Four examples of why 'Les Miserables' is generating major Oscar hype
Scenes featuring Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, Hugh Jackman and newcomer Samantha Barks
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NEW YORK -- Having just come from interviewing the cast of "Les Miserables," I can tell you there is a genuine excitement in the air. Tom Hooper's adaptation of the long-running and now classic musical was a difficult gig for everyone involved and the almost unanimous enthusiasm over the finished product has clearly lifted a weight off their shoulders (you'd have to assume Hooper's as well, but he was still in Los Angeles where he attended last night's Governors Awards).
Many moviegoers don't like to watch clips before seeing a film, but if you're still unsure what the hype is all about these four should make it incredibly clear. Hooper's decision to have his actors sing live is close to a game changer and are one reason "Les Miz" is going to be part of the Oscar discussion for quite some time. Universal Pictures was also smart in making sure each preview was over a minute long so viewers could appreciate the performances and music at work.
The first clip, embedded at the top of this post, features "At the End of the Day" sung by Anne Hathaway and, effectively, the film's chorus.
Javert releases the prisoner features the operatic sing song between Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) and Javert (Russell Crowe). Crowe, unfortunately, is the weakest performance in the film and watching this clip will immediately tell you why.
One of Jackman's shining moments is with the song "Who Am I." This is a good portion of the scene, but without its climactic moment in a French courtroom (have to save something for the theater).
"Les Miserables" second half features the emotional and uplifting romance between Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) and Marius (Eddie Redmayne) that begins with "A Heart Full of Love." The former has a surprisingly beautiful voice, but the latter? Well, I'm not sure he work in "Mamma Mia" provided a hint she could sound this angelic.
The big discovery in "Les Miserables" is British newcomer Samantha Barks (at least to audiences outside the U.K.). Hear her a sample of her wonderful rendition of "On My Own" in the final preview from "Les Miz" and you'll understand why, like Hathaway, she's receiving best supporting actress buzz.
"Les Miserables" will begin its love affair with audiences as it opens nationwide on Christmas Day.
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupPreacher
December 2, 2012 at 2:47PM EST Reply to CommentI think there are some typos in the Seyfried/Redmayne bit.
RichardZ "The later" and "the later"? "He" instead of "her"? You're right.
December 2, 2012 at 6:18PM ESTDefRef It's Ellwood. He's got the language skills of a dim rodent, but because he founded the site and was a Big Shot in Hollywood, he doesn't have to have his stuff proofread or edited. Actually, it's an inspiration to anyone seeking work in H'wood because there's clearly no requirement in having a passing knowledge of English.
December 2, 2012 at 7:02PM ESTThat said, wouldn't it be cool if Wolverine and Catwoman won Oscars?
December 2, 2012 at 7:53PM ESTThanks Deref appreciate the support. Never been called a "big shot" before. I'll take that as a compliment.
Paul Outlaw Latter...
December 2, 2012 at 10:13PM EST
December 2, 2012 at 11:00PM ESTs2
December 2, 2012 at 3:03PM EST Reply to CommentGod...Eddie Redmayne is sex incarnate. He is perfect in this role, and the only one I take seriously out of the clips above.
JJ1
December 2, 2012 at 3:07PM EST Reply to Comment- Jackman looks good to me.
- Crowe's acting seems right on target, not sure about the cadence/tone of his singing delivery.
- Redmayne's performance looks to be great.
- Seyfried looks the part and has a lovely presence. I could see her voice being interpreted as either angelic or irksome.
- Barks looks/sounds impressive in the song.
- Hathaway sounds good (accent, singing). But her acting in this particular scene feels a bit hammy.
Overall, so psyched.
nic919
December 2, 2012 at 3:08PM EST Reply to CommentHaving seen the musical live and heard many different soundtracks, as well as the 10th and 25th Anniversary Concerts, this movie is going to be a tough sell for me. The clips probably can't convey what the movie is trying to do, and so I will try to keep an open mind. I do agree that Samantha Banks is impressive even in her brief appearance, but I fear that she won't have a chance with Anne Hathaway desperately pushing for an Oscar nomination and probably squeezing her out. I am not really impressed with Seyfried's voice with its excessive vibrato. Cosette is kind of a dull character anyway, so it shouldn't affect the movie too much. Crowe sounds decent in the clip, but the big songs like Stars and the back and forth with Valjean will really tell the tale. Jackman is certainly a great choice for Valjean and I expect him to be great. If this wasn't the same year as DDL in Lincoln, I would say he had a shot at winning the Oscar.
ridiculous NIC919, what are you talking about ? Samantha Barks & Anne Hathaway ( and Amanda Seyfried) are both being pushed by Universal Pictures, for Best Supporting Actress. Do you have any prove that Hathaway is desperately trying to win an Oscar nomination? Please, stop the rumors and the lies. Anyway, Anne is getting the best reviews out of all the thespians in this cast. So, please, don't trash her because she is getting great reviews and strong notices.
December 2, 2012 at 3:40PM ESTPreacher Well, concerning Hathaway, I'm getting quite annoyed with "her mommy played the same part, wouldn't it be a great story if she won an oscar for that role, let's make that happen" rhetoric, although one can't blame Hathaway herself for that.
December 2, 2012 at 4:24PM ESTnic919 I never actually criticized Anne Hathaway's performance so I don't know what kind of trashing you are referring to. And in terms of high profile interviews and hosting SNL and the like, Anne has certainly been in the media much more than the other two, so there is nothing false about her aggressive bid for an Oscar nomination. She is the one at the Hollywood Reporter roundtable going on about wanting kids, which is what Natalie Portman and Resse Witherspoon did during their Oscar drive. There is nothing wrong with her wanting a nomination, but it is naive to suggest that she is not working for it.
