Les Miserables (2012)

8.6/10

Jean Valjean: To love another person is to see the face of God. 

One of my most anticipated reviews this year. This film is a musical, BASED on a musical; the West End musical in London to be exact. Many people when they went into the movies to watch 'Les Mis' (abrv) they were disappointed to find out that the film was filled with music from beginning to end. Well, let's make one thing clear, yet again...this film is BASED on the MUSICAL, not the classical novel by Victor Hugo. 

So, since we got this cleared out let's start with revewing the actual film. It was my great pleasure to go and see this film, particularly because for me this genre represents a very big part of who I am and I simply adore musicals. Especially the ones who stay true to the original stage musicals. Such is 'Les Miserables'.

The story line follows prisoner-on-parole, 24601, Jean Valjean, as he runs from the ruthless Inspector Javert on a journey beyond the barricades, at the center of the June Rebellion. Meanwhile, the life of a working class girl with a child is at turning point as she turns to prostitution to pay money to the evil innkeeper and his wife who look after her child, Cosette. Valjean promises to take care of the child, something which eventually leads to a love triangle between Cosette, Marius who is a student of the rebellion, and Eponine, a girl of the streets. The people sing of their anger and Enjolras leads the students to fight upon the barricades.(www.imdb.com)

The story itself is touching, to say the least.Personally it has always touched me in so many levels, especially now, during the times of financial adversity I think the story-line applies to most people out there. 

Let's start from director Tom Hooper (The King's Speech, The Damned United, John Adams). He is not your average English wannabe director-bloke who just happened to graduate from a film school. Hooper time and time again proved to be a master of narrative drama. This time round, he went far beyond his wildest expectations in tackling one of the greatest musicals ever to have been written. His persistence only in allowing his actors to perform musically without limitations, is proof of the freedoms he possesses as a person. His amazing gift to guide his actors and let them free to create through their musical talent was indeed a great risk he was willing to take. But it did payoff in retrospect, for his efforts did not go in vain. 

'Les Mis' is heralded to be one of this year's finest accomplishments. Not so much for its variety in its genre, but because they managed to do the unimaginable. To be able to transfer a stage musical play (i am highlighting the musical part as this is the most vital thing here) into film and still be able to move and touch so many people, is something extraordinary. If someone had told me this even when they tried to film 'The Phantom of the Opera' (another iconic musical stage play), I would have said, impossible. But indeed Hooper succeed. His cinematography, his costume and production design was so flawless at hand, so precise and well executed, especially when it came down to details, that anyone cannot but applaud him in awe. Outstanding piece of filmmaking and one of this year's best, in my opinion. 

But none of this would not have been made possible if it wasn't for the casting. What an amazing cast. Of course, my only tiny hiccup would be in the choice of Russell Crowe (Gladiator, The Insider, L.A. Confidential,A Beautiful Mind), who portrayed the role of Inspector Jarvet. Not because he did not the part physically, but indeed I would not be the first not to extol his musical skills. Albeit the fact that Crowe had extensive training and was associated in the past with music, he did not convince. I shall not be cruel enough to say his efforts were totally wasted, but he was the weakest link amongst the rest of the cast.

Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway,Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Amanda Seyfriend, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit and Samantha Barks on the other hand...would it be too awful of me just to say...WOW, what a brilliant choice, what an amazing chemistry out of everyone in this cast, what a superb performance. I was completely taken aback. 

Hugh Jackman (The Prestige, X-Men, Australia), who played the lead role of Jean Valjean gave an unbelievably extraordinary performance. The stamina,the passion and the depth he managed to give to Jean Valjean was something beyond my expectations. He took this role bare-handed and made it his own, he made sure he gave him the proper poise and the ability to express the layers of this character. Glorious acting,outstanding singing and performing. 

Alongside him, the little blooming flower of Hollywood, Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prad, Brokeback Mountain, One Day, Becoming Jane, The Princess Diaries, The Dark Knight Rises). We were proven in the past, that no matter how big or small a role is, as long as you manage to grasp it and make any viewer empathize so much with to the point of hysteria or tears, then you have succeed beyond any actor's dream. Hathaway did exactly that. Her close-up on her devastating performance of 'I dreamed a dream' was exactly what no actor managed to achieve so far on the musical stage; show her absolute despair and her drifting into oblivion. Hooper made sure, he let Hathaway free enough to not only become one with the role of Fantine, but also dissect her every tear, her every word, her every action.It would be a great omission on my part not to mention that for her scene in 'I dreamed a dream' was accomplished all in one take, under live recording. Spellbinding performance! 

