Les Miserables Lovers...3rd UPDATE 10/18: Movie Dates!

[JenM]

2. Why did they cut the "Dog Eats Dog" number that Thenardier sings in the sewers?

The song was definitely there at some point. I have a friend who had some info on screenings of a rough cut in the UK earlier this fall that ran about 20 minutes longer than the final version. There was also a different ending that involved the end of the 1848 rebellion. From what I've read from people who saw that ending, they were glad it was changed back to the version we know.

There was an interview with Tom Hooper recently where he mentioned that "Dog Eat Dog" might be back on the DVD. I think it was just cut for time.

I'll be happy when they release a complete soundtrack. The version that's out now is missing half the songs! It's driving me crazy.

I saw the movie for the third time today. We brought my aunt, who did a pretty good impression of that mom in the video of the guy who filmed his parents reaction to the movie. By the end, she'd literally filled an empty popcorn bag with all of the tissues she'd gone through.

Actually, the best crier in our audience today was this guy who, in the midst of all of this sniffling and sobbing in the theater, blew his nose so loud it sounded like a foghorn. People started laughing, it was hysterical.

I really love the movie. I love that it's so different from the stage version. I've seen the stage version so many times and I know it so well, that this felt like it was still something new, and it was great.

And I loved Hugh. I've seen him sing live on Broadway 7 times. He sang that part exactly like I know he sings. And I love how sings, so it's all good.

And I freaking loved his Bring Him Home. I loved it the first time I saw it, it made me cry the second time I saw it, and I loved it again when I saw it today.

It didn't matter to me what high notes he did or didn't hit, because watching him walk through the rooms almost in a panic trying sort out what Valjean was thinking during that song, it was the first time I realized that "Bring Him Home" wasn't just about him praying to God to take him instead of Marius, it was the moment Valjean finally understood that he had to let Cosette go.

Like with so many things about the movie, it just brought more depth to things than the stage version (which I love) can do. It was so good.

 

[Scornelius]

OK, here are two questions I've wanted to ask, but kept forgetting:

1. When Valjean is first paroled, at the beginning of the film, he is shown climbing up a desolate hill toward a graveyard. Is that the grave of his sister and her child? Did they starve after he was thrown in jail?

2. Why did they cut the "Dog Eats Dog" number that Thenardier sings in the sewers?

1-I don't remember any reference in the book.

2- Because that song is awful and I would have been livid if they kept it in while hacking verses out of all my favourites.

I LOVED it. Truly loved it. I was so nervous, after waiting so long, that it wouldn't meet my far-too-high expectations. But it was wonderful.

Anne Hathaway is a goddess. I though she was just incredible, and while I've always been moved by her part of the story, I've never felt her desperate love for her child the way I did watching her last night. I loved that she totally went for (and nailed) the crescendo in I Dreamed a Dream. Since I'd been watching clips and knew so many other songs were done differently than 'normal', I didn't dare expect anything in that regard.

Hugh Jackman....wow. His voice wasn't perfect, but the emotion with which he played that role completely made up for it in my book. Again, I've never been so struck by Valjean's completely adoration for Cosette. Whoever did his makeup deserves an Oscar. He was absolutely transformed many times over.

Amanda Seyfried's warbly voice wasn't my favourite. Totally just my opinion, but I associate that type of singing with someone who was taught how to hit notes vs someone who can actually sing. I felt the same about Eddie Redmayne, though I loved his part. Trained, not talented. The both reminded me of Lawrence Welk singers. That said, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables was gorgeous and I think they both did incredible jobs in their roles.

Now, Russell Crowe. Oh, Russell. Honestly, his singing wasn't nearly as awful as I was expecting. I can totally see how people thought his acting was flat, and I wouldn't completely disagree. I think he was just trying to play it as very hard and intense, and if he'd shown more anguish during Javert's Suicide I would have been able to forgive the rest. As is I don't think he was horrible at all, but he definitely seemed like the one who was most uncomfortable with stretching his comfort zone. The medal on Gavroche? Oof. Killed me.


