Russell Crowe responds to Adam Lambert's 'Les Miserables' criticism

Actor says that director Tom Hooper wanted vocals to be 'raw and real'

By HitFix Staff Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 2:59 PM

Russell Crowe in 'Les Miserables'

Credit: Universal Pictures

In one of the most uneven matches in history, the Adam Lambert-Russell Crowe beef continues.

"Les Miserables" is dividing audiences and critics like few other movies this holiday season, and pop star Lambert made it clear that he was unhappy with director Tom Hooper's choice to record the film's stars' vocals live on the set. The oftentimes hotheaded Crowe, who plays Javert in the film, has now cooly responded to the criticisms.

The former "American Idol" contestant tweeted that although he found the film "visually impressive w great emotional performances," the actual musical performances "suffered massively with great actors PRETENDING to be singers."

He added, "I felt like I should ignore the vocals and focus on the emotional subtext - but the singing was so distracting at times it pulled me out."

Crowe responded on his Twitter with: "I don't disagree with Adam,sure it could have been sweetened,Hooper wanted it raw and real,that's how it is."

Crowe sung all of his parts live on the set, along with co-stars Hugh Jackman, Eddie Redmayne, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.

What did you think about the film's vocal style?

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Next 73 Comments

Tyler

The realism of Les Miz's singing live makes it unique and I say good on Hooper for making that decision.
January 2, 2013 at 4:50PM EST Reply to Comment
- SB24 I don't know who Adam Lambert is and don't care...having seen the play in Hollywood in the 80's as a teen and again in the 2000's and now this version, still love it and it was done great...way more than I expected!
  January 12, 2013 at 7:44PM EST
- I loved how it was done it was real and made it believable
  January 29, 2013 at 3:21AM EST
- phil Crowd had a commanding Mas uline presence that Lambert couldn't otherwise present…although he has before only as a sensuous or parody of masculinity
  March 29, 2013 at 10:42PM EST
Zoe

I loved it! And Russell Crowe's voice? Amazing, beautiful, if it was food it'd be rich chocolate. I'd far rather listen to him than Adam. The lack of polish is a good thing.
January 2, 2013 at 4:53PM EST Reply to Comment
- Crow3711 This comment is hysterical.
  January 3, 2013 at 12:44PM EST
- Slkkmg3 Russell Crowe is a great actor, but if you know anything about music, and especially the original play, you cannot seriously think he was a good choice, vocally.
  February 12, 2013 at 7:01PM EST
- So true Russel is better than Adam will ever be. I think Adam is threatened by Crowe's performance.
  February 17, 2013 at 11:45PM EST
Allmyne2001

To Adam Lambert an "American Idol" losing contestant. Raw is real. The story line is what the movie was about not the singing, however good or bad. Stick to almost winning and let the actors stick to always acting (most for many years and successfully) and almost singing.
January 2, 2013 at 5:06PM EST Reply to Comment
- mocka Yep. Adam seems to think that in the real world, everyone has a voice for broadway.
  January 11, 2013 at 5:27PM EST
- gdfklvsn Well, you know, it's probably a good idea to cast musical theatre singers in a BROADWAY show turned movie. I actually am going into Musical Theatre, this is my thing, and I couldn't focus on the beauty of the musical because Russel Crowe was so awful. And yeah, when something is a broadway classic, it's probably a good idea to cast people who know what they're doing. Acting is only part of it. Musical theatre= acting, singing, and dancing. This show focuses less on the dancing, but the number 1 aspect of this show is the singing which was, on RC's behalf, absolutely awful. If you're going to be recreating a role as iconic as ANY lead character in Les Mis, your voice needs to be as close to perfect as possible. And I'm not talking about a few months of training, I'm talking about years and years of strenuous training, show experience, and failed auditions to push yourself to the limit. You can still be raw and not sound comically terrible.
  
  So yeah. Let actors stick to acting, and let REAL triple threats do the job.
  January 21, 2013 at 5:03PM EST
- Allison @gdfklvsn I respect your opinion but honestly REALLY? This was a movie. Not a broadway musical. So why would you have broadway singers? It makes absolutely no sense. If you are going to make a movie out of it then DON'T use broadway singers, that's why they have broadway.
  January 26, 2013 at 8:51PM EST
- dance62 Post a comment...
  February 6, 2013 at 11:43AM EST
- phil I liked the vocals-it was appropriate. Adam Lambert is a legend in his own mind.
  March 29, 2013 at 10:37PM EST
Stormshadow4life

Whoa, Russell really lost his cool there! He's out of control! ;)

I actually thought he was a lot better than some of the reviews have been saying. In fact, I enjoyed his vocal performance more than Jackman's.
January 2, 2013 at 5:25PM EST Reply to Comment
- Seaver I 100% agree with you. My girlfriend and I were in AWE when Russel Crowe sang. He was our favorite part of the movie ^_^.
  January 13, 2013 at 8:01PM EST
- sara He is so emotional when he sang it made me cry even moren
  February 17, 2013 at 11:48PM EST
SJG

Count me in the Adam Lambert camp.

