Les Mis at the movies? No thanks, I'll see it on DVD

I must be one of the only people in the world right now who finds themselves firmly on the fence as to whether or not I should see it.  I love the story; compassion, forgiveness, love, and fighting for what's right.  A little of something for everyone.

I've read the book twice (once in French).  And I've seen the Liam Neeson version of the movie, as well as own both the 10th, and 25th anniversary concert DVDs.  This version of the movie has a fantastic cast- Hugh Jackman as Jean ValJean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, and Sacha Baren-Cohen, and Helena Bonham Carter as the Ternardiers.  I should be slapping down my cash right now... but I'm not.

I love the cast, and I love the story.  But I just can't bring myself to plonk down the money to see it. There are some shows for me that demand a grand stage production; some numbers like Bring Him Home that demand the intimacy of just one person on stage singing to a group of people.  I know that's what the extreme closeups of the movie are supposed to recreate- from the quick clip shown at the SAG (Screen Actor's Guild Awards) Awards, it just looked so cheesy.  For me, this is a story that deserves better than that.

For their 25th anniversary, they put the show on in a concert format, at the 02 arena in London.  Playing the role of Jean ValJean was a tenor named Alfie Boe.  Watching him sing "Bring Him Home" which, is "the" song in the whole show was like  watching him cast a spell over an audience.  It was like he disappeared to another world and took the audience with him. 

 

 

He's great isn't he?

 

It's a matter of timing really.  Hugh Jackman's a great actor, and a good singer.   But unfortunately for him Alfie Boe, Colm Wilkinson, and Michael Burgess, and all the other fantastic casts over the years came before them.  I'll take a pass on this one; maybe see it on  DVD.