Biggest surprise: I wasn't blown away by Samantha Barks. (What the heck was up with her teeny tiny waist??) I was that overly dramatic child who sang On My Own over and over in the mirror, and I was really looking forward to it. But I felt like the song was rushed and her acting was flat. I wasn't hugely fond of her in the 25th anniversary either, though I'm not denying her talent at all. Little Fall of Rain (another favourite) didn't thrill me the way I'd hoped.

(Speaking of the 25th Anniversary show, after Empty Chairs my husband turned to me and said "oh man, that was so much better than the Jonas Brother!" )

The Thénardiers! I thought they were GREAT! I loved SBC, though his constantly changing accent left me baffled. HBC was in her prime, I think. Really enjoyed them both, and laughed every time he got Cosette's name wrong. Beggers at the Feast really made me laugh, even truncated.

Young Cosette and Gavroche were incredible. I loved them both. Not to harp on the 25th Anniversary version too much, but that Gavroche drove me insane. He played it like the Artful Dodger, cocky instead of scrappy. This kid was great, and I adored his into in Look Down. His death, as it always does, sent me into the ugly cry.

Colm Wilkinson was just sublime. Every second on screen, every word from his mouth, was beautiful. When he met Valjean at the end I just sobbed.

My biggest complaint: the shortening of so many songs!! Full verses taken out of Come to Me, Castle on a Cloud, no I Saw Him Once, etc. OH! And the fact that Eponine's part was taken out of Valjean's Death. I didn't actually need Eponine there, but I loved the harmony of the three voices. It gave me goosebumps, and I missed that a lot.

All in all, 4 stars out of 5. There was definitely room for improvement, and I'm praying that when it comes out on DVD they'll have a 4 hour version with every bit of every song. My husband hadn't been too keen on seeing it with me, but he was talking about it the whole way home. And then he said "when we get the DVD, I want to check out a few things", which made me laugh. I love that it's just a given that we'll be getting the DVD, and I'm hoping it will be out by my birthday in July.

 

[Skywalker]

We saw the movie yesterday so I thought I'd join in! I have read the book (like 15 years ago) and seen the play 4 times. I went with my husband (who saw the play once) my 14 year old son (who has read the book, never seen a performance) and my 12 year old son who had no previous exposure to Les Mis whatsoever. So we had a variety of expectations and opinions!

The only thing that made me hesitant to see this movie was the fear of making a fool of myself by crying in the theatre. I did cry, but I felt far from out of place, lol.

I am so glad we went! It was what I expected from Les Mis, big, emotional, powerful, touching, moving and inspiring! I really loved it.

Had no problems with the casting, its as though those roles can stand by themselves anyway no matter who is playing them!

From the opening image of that boat, to the closing image of the barricades, wow.

My husband and children could not stop talking about it afterwards and want the soundtrack...the boys were shocked that they liked it so much. They weren't huge on the romance but they did like the Valjean / Javert storyline, and they liked Enjolras and the students. They both said when Fantine showed up at the end it took all they had to hold their composure, lol.

It even inspired singing later when they were playing billiards...although their lyrics need some work, the tune was right on. I was hearing stuff like "RED...the ball you cannot sink! BLACK...your mood when you will lose!" ha ha

We are going to see it again next weekend. And I have thrown out the hint that the DVD would make an excellent birthday gift.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

OH! And the fact that Eponine's part was taken out of Valjean's Death. I didn't actually need Eponine there, but I loved the harmony of the three voices. It gave me goosebumps, and I missed that a lot.

It bothered me that Eponine wasn't in Valjean's death scene as well. However, I thought about the fact that the movie never showed any connection between them. Gavroche took the note from Marius to Valjean, whereas Eponine takes it in the play. It's a brief encounter but at least they had a scene together. The reason I like seeing Eponine in that final scene is because of her strong connection to Marius. She walks out peacefully, no longer longing for Marius. After Valjean dies, he stands between Fantine and Eponine, and behind Marius and Cosette who are on the floor. The three hold their hands above the couples' heads, as if blessing their marriage from heaven. It's a really beautiful moment in the show, and I missed seeing it in the movie. I do like that the Bishop was there to greet Valjean. They added that part in for the 25th anniversary tour. We assume the Bishop died long before since he's quite a bit older than Valjean. He greets him and gives him a nod, as if saying he's pleased with how he turned his life around after stealing the silver. I love all of these subtle little moments, some of which were portrayed nicely in the movie, and some of which were not.

