I have never seen the original musical nor read the classic book by Victor Hugo in which the movie was based on but it doesn't matter. Les Miserables is a great experience to watch on the big screen anchored by the excellent performances of Hugh Jackman in the role of convicted prisoner Jean Valjean and Anne Hathaway as the tragic factory worker Fantine whose child Cosette played by Amanda Seyfried in her older years, he takes care of.
Valjean is forever being hunted by Inspector Javert played by Russell Crowe after he breaks parole all throughout the movie and as years go by, with Cosette falling in love with a revolutionary Marius played by Eddie Redmayne, Valjean seeks redemption amid the rising unrest among students in 19th century France.
Tom Hooper, in his first directing job after winning the Oscar for The King's Speech has proven his forte to be the historical crowd pleaser. The shots, with a little help of CGI is gorgeous and the songs that at one point we heard somewhere like On My Own and I Dreamed I Dream was greatly filmed and sung well by Hathaway and Samantha Barks who plays Eponine.
Jackman and Hathaway proved to be versatile performers both with their acting and great voices and I'm not surprised at all the accolades that they're getting. Some question, Crowe's singing voice that but it suits his character well. It actually borderlines on a rock star voice.
Les Miserables is 2 hours and 38 minutes of great movie musical experience.