Of course, the gem of this film is the collaboration of everyone who sung, danced and performed in this film. Having a functionable ensemble with chemistry and passion, is a key role in such films.Hooper was not a fool, and he gathered a wonderful ensemble of actors to undertake such heavy challenge and re-create the backdrop of French revolution on screen through entirely (almost) musical action. 

For those who are not keen on the musical genre, and have not been in much contact with how and what a musical is, this film should be avoided. For those who are interested in musicals, both filmic or theatrical ones, this film is just for you. A brilliant treat for the eyes and the ears equally. The Academy made sure to include it to the Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, among other 5 nominations for Best Costume, Production Design, Sound, Music and Make-up. 

A delight for anyone also who adores the story, or the musical itself. The music will take you away, and the ethical messages will spring flares of emotions so high that will be thinking about them long after the end credits roll. 

Hope you enjoy this film as much as I did, hence my great anticipation to see even the actual musical on stage. 

Grease (1978)

Rating: 8.2/10

"Why, this car is Auto-matic. Its System-matic. Its Hyyyyydro-matic. Why, its Greased Lightning!"

Whilst America was in a turmoil over the war with Vietnam in the late 1970s, another genre seemed to bloom out of nowhere, reminiscing the golden days of Hollywood-land; 'Grease'  is the word, as Frankie Valley would sing in the intro of one of the most well-known musicals of all time.

'Grease' was not just a musical of the time, it became a trend, an escape from the suppression that the youngsters felt in the 1970s. What truly is amazing about 'Grease' is that beyond all of the dancing and singing it had a very real message to deliver to its contemporary audience; friendship lasts a lifetime and it can overcome even the most adverse situations.

Starring the very hankie-macho type John Travolta, alongside the newly-presented-to-Hollywood-lan Australian actress/singer Olivia Newton-John. The pair is a match-made in heaven. Fantastic chemistry, witty exchanging of vocals, spirited plot-line of high-school kids of the 1950s.

'Grease', not only offers a trendy and unique style of musical numbers but also it set up a whole trend based on the production design with it's sp8nky fashion and it's leathery costuming. Bouncing through the screen are all the good-old-cheesy-comedic scenes without them being too far-fetched or tiresome, even for today's audience. The spark between all of the cast members is resonating in the big screen and it made for a timely atmosphere between groups of friends.

Albeit the film version is based on the original stage version of the Broadway musical, it did not fail to become the top grossing film of 1978 and was for quite a few years the top grossing film behind Jaws (1975) and Star Wars: Episode IV - New Hope (1977).

The story is "A musical about teens in love in the 50's! It's California, 1959 and greaser Danny Zuko and Australian Sandy Olsson are in love. They spend time at the beach, but when they go back to school, what either of them don't know is that they both now attend Rydell High. Danny's the leader of the T-Birds, a group of black-jacket greasers while Sandy hangs with the Pink Ladies, a group of pink-wearing girls led by Rizzo. When they clash at Rydell's first pep rally, Danny isn't the same Danny at the beach. They try to be like each other so they can be together." (www.imdb.com)

The cast, the costumes, the music, the dance, the friendship, the love...everything in this film is a cult classic and it would be an overwhelming task to try to get it out of people's minds with a remake (hopefully Hollywood will not be that naive or greedy), since it's been well imprinted for the iconic style it brought.

Watch it if you love the 50s, well-made teen flicks, music to shake your boots off, and singing that will make you dance and feel happy! Albeit it not everyone's cup of tea, it is a classic musical and a favourite one.

Enjoy the music!

"-'Dany: Sandy!'

 -'Tell me about it, stud.'"

Grease (1978)

The Sound of Music (1965)

Rating: 8.7/10

"The Von Trapp children don't play. They march."

The ULTIMATE feel-good family-movie!