Nothing cracks me up more than people citing the "rawness" and "realism" of a film where people communicate their overwrought emotions in stirring musical numbers. Why, it's practically "Saving Private Ryan"!

Pardon me for wanting my musicals to be, well, musical and not unmusical.
January 2, 2013 at 8:54PM EST Reply to Comment
- mocka From my historical perspective, everyone in bf France in the 12 century, hookers and heroes, all sung like broadway stars.
  January 11, 2013 at 5:29PM EST
- I'm not sure what about the film was unmusical. I've been performing music for years and the actors did a fairly decent job if you ask me.
  January 12, 2013 at 7:25PM EST
Rey

I think Russell Crowe and the other cast members didn't admiral jobs at singing and it didn't take away from the film or its content. It's a matter of Lambert becoming just a little too full of himself these days, thinking he's an expert,for only being a new kid on the block. I wouldn't buy any of Lambert's music, even if he has a good voice with an obvious gimmick!
January 2, 2013 at 10:37PM EST Reply to Comment
movieguy223

I couldn't hide my slight disappointment with the film, but that music is far too beautiful and the talent of the cast - both as actors and singers - was undeniable and totally made the movie for me (Hooper is a hack filmmaker, though I do applaud his ballsy approach to making the music resonate on screen). When it comes to Crowe, he was the one wild card and I thought he nailed it. Javert is not usually played like that vocally and I thought Crowe's personalized version of Javert made him somewhat of a stand out, Javert was given a rock opera treatment and he sounded kind of like Ewan McGregor in Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge. The rest of the cast mostly lived up to expectations, but I thought Crowe really did kill it and I was impressed. His 'Stars' and 'Javert's S.' were great.
January 3, 2013 at 11:27AM EST Reply to Comment
- Ain't Nobody Got Time For Crowe Are you KIDDING me?!? Preface- I was not as horrified by RCs (overall) perf as I expected. I'm replying b/c you actually seem to know the stage version. While few of my friends who've been lucky enough to be an LM alum, & those that are devoted fans, really expected a Hollywood adaptation to be even close to the lightning in a bottle the show was, the on-set vox were a FAIL. I expected overrated box office draws to be cast & hopefully attempt something..but whisper-singing, singspiel "emoting" (please!), wobbly, palsy-like head shakin' vibrato utterly missed the whole boody point. It's a musical, for 1- a sung-thru at that, & S & B's music & (artfully translated English) lyrics ARE what make it Les Miserables. Crowe sings in an unsuccessful, "I'm-a-movie-star" rank-@$$ rock band, & he sounded like it. hardly rock-opera, more like chain-smoking hangover vox w/ no real training. Javert's Suicide? You LIKED IT?!? As if this weren't a bass-baritone role enough, they lowered it for him, & most egregiously, chickens out on what's supposed to be his brilliantly written "final moment of life"'s money note, the G flat (so movingly taken over by the horns as he plummets). if I even recall the note correctly, we were too busy lol, even lowered a whole step, he takes the 3rd below it! WHAT?!? Only touched on the rest of the casts' attempts (even Sam Barks, from the show, doesn't give a hint of the Eponine I know she's capable of, & doubt that's her fault). & Why TH did Hooper turn the most amazing reprise "ghost" trio into a Catwoman/Wolverine duet?!? I respect your opinion (& let me be clear: it ain't about jealousy they didn't ring me up for the film, lolol), but that role especially--that character's final self-realization/guilt/dread- deserved so much more. Except for the stunning visuals, the cinematographer/makeup/wardrobe's improvement over the stage version's gritty realism of what suffering daily life was for most of revolutionary France's populous, why make it at all if you can't give it a modicum of the aching beauty it's vocal score-it's heart & soul-so richly deserved? btw, no WAY was Crowe's job even close to McGregor in MR. He sings the hell out of "My Song", I actually prefer that version. No comparison! Not a big Adam Lambert fan, but he calls it IMO.
  January 12, 2013 at 1:01PM EST
chris

Disagree with Lambert here, and I think his comment goes along with those who also complained about the use of close-ups. I understand where they're coming from, but I think they're expecting a different movie than what Hoooper set out to make--they want it to be grand and epic, and he made a movie that is emotionally epic but also very intimate. The raw vocal stylins and use of close-ups help with that. It's not the interpretation of Les Miserables that everyone wants, but I found it very effective.
January 3, 2013 at 3:32PM EST Reply to Comment
L Martin

