :0
That is my Les Miz report, and I am sticking to it.
Side note.....I said.. "leaving the room in tears and amazement"...I meant the people in the room, director, producer, casting etc.. In casting, we just say "the room" . :)
Gia, it was me JA writing this post, not Nat, he certainly knows more about Les Miz than I do, I have no doubt, but other than that little glitch your entire comment is AMAZING. Thanks for all that info! I'd love to know how you know all this insider scoop, but I suspect you'd have to kill me.
But y'all rock, seriously, I feel a thousand times more in the know now. Keep it coming, if there's more! Loving it.
Oops....sorry JA, DUH.... how did I miss that? Yes, you are correct, I cannot reveal sources...it kinda sucks, but who wants to get fired, or as you said...have to kill anyone? :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkWx1EhsO_M
Thanks Gia for sharing. Loved your inside goss! Everyone seems to have it in for Anne Hathaway ATM (that reaction to her accent in 'One Day' and a few Batman pics seemed way OTT to me) so hopefully she can hit this one out of the park. I'm keen to see who they cast as Marius - it's such a dreamy heroic role. Hopefully someone sexy who can sing! (Sorry Dominic Cooper - after Mamma Mia!, that's not you).
i was really obsessive abotu LES MIZ myself for a few years and i know i've been silent about these "official" announcements but that's only because i already talked up the unofficial announcements months ago ;) i think Jackman will be perfect in the lead role.
i'm fascinated to hear that Evan Rachel Wood wowed them though i'm alarmed to hear that she got hit and faces dental surgery -- how is this not in the news???
What an asshole. I really can't stand the pretense of ignorance as an obvious ploy to disguise contempt for the movie musical genre. It's not cool for critics to like anything so old fashioned as a musical, and young critics/bloggers feel they must dismiss anything that isn't ponderous, artsy fartsy drama. I knew there was a reason that I read your stuff and never read it again. Thanks for reminding me.
Have a supercalifragilisticexpialidoucious day.
Hathaway would have been a far better Eponine - tough, love-lorn, a bit spunky but ultimately tragic. I Dream a Dream is a great song, but the role of Fontine is one long spiralling slog.
Les Miz is the first 'big' musical I ever saw - I was 11 and Colm Wilkinson took a huge production of the show to Dublin and the music still moves me. I've seen it five times, though there was a gap of avout 9 years between the last time I saw it in New York in 2001 and when I saw it in London last year. I was honestly shocked at how badly paced and borderline hysterical the show now seemed on stage. Maybe my taste just improved as I got older, but this is definitely a show which would benefit from re-balancing the various plot elements and slicing half an hour. The entire prologue could easily be sliced down for example. I think the other casting decisions are the moment are great, and I'm even hopeful that Tom Hooper is in a strong enough place both commercially and artistically to be able to work on the show (unlike Joel Schumacher's interminable Phantom rubbish)
Ian, Hathaway is too old for Eponine.
Nat....Oh goodness, the tooth thing was all over the news. It apparently happened in Paris. Terrible luck, non?
Jonathan, what is your problem bloke?
Gia, I am sure one of the actresses that " ended up leaving the room in tears and amazement ", was definitely Kirsten Dunst. She has repeatedly said Les Miserables is her favorite musical, and the soundtrack to that musical is on her ipod. Also, I believe Carey Mulligan or Jessica Biel would have tried to audition.
Anne Hathaway receives so much hate because she is one of the few A-list talents that is actually a triple threat . She is young, multi-talented, versatile, and she keeps out of trouble. Anne is in good company because Gwyneth Paltrow & Barbara Streisand receive the same form of hatred ( most of it is based on jealously ) . Notice it is only the ladies that receive this type of profound hatred- never the men. Mel Gibson ( Robert Downey Jr recently gave him a shout-out ) , Woody Allen, and Roman Polanski are still respected and liked within the film industry.
Mac, seriously, get a grip, Kate Winslet is only an actress- not a singer and definitely not a live performer . Trust me, Winslet knows her limits.