 

[Skywalker]

The reason I like seeing Eponine in that final scene is because of her strong connection to Marius. She walks out peacefully, no longer longing for Marius. After Valjean dies, he stands between Fantine and Eponine, and behind Marius and Cosette who are on the floor. The three hold their hands above the couples' heads, as if blessing their marriage from heaven. It's a really beautiful moment in the show, and I missed seeing it in the movie.

I agree totally on this. I preferred the stage ending.

 

[JenM]

A little old school Les Mis gossip...it's been rumored for a long time that the reason Eponine had a more prominent role in the stage version was because the original Eponine was having an affair with the show's co-director.

I liked having the Bishop at the end instead of Eponine. In terms of how the story was told in the movie, it made no sense for her to be there. She and Valjean had never met. Gavroche giving Valjean the note was how it happened in the book, Marius specifically sent Gavroche to try and keep him off the barricade.

I remember in the book, just before Valjean died, he was asked if he wanted a priest. Valjean said he already had one, and pointed upwards, possibly alluding that the Bishop was there.

In the end, it was Valjean's story. He spent a lifetime repaying that that debt of the stolen silver, and it was it was the man who made that deal with him welcoming him into heaven at the end, the debt repaid.

 

[mommykds]

I saw this last night with my oldest dd (17). I had seen the original more than 20 years ago on Broadway & then again las year with the Broadway touring group. I love Les Mis & everything about it so that may affect my jugdement of the movie.

I enjoyed it very much, I thought the "real" singing was raw & went well with the rawness of what the characters were experiencing. Marius was (for me) a no go...didn't get him at all. I loved Colm Wilkenson.

One thing.... I was uncomfortable with the 2 sex scenes sitting there with my DD. I think the scene in the Inn would have bothered/confused my youngest DD (just turned 12) The rest of the movie was fine but I just wouldn't want her to see that. Just my opinion.

Anyway, loved the movie but my oldest 17 year old did not...she went for the music & wanted to watch our Les Mis 25th anniversary DVD when we got home.

 

[BillSears]

2- Because that song is awful and I would have been livid if they kept it in while hacking verses out of all my favorites.

I HATED the missing verses and the songs that ended too early. But I do admit most movie goers don't have the soundtrack memorized.

 

[Imzadi]

OH! And the fact that Eponine's part was taken out of Valjean's Death. I didn't actually need Eponine there, but I loved the harmony of the three voices. It gave me goosebumps, and I missed that a lot.

It bothered me that Eponine wasn't in Valjean's death scene as well. However, I thought about the fact that the movie never showed any connection between them. Gavroche took the note from Marius to Valjean, whereas Eponine takes it in the play. It's a brief encounter but at least they had a scene together. The reason I like seeing Eponine in that final scene is because of her strong connection to Marius. She walks out peacefully, no longer longing for Marius. After Valjean dies, he stands between Fantine and Eponine, and behind Marius and Cosette who are on the floor. The three hold their hands above the couples' heads, as if blessing their marriage from heaven. It's a really beautiful moment in the show, and I missed seeing it in the movie.

I loved the stage ending too. I missed the three-part harmony. I thought it all made sense. Eponine was in Heaven. Everyone in Heaven is connected. It was a dreadful place & time in history. She loved Marius. Valjean was Marius' FIL. She'd welcome him to heaven for Marius' sake.

Plus, in the Broadway show, as each person died, (except Javert,) the spotlight on them would grow brighter for just a moment, as if you could see God lifting their spirits from their body and taking it away to Heaven. With all the lyrics about God, faith, the light, "To love another person is to see the face of God!" "There is a flame that never dies." I used to weep buckets when that happened.