That is one of the things I loved about the film, that the actors' singing was raw and real, not perfect. Fabulous film all the way around, and i usually hate stage adapted for screen. I'm afraid Adam Lambert misses the point on this one.
January 5, 2013 at 9:34PM EST Reply to Comment
Jason

An American idol reject. Crowe should have went Gladiator style on him
January 6, 2013 at 5:30PM EST Reply to Comment
maplelover.242

The vocals suited the films story, Sorry lambert that everyone didn't add frills to suit you.
January 6, 2013 at 5:59PM EST Reply to Comment
hope

I would stand outside in the rain to see Russell Crowe, yet I wouldn't walk outside to see Adam. Whats that tell ya Adam? You have zero class.
January 9, 2013 at 3:04PM EST Reply to Comment
- Morgan Love this! I completely agree with you!
  January 22, 2013 at 8:29PM EST
EC$alary

The movie was just okay. Hugh Jackman was terrible at singing. Don't even try to argue. Even if it was supposed to be that way, that doesn't mean it's good. Anne Hathaway wasn't as good as everyone said either. Her character wasn't likable.
January 9, 2013 at 9:07PM EST Reply to Comment
EC$alary

It was just okay. Hugh Jackmans singing was terrible. Even if it was supposed to sound that way, that doesn't mean it's good. Anne Hathaway wasn't the best either. Her character was not likable.
January 9, 2013 at 9:09PM EST Reply to Comment
- You are all shitheads. Your opinion doesn't matter
  January 10, 2013 at 5:44PM EST
Liz

Adam Lambert is pretty good if a singer. He would know.
January 11, 2013 at 2:53PM EST Reply to Comment
barkeep

how is adam lambert an authority on anything? how many awards, sold out headlining shows does he have? none? who is he and why does anyone care what he thinks?
January 11, 2013 at 3:18PM EST Reply to Comment
Lyric

Crowe is not a singer, and fact is, by making it 'raw' with a lot of people who aren't really singers, it took the power and passion out of all songs except the group songs. There are times when the characters are supposed to sound angry, but they always sounded like they were going to cry. Yes, songs need their weak points to sound emotional, but they also need their strong points.
January 12, 2013 at 8:15PM EST Reply to Comment
Tom

I can see where he's coing from and I found Russell Crowe's acting wooden and one dimensional and his singing mediocre. I've never heard such a weak and boring rendition of Stars before. Crowe was totally miscast!
January 13, 2013 at 6:31PM EST Reply to Comment
Matilda

You call this a beef? Seems like an exaggeration.
January 13, 2013 at 8:36PM EST Reply to Comment
Dudley Toevs

I saw the original from London, in D.C. and twelve other stage productions. I have seen the three versions on Turner Classic. The current film I have seen three times. I am an actor and professionally trained singer...Jackman: A-, Hathaway: A; Crowe: D.
I do not know where Javer was, but it was not in this film. Crowe is not bringing "raw and real" to the part. "...and I felt NOTHING!"---from "Chorus Line".
January 14, 2013 at 4:13PM EST Reply to Comment
- Jeffrey Dunn (Post continued) Crowe's dramatic choices made him the most complex and interesting Javert I have seen (and I have seen and listened to many in various languages). Would I want to see Crowe in a stage version? Perhaps not-different mediums. But would I want to see a technically beautifully sung but bloodless performance by Lambert, say, as Marius - no thanks. Give me great singing actors over indulgent vocalists any time. J
  January 14, 2013 at 6:44PM EST
- Jeffrey Dunn (First part of post)
  Listen to Lambert sing "Come To Me, Bend To me" (BRIGADOON) on YouTube. The voice is gorgeous but the performance is SO self-indulgent that the dazzle wears off at the end, leaving the listener exhausted and bored. Musical Theater singing cannot be only about the voice and I fear that Lambert does not understand that yet. Harness his voice to his heart and his brain and you might have something. But for now he should study Crowe' performance for what is so effective about it. Watch, listen and learn.
  January 14, 2013 at 6:56PM EST
beb

vocals were okay, jackman was a bit scratchy at times ( i though valjean should have a deeper voice as well), crowe was decent, eddie= perfection as well as eponine, everyone else was just OKAY
January 15, 2013 at 9:46PM EST Reply to Comment
I was very impressed with the show and vocals
January 16, 2013 at 3:56PM EST Reply to Comment
Vixen :P