P.S. I wish Patrick Wilson was involved in this production. He is not an A-list film star like Hugh Jackman ( or Russell Crowe ) . But he has the looks ( he favors a young Paul Newman ) , charisma, and triple threat talent to go head-to-head with Hugh Jackman. Why wasn't he cast as Javert . Oh yeah, Wilson is currently starring in that awful CBS drama. Also, Michael C. Hall is a triple threat talent that would have been amazing as Javert or even as Monsieur Thenardier.
Jen, maybe anne hathaway gets "this kind of hate" (she also has major fans who truly believe she can do no wrong like nathaniel himself and others on this board) because she is over exposed, over rated and oversold as if she were streep, mirren, blanchett, or the second coming of leigh or kate hepburn.
She never again delivered another performance like rachel getting married, and still people claim she will win an Oscar for every single new movie she makes.there were people who were sure she would win for love and other drugs before anyone had even seen the movie and we all know how that turned out. Then people claimed she would win for catwoman because of the ledger situation, and for one day because of the mulligan/director situation.and apparently one day is one major embarassment-the movie sucks, her accent is atrocious and her performance bad. But people still pat her on the back and keep on forgiving her for everybad move while believing she is on her way to becoming one of the greatest ever!
I dont think she is the best in her age group and I believe she faces serious competition. Williams is, I believe, better than her and has a much better and much stronger body of work. Compare their CVs, is an embarassment for hathaway. Mulligan has been on the public eye for a lot less longer and already has a better and stronger body of work, and a much more solid history in theater-and can actually do accents, something hathaway cant do!
While hathaway can sing, that does not mean she is a good liver performance! The Oscars would tell us otherwise! But her fans believe everything she does is wonderful, flawless, perfect and amazing, and keep on believing on what they want to, and her very strong PR team oversells her and people buy it!
I also believe many people feel that the whole best of her generation label came too soon for her, after one performance; one performance which she never managed to live up to. She makes horrible choices (bride wars) delivers laughably bad performances (Alice in w), was an unbelievably bad host at the oscars and people keep on forgiving her and claiming she is the best of her generation because they seem to like her, because she is relatable, because of ubiquity, but not because of her work! Other actresses less warm, cute, sweet and relatable wouldnt get this same treatment!
Gia -- sorry. somehow i missed the evan thing. occasionally i drop out of thew new cycle when i'm busy and since it all happens so quicklya nd becomes "old news" so quickly, if you drop out for two or three days you really miss major stories ;) basically every day you don't see a link roundup here, i've not heard THE LATEST UP TO THE SECOND news ;)
Amanda -- wow, you really dislike Hathaway! I think 3 years is not enough time to expect her to live up to Rachel Getting Maried for which she had a) a world class director b) a great role and c) no pretense of being something "for the masses".
and that combo has not come again. but it's only been 3 years. Hathaway's problem in the long run may be that she started (movie) life as a blockbuster star (princess diaries) and so there's this mainstream element that doesn't often offer up great roles. I think somewhere within Love & Other Drugs there was a good movie struggling to get out and that good movie was Gyllenhaal & Hathaway's romantic drama... if only the movie hadn't tried to be 10 different movies. Yes, it's a terrible movie but i don't think she's remotely bad in it. In fact i thought she was very good given the complete mess surrounding her. but i agree she was godawful in Alice in Wonderland.
Nathaniel, no worries, Amanda is always hating on Anne Hathaway. So, it is nothing new their. I never said she was the greatest of her generation. It is too early to tell. But, Hathaway is multi-talented. She is one of the few young A-list movie stars than can go from film to stage ( she received great reviews for Shakespeare in the Parks' Twelfth Night ). As for live performing, Anne is absolutely incredible on SNL. She shines in almost every SNL skit. And any actress that can do wonderful impressions of Judy Garland, Katie Holmes, Kate Middleton, & Mary Poppins in a live setting accounts for major talent . Also, while hosting SNL, very rarely do I see Hathaway read the SNL cue cards- that is not easy to do. Trust me she is better at hosting SNL than: Emma Stone, Tina Fey, Helen Mirren ( she was out of place ), Jeff Bridges ( awful !) , Bobby De Niro ( painful ! ), Jim Carrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, & Reese Witherspoon. When Hathaway did that very live song/dance/duet number with Hugh Jackman at the Oscars , their are few A-list movie stars that could pull that off- especially at the Oscars in front of many of the top movers & shakers of Hollywood .