"Fantine:
Come with me
Where chains will never bind you
All your grief at last at last behind you
Lord in heaven, look down on him in mercy!

Valjean:
Forgive me all my trespasses
And take me to your glory

Eponine & Fantine:
Take my hand, and lead me to salvation
Take my love, for love is everlasting
(Valjean joins)
And remember the truth that once was spoken
To love another person is to see the face of God!"

 

[Imzadi]

I do like that the Bishop was there to greet Valjean. They added that part in for the 25th anniversary tour. We assume the Bishop died long before since he's quite a bit older than Valjean. He greets him and gives him a nod, as if saying he's pleased with how he turned his life around after stealing the silver. I love all of these subtle little moments, some of which were portrayed nicely in the movie, and some of which were not.

I do like that the Bishop was there at the end, too. But, I wondered if that was more because it was seeing Colm again. I missed it in the 25th anniversary tour. I'll have to go back & look. This is stuff I couldn't discuss before as I was under orders by Deb in IA not to discuss spoilers before all of you got to see it.

Oh, and when Javert gave his pin to Gavroche, that tore me up. Russell Crowe's best moment in the film. And he wasn't singing.

 

[Scornelius]

I do like that the Bishop was there at the end, too. But, I wondered if that was more because it was seeing Colm again. I missed it in the 25th anniversary tour. I'll have to go back & look. This is stuff I couldn't discuss before as I was under orders by Deb in IA not to discuss spoilers before all of you got to see it.

Oh, and when Javert gave his pin to Gavroche, that tore me up. Russell Crowe's best moment in the film. And he wasn't singing.

Yup.

 

[threeboysmom]

It didn't matter to me what high notes he did or didn't hit, because watching him walk through the rooms almost in a panic trying sort out what Valjean was thinking during that song, it was the first time I realized that "Bring Him Home" wasn't just about him praying to God to take him instead of Marius, it was the moment Valjean finally understood that he had to let Cosette go.

Stop it! You're making me get all teary-eyed at work!

So many emotional points to this story. And the more you watch it, the more emotional it gets, lol.

I literally couldn't get out of my seat when the movie ended the last time I saw it. I couldn't compose myself enough to walk out in public, lol. I just kept thinking, "FINALLY, Valjean has found his freedom!" which made me sob even more.

 

[threeboysmom]

AIn the end, it was Valjean's story. He spent a lifetime repaying that that debt of the stolen silver, and it was it was the man who made that deal with him welcoming him into heaven at the end, the debt repaid.

Stop it! You too!

 

[JenM]

Stop it! You're making me get all teary-eyed at work!

So many emotional points to this story. And the more you watch it, the more emotional it gets, lol.

I literally couldn't get out of my seat when the movie ended the last time I saw it. I couldn't compose myself enough to walk out in public, lol. I just kept thinking, "FINALLY, Valjean has found his freedom!" which made me sob even more.

Stop it! You too!

Those were both me! Sorry!! I was listening to the soundtrack on the subway this morning and it took everything in my power not to start bawling at that last song. Again.

One of my friends pointed something else out about the scene where Javert pinned the medal on Gavroche. The part of 'Bring Him Home' that's playing as he was pinning the medal is the "He's like the son I might have known, if God had granted me a son..." part.

 

[Deb in IA]

Okay, we are back. I have a long review to post. I will first say that I'm glad I decided to go. I will agree with the previous poster that I found myself more emotionally involved in scenes that, with the stage version, had never touched me that much. Overall, I did enjoy the movie, and it moved me just as much, if not more in some places, as the stage version. However, the musical will always hold first place in my heart, not the movie.

I'm glad you decided to go, ugadog. And I agree with much of your review.

The song was definitely there at some point. I have a friend who had some info on screenings of a rough cut in the UK earlier this fall that ran about 20 minutes longer than the final version. There was also a different ending that involved the end of the 1848 rebellion. From what I've read from people who saw that ending, they were glad it was changed back to the version we know.

