Saturday, February 2, 2013

Appreciating the Musical Phenomenon LES MISERABLES

How I became appreciative with this kind of movie where in fact I am so bored of the musical play and not even avid fan of it? I am not even interested to comprehend the stories of any broadway shows or in movies. But not with this Les Miserables in which I know this is one of the very popular musical play or even a movie. Only to realized that one of our fellowmen Lea Salonga  was the cast who played as Eponine and later Fantine. Just because of Lea Salonga's powerful voice, as I remember the song of On My Own became remarkable to the public until it became one of the favorite songs by many. Unfortunately I missed the chance of watching Les Miserables when I was still young wherein Lea Salonga was involved. Since I don't have any idea of what is the story all about, I really thought that Eponine or even Fantine are the main starring of the film. Nevertheless that kind of role had given the great impact on the story. I just can't even avoid the fact on comparing Lea Salonga to the other performers who have played her role too. Now that I am matured enough to understand the story of Les Miserables, I became so much interested to the extent that I can now relate on their acting and singing skills in which I was never bored on every single scene even if the performers are singing in solo basis like they were having conversation or monologue then I am now trying to understand the main point of what he or she is singing about.


   As I understand the whole message of the story it reflects on how people suffered during the ashes of war in French Revolution which makes me interest as well to know more about that era. I can't imagine the times of famine wherein some people doesn't have a choice but to steal food for them to survive though unfortunately if they will be caught in the act then they will be imprisoned and sometimes they will be punished. I realized how it became Les Miserables that almost all people are in complicated situation wherein they are encountering starvation, depression, slavery and other more that can make them torture physically, mentally and emotionally.


     Not so familiar with Hugh Jackman though my boyfriend was surprised when he saw him on this film. He only  realized that he can sing too while acting. Even though I am not much with this actor I still find his performance as versatile and impressive hoping that he will be awarded as Best Actor in Academy awards. The story of his life as Jean Valjean made me realize that there is still possible for you to succeed and survived from the poverty that he is experiencing. Likewise Jean was able to save the life of Cosette as he adopted the poor little girl as he promised Fantine to take care of her. 


         Anne Hathaway was able to deliver the great impact on how she projects her emotions in acting skills and can transform herself in different facial expression or aura. As I believe that Anne was able to meet the most important demands of the film, I now realized on how she became one of the most popular celebrities in hollywood. She is indeed a versatile actress  in which I could see the effort she brings when she singing and acting at the same time, I could really imagine how complicated it is to perfect that way. That is the reason why I am sure that there were many viewers who became too much affected of her role to the extent that others even cried as I've read in forums. It was really a great performance that I've ever seen to Anne. I myself became affected of the story that happened to her as Fantine. Thinking of how she can survive of being a responsible mother to Cosette by sacrificing too much to the extent of giving up her own dignity. Seems like her life is full of misery  until she died which I believe Fantine doesn't deserve it. Because of her performance in Les Miserables I am now starting to be a fan of Anne Hathaway and I could see and feel her professionalism on how she really love her work as an actress. I never thought that she can really perform that way but of course I knew it already that she is indeed a professional actress because of other films that I've seen already. 
      
       Since I am still clueless about the story of the whole film, I really thought this little Cosette will be having her exposure to the entire movie because it was like she is the symbol or part of the logo in Les Miserables that is being advertise everywhere especially in posters and other print ads. I may think that she is the symbol of the misery as a child during the french revolution. Her role as Cosette reminds me of Cinderella for being an orphan that is a victim of slavery who have grown up with fears. I am also affected of Cosette's situation that she is encountering if she feels safe all the time. I am wondering how come when Valjean wants to rescue Cosette, the Thenardier doesn't want to let go of the poor little kid as if they are affectionate and have compassion with Cosette. I was glad when Cosette was rescued and now safe with Valjean. It was really funny on how Mr. Thenardier call Cosette as Colette that is obviously not much familiar with this kid whom they didn't really take care but abuse her. Now that Cosette is safe I am sure of the next scene that she won't be in the same situation of the misery as her mother Fantine had experienced. Isabelle Allen has her potential too in singing and acting skills which I hope she can improve more and she will be having more exposure in musical plays and film. Of course I would like to see her more but no longer in as a kid that is only behave, hoping that she can sing and act more and more. 

    While watching the film I totally appreciate and impressed of Russell Crowe's performance to the extent that for me he is the one who has the most powerful voice of the entire movie, the voice was clear and I understand the message that he wants to bring on the story. But then upon reading the comments about his performances there were so many complains on his singing skills as they find his voice as weakest among all the performers of this film. Well why not in my case? I have no negative comments to his performances as I think it was great. His role as Javert is very challenging and never been bored on his acting skills. 

      The first thing that I've noticed to Samantha Barks, even the other viewers who were also in the cinema, was her very small waistline in which I or we are wondering if that is true or it has something to do with the fashion or camera trick. As I could see it is not proportioned to her whole body especially to her face that is why I still have doubts about it. I believe she performs well at least but I am not 100% impressed of her singing skills although in acting of course I am contented with it. Samantha didn't deliver the drama factor that I can be affected of her situation as Eponine. I am expecting something more for her it is maybe because I am subconsciously comparing her to Lea Salonga's performance. That is why the song of On My Own was not attractive for me and yet not so powerful compare to Lea's singing performance. So in my own observation the song from this movie is not that remarkable. If I were to evaluate her performance that could be only 50% . Now I realized the whole role of Eponine in which she is not really the main starring but supporting and yet the exposure is not that much compare with others. But I realized what is On My Own means when it is a matter of hoping for love as I could understand or she is still pretending with the man he loves in which the reality is she can never have.

     Nothing much with the performance of Amanda Seyfried as I am still looking for more exposure of her for being the Cosette and other more of her singing and acting performances. I am looking for the impact in which I can be affected of her role as Cosette and I would feel the love between his partner Marius but indeed there are still things that she lacks of during the film. I don't feel much of her existence or exposure which makes me confuse if she is one of the main character or just supporting. No matter what it is but the point is that I want Amanda to deliver her role or it must have the power of impact that people can be carried away by her performance. In fairness I don't feel that bored even if she sings like in a conversation since I want to understand the message. I just don't find her that appealing on her role as matured version of Cosette, which I just find her so simple.

    I have to admit that Eddie Redmayne is not that so appealing as Marius especially for the love team role although he is one of the best performers in terms of singing and acting at the same time. I appreciated his performance when he is fighting during the war. I still comprehend when he is singing and acting who was able to deliver his message. I am more affected when he is fighting during the war in order for him to survive. He may not be that appealing but I could still evaluate him as versatile actor. He is just in balance of both singing and acting.

The Thenardier couples are laugh trip to the max who needs to pretend and they are all about money. I appreciate the performances of these couples in which they had act the exact thing as they are and projected their effort on how to make the viewers laugh because of their foolishness. Their singing is also powerful for their role which is I find it complicated as well.