I have not seen One Day, but I did respect Anne's British accent in Becoming Jane .
As for the Catwoman role, Hathaway had to read and screen test for the role ( just like every other actress ) , and the screen test was opposite Christian Bale ( with Chris Nolan directing ). Nolan's brilliant cinematographer Wally Pfister ( he filmed the screen tests ) praised Anne's screen test performance. We all know Bale is a straight shooter ( and he doesn't suffer fools ) , if Anne gave an awful screen test performance she would not have been hired.
As for MIchelle Williams , she plays the same roles , and has given very similar performances. Because of this, right now, I would not label Ms. Williams as the best of her generation. Plus I still do not believe her as Marilyn Moore- not the voice, not the look, and not the mannerisms. It feels like a young girl playing dress up.
"Mac, seriously, get a grip, Kate Winslet is only an actress- not a singer and definitely not a live performer . Trust me, Winslet knows her limits."
No need to be rude with the seriously get a grip part--it's a message board, lighten up. I would rather have a recording studio-enhanced Winslet performance than Hathaway's immutably bubbliness. And who brought up live performance? It's a movie musical, it doesn't have the aesthetic of live performance at all.
Or a comment section, not a message board. Sorry, I'm hungover at work. Bare with my thought process.
Well jen, keira has had raves for her stage work in London! Carey has years and years of theater raves under her belt! Scar Jo has a tony! So hathaway isnt the only one, and people always mention the very same Shakespeare @ the park episode. I dont follow SNL but she was embarassing @ the Oscars. And her becoming jane accent was laughable!
I dont think she is bad but I do think she is limited and extremely over rated!
Ok nate its only been 3 years since rachel! Look ar what mulligan and williams have done in these same three years!
but all of this is moot since Kirsten Dunst is the best of that generation. ;)
(i'm only partially kidding. I don't think any of them can lay claim to "best of her generation"... unlike Gosling and Fassbender who have DEFINITELY pulled ahead of the pack there are a lot of women in that general age range late 20s early 30s who are still hotly contesting the "best" part. AND THANK GOD FOR THAT.
Amanda, bless you, continue to hate Anne Hathaway I always say, when people are not hating you , there is a problem. Hatred is very blinding and your judgement is clouded.
mac, I wasn't being disrespectful to you. A prerequisite for a thespian doing a musical , should be singing talent. I just don't like seeing non-singers starring in musicals - example Whoopi Goldberg, Meryl Streep, and yes, Cher. That is what hurt the movies like, Nine, Mama Mia, and much of Moulin Rouge for me. Mac, I apologize, Kate Winslet is not a singer - bubbly personality or not. Obviously, , after Gia stated Anne Hathaway aced her audition for Fantine - she wasn't acting with a bubbly personality.
Nathaniel , I have the utmost respect for Gosling, Fassbender, but I would add James McAvoy and maybe Joseph Gordon-Levitt to your list. And, Tom Hardy is coming strong. Hardy has much of the intensity & watchability of a young Marlon Brando.
I just don't see the Kirsten Dunst love.
In a very proper nice tone of voice, I'm gonna say this again....no one who couldn't have actually sung the role on Broadway/West End was being auditioned and/or taken seriously. It is just the way Hooper wanted it. He is taking this very seriously. If you couldn't throw down...I mean throw down, then you didn't get past the "thank you very much" stage regardless of WHO you were..
Kirsten Dunst, cannot sing this libretto....neither could Kate Winslet or Carey Mulligan, though they have acceptable voices with a bit of auto tune.....they are not singers. Carey Mulligan, Emily Blunt and Keira Knghtly....all cinematic singers only! Yes, it's a movie...but, he doesn't want it fluffed and folded. It will have a multi-platinum soundtrack. How embarrassing if the actors are enhanced and edited and not capable of repeating the performance live? Do you see? Good for Hooper for demanding more!