There was an interview with Tom Hooper recently where he mentioned that "Dog Eat Dog" might be back on the DVD. I think it was just cut for time.

I'll be happy when they release a complete soundtrack. The version that's out now is missing half the songs! It's driving me crazy.


And I loved Hugh. I've seen him sing live on Broadway 7 times. He sang that part exactly like I know he sings. And I love how sings, so it's all good.

And I freaking loved his Bring Him Home. I loved it the first time I saw it, it made me cry the second time I saw it, and I loved it again when I saw it today.

It didn't matter to me what high notes he did or didn't hit, because watching him walk through the rooms almost in a panic trying sort out what Valjean was thinking during that song, it was the first time I realized that "Bring Him Home" wasn't just about him praying to God to take him instead of Marius, it was the moment Valjean finally understood that he had to let Cosette go.

Like with so many things about the movie, it just brought more depth to things than the stage version (which I love) can do. It was so good.

I hope the DVD or the extended version will have all the songs and all the verses that were cut. I really want to see the whole thing.

Hugh's voice, I think, is so different in timbre than Colm's, or Alfie Boe's, that at first, it sounds nasally, almost whiny. But after I got used to it, I was able to get past that and the emotionality really came through.

A little old school Les Mis gossip...it's been rumored for a long time that the reason Eponine had a more prominent role in the stage version was because the original Eponine was having an affair with the show's co-director.

I liked having the Bishop at the end instead of Eponine. In terms of how the story was told in the movie, it made no sense for her to be there. She and Valjean had never met. Gavroche giving Valjean the note was how it happened in the book, Marius specifically sent Gavroche to try and keep him off the barricade.

You mean Frances Rufelle?

We re-listened to the orignial 1985 London cast recording, as well as the original Broadway cast recording. Wow, how things change after multiple versions! I remember thinking how good Frances was, but now, her voice seems so girly and not nearly as powerful as Sam Barks.

I do like that the Bishop was there at the end, too. But, I wondered if that was more because it was seeing Colm again. I missed it in the 25th anniversary tour. I'll have to go back & look. This is stuff I couldn't discuss before as I was under orders by Deb in IA not to discuss spoilers before all of you got to see it.

Oh, and when Javert gave his pin to Gavroche, that tore me up. Russell Crowe's best moment in the film. And he wasn't singing.

Guilty as charged!
But a sincere thanks for not giving away these little differences for us! It made it so powerful to see them!

Those were both me! Sorry!! I was listening to the soundtrack on the subway this morning and it took everything in my power not to start bawling at that last song. Again.

One of my friends pointed something else out about the scene where Javert pinned the medal on Gavroche. The part of 'Bring Him Home' that's playing as he was pinning the medal is the "He's like the son I might have known, if God had granted me a son..." part.

I read that the pin was entirely Russell's idea. If that is true, then I forgive him for the emotionally flat performance and vocals!

 

[JenM]

I hope the DVD or the extended version will have all the songs and all the verses that were cut. I really want to see the whole thing.

Some of the verses that were cut in the movie were verses that had already been cut in the show. It was shortened by 20 minutes in 2000 to keep the running time under 3 hours, and they did it by cutting verses from the songs. The cuts to Castle on a Cloud, Little People, and Come to Me are the same in the current version of the show.

They actually put verses back that had been cut when the show was shortened: the whole scene when Valjean comes to the Thernardiers ("There is a duty I must heed, there is a promise I have made...") was entirely cut from the show, the only difference is that Valjean used to call the Thernardiers away for the "Now her mother is with God..." part, so Cosette wouldn't overhear. In the movie, they changed it to where Valjean sings that part and tells her that her mother has died. I loved that part in the show, I loved that they added it back in.

They also put back the "someone used to cradle them and kiss them when they cried" lyrics back into Turning.

I Saw Him Once is from the London recording, but it was cut before the show came to NY.

You mean Frances Rufelle?