December 2, 2012 at 6:46PM ESTHebrew Hammer
December 2, 2012 at 3:08PM EST Reply to CommentLast time I was this excited about a film was before I saw Black Swan. Les Miz has a lot to live up to.
Elle
December 2, 2012 at 3:19PM EST Reply to CommentThese FIVE clips (not four), are truly outstanding. Gave me chills! Love how the actors are able to bring more emotion and subtlety into their performances, unlike theater where they have to worry about reaching the people in the balcony. Hathaway really does look magnificent - and I'm not usually a fan of hers. Jackman also looks magnificent - love the way he played with the tempo of Who Am I, and then growled "I'm Jean Valjean" rather than belting it out. Loved Barks and Redmayne. Yes, Crowe's voice is more amateurish than the others, but frankly, that scene between him and Jackman was INTENSE. So his singing gets a pass from me because his acting is top notch. To be honest, I'm still not totally sold on Seyfried's very thin vibrato, but I guess it fits Cosette's young, naive character.
Roy
December 2, 2012 at 3:20PM EST Reply to CommentI hear the actors are good but that the camerwork/editing and overall directing are bafflingly poor, so I'm keeping my expectations down.
Christophe I hate to say that but these clips made me feel seasick... not sure if I can take 2,5hrs of shaky camera.
December 2, 2012 at 4:31PM ESTTheOtherJamesD.
December 2, 2012 at 3:40PM EST Reply to CommentIs it just me, or are there five examples?
December 2, 2012 at 7:56PM ESTCaptainCanada
December 2, 2012 at 4:49PM EST Reply to Comment1. Hathaway's work there is devastatingly good, even in that brief bit. I like the staging of the whole thing, including the addition of her trying to go to Valjean for help.
2. Crowe's not great, but after listening to it a few times it's not bad, either. We'll see the results of the whole film, I guess.
3. Terrific acting. Colm Wilkinson's "Who Am I?" is maybe my favourite song in the whole show, so this quieter version takes some getting used to, though it makes far more sense than a belting take would
4. Lovely. Redmayne's acting through song is perfect, and I think Seyfried's voice suits the character perfectly.
5. Beautiful. Also probably the closest to the stage version of the five.
Vargha
December 2, 2012 at 4:52PM EST Reply to CommentThe clips are great, but I think it is not very difficult to impress the audiences with sensational singing and emotionalism. I think Les Miserables should prove itself to be a consistent and great movie as a whole, not only a collection of impressive singing clips.
I think the creators of the film are excessively trying to put importance on the fact that the actors were singing live in the film, but I think it is not the most important thing about a musical film.
Harmony Wheeler
December 2, 2012 at 6:07PM EST Reply to CommentI don't like Seyfried's voice in the clip. She has a twitter voice. No control of her vibrato.
Harmony Wheeler
December 2, 2012 at 6:10PM EST Reply to CommentCrowe sounds great, but his acting has no conviction. He's too passive.
Chuck
December 2, 2012 at 6:28PM EST Reply to CommentAm I the only one who keeps expecting Tugger to show up during Crowe's singing? Otherwise, looks great. Wonder how people will respond to an all-singing musical... I think the last one with no (or very little) spoken dialogue was "Evita"? Someone correct me if I'm wrong...
Kristina Wright I believe that the last all-singing musical would have to be Phantom of the Opera with Gerard Butler as the Phantom. But I think it went over better then expected...or maybe not if you didn't remember it. (Not trying to be rude....)
January 2, 2013 at 1:31AM ESTRichardZ
December 2, 2012 at 6:37PM EST Reply to CommentFans of the musical will have a tough time getting used to these versions of the songs. Okay, me. I've been listening to the original recording since forever and Hugh Jackman is the one that's making a lot of the changes--
I just hope Hugh Jackman does "Bring Him Home" does it right.
Chuck Russell Crowe is probably doing it closest to traditional "Broadway singing" but he cant't sing! So there you go... Cinema is different that theater... people should keep an open mind.
December 2, 2012 at 6:40PM ESTHope
December 3, 2012 at 1:53AM EST Reply to CommentThe actors in "Across the Universe" also sang live on set.
Certainly not a great movie, but a good one in my opinion, and it's frustrating to hear people talk about Les Miz like it's the first film musical to EVER do the songs live.
Anyway, I was most impressed by Redmayne and Barks. Hathaway as well. Seyfried...not so much.
sosgemini
December 3, 2012 at 2:02AM EST Reply to CommentI actually think these clips do the film a disservice to a nOOb like me. Too out of context for me to be impressed or overwhelmed. The first, Hathaway clip, elicited the most emotion out of me and even that became jarring once the chorus kicked it.
And to my dismay, watching these clips brought back nightmares of Madonna's Evita. :duck:
Paul Outlaw
December 3, 2012 at 2:16AM EST Reply to Comment;-)
Seyfried's version of "Thank You For the Music," which I think is over the Mamma Mia closing credits (it's on the soundtrack anyway), gave a hint of what she is capable of.
Paul Outlaw The above comment actually belongs in the first thread.
December 3, 2012 at 2:18AM ESTMehr
December 30, 2012 at 9:09PM EST Reply to CommentYou really felt Seyfried had an angelic voice? I felt she sung way to high, with too much forced vibrato. I found Redmayne's voice strong and comfortable. In no way did I feel Crow was the weakest voice. His voice was controlled and technical, except during the few emotional break down, as per Javert's role.