Also, Wood did not play Eponine "spunky" that IS live theatre musical shtick. No, he wants this gritty and real....with singing. She is a tortured little thing, whose life is shite so she retreats into a fantasy world where she is happy in love..."On My Own". My understanding is that Wood stopped everyone in their tracks and had them rethinking the role entirely. I believe I heard that Wood had to fight to get in the door, and then proceeded to do the entire Fantine performance and immediately followed that with Epoinine and blew the room away.
The thing was Hathaway too, got that it was a really messed up time and these people were living rather hellish lives, especially Fantine. So...as I said, not a Hathaway fan...but, how can I argue with an Oscar winning director who says...she was stunning and nailed the role?
Read the book. It's bleak. That's what makes Jean Valjean so special. He rises above it at every step. Every time he is kicked to the ground he rises.....and is ultimately willing to give his life for his adopted daughter's happiness....."Bring Him Home. " It is an amazing story and I do not doubt for one minute that the movie and Jackman will win the Oscar. Also, whoever plays Eponine will become a star. The supporting actress Oscar will be Hathaways unless Eponine nails the coffin lid on that. It is the better role.
Sorry for doing this again. I am up to my elbows in Les Miz.....carry on!
Oh hell, I really wish Evan Rachel Wood could do this. Is there no hope for her? If she won the audition, she should be allowed to at least make the choice. If she's that committed to the role, I think she'd say, screw the surgery, I'll do it without teeth! Seriously. She has always seemed really tough to me.
And all the Anne back and forth just makes me giggle. It doesn't matter in the least if Anne Hathaway is a good actress (and yes, I think she is), because Anne has something far more difficult to come by, and that's charisma. She's got "it."
She made the choice. ERW already passed on it. It's not debatable. He's already seen other choices. Stay tuned.
Tough is one thing, but this will be a huge commitment! 5 months minimum, rehearsals, shooting. Soundtrack recording, and then Oscar season starting in the fall of next year. You have to remember you can screw up your health for life if you're not careful. Nothing is worth that.
Replacing teeth takes months from what I understand.
The first great problem is that Les Mis has one of the most rich, strong and beautiful music scores ever made with no spoken dialogues, but all of them said with music. And what a music, oh my God!
The second great problem is that these songs - each of them - have been sung by the most incredible voices all over the world for the last 25 years. Colm Wilkinson, Patti Lupone, Alfie Boe, Michael Ball, Lea Salonga, Norm Lewis, Frances Rufelle are just a few of them.
No matter it is a film, can Hathaway, Crowe et caterva face this reality? Remember Nick Jonas in Les Mis 25th Anniversary Concert. Puta que me pariu!
JA maybe you shoud try to be a critic in any other area than show business, football, fashion, dogs races, tattoos... And Les Mis has no relation with the French Revolution but with the Industrial Revolution.
[sorry for my poor english]
The older musicals like Funny Girl are a rare breed. Streisand not only lit the screen but she blew it up at the time. There was NOTHING like her back in the 60's. To carry a BIG film like that as a debut with such grace, beauty and gigantic talent and make it all look natural (no Streep acting 101 here) was amazing. Liking or not liking musicals isn't the point. The musical sequences were either as the performer or used to heighten the emotional level of the character. It's no wonder so many young actresses, entertainers now give her her due.
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Sorry to go back to this....but....I consider this bad news...Hooper going back to ERWood to play Eponine, BUT if she passes again, which she probably will......He is looking at Taylor Swift. Yes, I said that.
He is working with her on the role.
I think a lit of people here who are complaining about Anne Hathaway forget that fantine is supposed to be very young, which is what makes her character so much more tragic. She's only in her twenties but life's been so cruel she's lost everything. While I love Bernadette peters and Donna Murphy and other similar choices, and thinkthry would be superb vocally, Fantine needs to be young so she can convey that sense of lost innocence, of having the prime of her life stolen from her. I love Anne hathaway's voice and I think that-with some makeup, because yes she does look too glamorous-she will be great as Fantine.