How can anyone review a masterpiece such as this film?!? Not only this film is the ultimate classic, it surpasses anyone's expectations when we look at today's musicals.

'The Sound of Music':

The story involves some nuns, a governess, a captain, some Nazis and a large family of kids that sings and dances. Pretty straightforward story: "A young woman trained to be a novice, leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the seven children of a Naval officer widower." (www.imdb.com)

I'm sure there's plenty of governesses stories out there, although this one is slightly different. There is indeed a lot of singing involved and quite a bit of dancing, as there is a lot of pranks and heartfelt performances. This film is a special treat for the whole family, because it takes you step by step into this gloomy household and its transformation into a house of laughter and singing. Imagine a more mature Mary Poppins type of film.

The newly-Academy-awarded Christopher Plummer and the always astounding Julie Andrews give a bedazzling performance and really pour their heart and soul into bringing their characters to life. Although rumours may suggest what a struggle it had been for Plummer to really connect with his character, having to do all that singing, he found it a sheer joy to be pummeled day in and day out with the passion and the stamina of Andrews. Their on-screen chemistry as master and governess at the beginning and their growing likeness towards each other as the film progresses really give the audience feel at ease and  joyful to watch this on-screen couple. Both actors apply the performing girth into full gear, especially when it came to their vocal numbers they leave one breathless with their heartfelt emotion that they put into their songs.

Of course the key ingredient in all of this is the music, and the children. Nothing would have been made possible without these two elements. A combination that truly makes any family member involved. Each vocal number for the children was definitely a challenge but all seven of them did a superb job with both their hilarious acting as well as their singing. Considering that for some of these kids, this film was their debut into the acting world, one can't help but admire their fantastic energy and enthusiasm that they bring in this film. But like I mentioned before, nothing also would not be the same without the exquisite original music score of Irwin Kostal, who has the audience still singing the songs of the film forty-seven years after its making. What a wonderful achievement that must be for a music composer.

This film would be suggested mostly for the families, the people who love musicals and singing in general, but I would recommend it to people who enjoy a good performance, a good subtle story of an estranged family and people who like to relish on classic cinematography. I mean look, the shot of having Julie Andrews at the beginning of the film singing in the Austrian mountains (which I've checked it's quite real I guarantee you) is one of the most unique shots in all of cinema history, and that's not an exaggeration. I mean beat that today, without any visual effects and CGI. Very few can!

This film is full of heart and soul, and above all some exquisite, original, authentic music!

Enjoy the VonTrapp family my lovely cinema-goers!


The Sound of Music (1965)

The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship

Good evening to you all!

This is my first blog post as a reviewing artist. I have always loved the arts field ever since I can remember myself doing a sing-along number from a musical or a theatre act. Ever since I was a small kid I found myself hooked on the once known in Hollywood 'the talkies', aka films. Today, I can literally lock myself in a dark room watching films for days and days, non-stop, experiencing emotions and feelings of another dimension.

When my time came to decide into what career pathway I would follow, the answer was crystal clear; film, theatre, literature.

My life since the time I was 18 years old, led me on to gain experience in filmmaking; a land of dreams. I am a holder of a BA Hons in Drama & English and an MA holder of Film & Television Production. But my studies, will never be complete unless I reply to my true calling; writing.

Somewhere along the lines of trying to break into an impossible industry, the entertainment industry, I've always felt that I was more of a backstage person rather than a centre-stage one. My vice was always speaking in public. But this however, led me to acknowledge that there was a field I could be good at; writing about films, theatre and books.

So, with the guidance of some wonderful friends and an encouragement from my blogging stratosphere, I've decided to begin a blog with my reviews in film, theatre and literature.

I will try to keep a non-literary language, keep it down a notch, since this is not only a literature-based blog. I am happy to take on board any views, suggestions and opinion-nets on any material I may present in this blog. Everyone is welcome to participate, one way or another.

I hope people will get to enjoy this blog, benefit from it (in case you find yourself stranded on a Friday night with your mates and have no idea what movie to watch, this could/would be a blog to turn to) and gain some valuable insight into this magical world of film, theatre and literature.

I salute you all film junkies or simply people who love a good flick. I will be reviewing my first film tomorrow so keep in tune.

May this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Casablanca (1942)