We re-listened to the orignial 1985 London cast recording, as well as the original Broadway cast recording. Wow, how things change after multiple versions! I remember thinking how good Frances was, but now, her voice seems so girly and not nearly as powerful as Sam Barks.

Yep. I keep forgetting she won the Tony for Les Mis. She was married to the show's co-director, but the gossipy part was that they were an item awhile back, hence Eponine's expanded role in the stage version. It's gossip, so who knows?

 

[Deb in IA]

Some of the verses that were cut in the movie were verses that had already been cut in the show. It was shortened by 20 minutes in 2000 to keep the running time under 3 hours, and they did it by cutting verses from the songs. The cuts to Castle on a Cloud, Little People, and Come to Me are the same in the current version of the show.

They actually put verses back that had been cut when the show was shortened: the whole scene when Valjean comes to the Thernardiers ("There is a duty I must heed, there is a promise I have made...") was entirely cut from the show, the only difference is that Valjean used to call the Thernardiers away for the "Now her mother is with God..." part, so Cosette wouldn't overhear. In the movie, they changed it to where Valjean sings that part and tells her that her mother has died. I loved that part in the show, I loved that they added it back in.

They also put back the "someone used to cradle them and kiss them when they cried" lyrics back into Turning.

I Saw Him Once is from the London recording, but it was cut before the show came to NY.




Yep. I keep forgetting she won the Tony for Les Mis. She was married to the show's co-director, but the gossipy part was that they were an item awhile back, hence Eponine's expanded role in the stage version. It's gossip, so who knows?

Also, we noted that the original London cast recording has a different ending for Stars. It just kind of repeats a line and fades out. The last verse was added before it came to Broadway, and makes it a much stronger song.

Lord, let me find him, that I may see him
Safe behind bars, I will never rest, til then, this I swear
This I swear by the stars!

 

[JenM]

Also, we noted that the original London cast recording has a different ending for Stars. It just kind of repeats a line and fades out. The last verse was added before it came to Broadway, and makes it a much stronger song.

Lord, let me find him, that I may see him
Safe behind bars, I will never rest, til then, this I swear
This I swear by the stars!

That's right, it has that fade-out that goes right into Look Down. And that full version of Little People that sounds like it escaped from an outtake from Oliver.

When I saw the Broadway revival in 2006, they had changed the song for Gavroche's death scene to a song called "Ten Little Bullets", which, if I remember correctly, was to the tune of Castle on a Cloud:

Ten little bullets in my hand
ten little snipers neat and clean--
one for the king of this great land
two for the aristocracy
three for the bishops and the clergymen
four for the prefects of police--

give me a chance, I'll take the lot of them--
ten little chances to be free
Close your eyes, I'll say when, count to ten.

I believe that song had also been from an earlier version of the show. I was glad they switched it back to Little People.

I loved Gavroche's new lyrics in Look Down:

There was a time we killed the King
He tried to change the world too fast
Now we have got another King
He is no better than the last!

This is the land that fought for liberty
Now when we fight we fight for bread
Here is the thing about equality
Everyone's equal when they're dead.

Another reason I'm hoping for an extended soundtrack...

 

[Imzadi]

Guilty as charged!
But a sincere thanks for not giving away these little differences for us! It made it so powerful to see them!

Yeah, there was no way I could even mention to watch out for something that happens between Javert & Gavroche as you guys just looking and waiting for something to happen may have affected your reaction.

With all the changes you guys are mentioning, I'm wondering if I saw the same finished movie all of you did. I remember at the Q&A that Tom Hooper said he had just finished the final edit that morning. I thought he was exaggerating, bit I've seen blogs & reviews on the our screening that it was true.

But, my friend got the DVD screener a couple weeks later, really close to before she had to vote for the nominees. We though that maybe one wasn't going to be sent as that would be a big ticket item to get money from by bootleggers. Now I'm wondering if Hooper hadn't done some more cutting or adding to the final movie, if he had all that extra stuff.



JenM, I PMed you.

 

[Scornelius]

Did anyone else find themselves going 'HEY! Where the heck is Do You Hear The People Sing?? We're halfway into act two already!!'?