Honestly, I feel it is very shitty to be so judgmental. He wants their voices to be fake, and raw and real is always nicer. Adam Lambert has to get off the high horse a bit. Yes, you have been in broadway for a while and such, but people saying that he knows better because of that is like saying that because I am a mother I know all about parenting and I know the exact right way. So they tried something new, I think Russell Crowe did a good job for what it was. They all did very well for being Actors. No they are not all experienced singers, but it was a great movie. This was a Musical made into a movie, so it is going to be a bit different than a Broadway play. I like that they tried something new and Adam does not know everything, I am pretty sure he is being over critical. It isn't like they were all like, omg ! I could totally make a cd and make millions. :P
January 19, 2013 at 10:37PM EST Reply to Comment
loquela

The film's vocal style was incredible and an excellent decision by the director. Most of the players did a fantastic job creating a gritty, believable vocals. The mistake was having Crowe completely massacre what should have been some of the most stirring and powerful moments of the movie. He killed Javert every time he attempted to sing. How can the decision to cast Crowe in this ever be justified?
January 21, 2013 at 3:26PM EST Reply to Comment
cath

I loved it. I knew it was not studio quality and that was what made it better. Get over yourselves.
January 22, 2013 at 1:51AM EST Reply to Comment
cath

I loved it.
January 22, 2013 at 1:51AM EST Reply to Comment
Lady Sybilla

I adored the film through and through, singing, performances, everything. Adam Lambert is way too overconfident. He thinks he's a better singer than the actors, but he's just another AI artist with no unique vocal style. He's not even selling records anymore. He's jealous b/c he's so yesterday, and Les Miserables is a major Hollywood production that became an instant timeless classic. He wishes he were in Russell Crowe's shoes. I don't know why Russell even bothered to acknowledge Adam's tweet.
January 23, 2013 at 2:08AM EST Reply to Comment
Hyped

Adam should have nothing to brag about, a loser on Idol and his music is crap.!!!!!
January 23, 2013 at 2:57PM EST Reply to Comment
Hyped

wake up Adam , who are you to criticize you lost out on Idol because you were voted out,,, plus your music is crap
January 23, 2013 at 3:00PM EST Reply to Comment
admanda

Crowe's response is cute, not beefing, I think they should get together and hug ('n'tug) it out. *drool
January 24, 2013 at 4:58PM EST Reply to Comment

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Russell Crowe responds to Adam Lambert's 'Les Miserables' criticism

Actor says that director Tom Hooper wanted vocals to be 'raw and real'

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Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Tyler The realism of Les Miz's singing live makes it unique and I say good on Hooper for making that decision.

SB24 I don't know who Adam Lambert is and don't care...having seen the play in Hollywood in the 80's as a teen and again in the 2000's and now this version, still love it and it was done great...way more than I expected!

I loved how it was done it was real and made it believable

phil Crowd had a commanding Mas uline presence that Lambert couldn't otherwise present…although he has before only as a sensuous or parody of masculinity

Zoe I loved it! And Russell Crowe's voice? Amazing, beautiful, if it was food it'd be rich chocolate. I'd far rather listen to him than Adam. The lack of polish is a good thing.

Crow3711 This comment is hysterical.

Slkkmg3 Russell Crowe is a great actor, but if you know anything about music, and especially the original play, you cannot seriously think he was a good choice, vocally.

So true Russel is better than Adam will ever be. I think Adam is threatened by Crowe's performance.

Allmyne2001 To Adam Lambert an "American Idol" losing contestant. Raw is real. The story line is what the movie was about not the singing, however good or bad. Stick to almost winning and let the actors stick to always acting (most for many years and successfully) and almost singing.

mocka Yep. Adam seems to think that in the real world, everyone has a voice for broadway.

Allison @gdfklvsn I respect your opinion but honestly REALLY? This was a movie. Not a broadway musical. So why would you have broadway singers? It makes absolutely no sense. If you are going to make a movie out of it then DON'T use broadway singers, that's why they have broadway.

dance62 Post a comment...

phil I liked the vocals-it was appropriate. Adam Lambert is a legend in his own mind.

Stormshadow4life Whoa, Russell really lost his cool there! He's out of control! ;)I actually thought he was a lot better than some of the reviews have been saying. In fact, I enjoyed his vocal performance more than Jackman's.

Seaver I 100% agree with you. My girlfriend and I were in AWE when Russel Crowe sang. He was our favorite part of the movie ^_^.

sara He is so emotional when he sang it made me cry even moren

mocka From my historical perspective, everyone in bf France in the 12 century, hookers and heroes, all sung like broadway stars.

I'm not sure what about the film was unmusical. I've been performing music for years and the actors did a fairly decent job if you ask me.

L Martin That is one of the things I loved about the film, that the actors' singing was raw and real, not perfect. Fabulous film all the way around, and i usually hate stage adapted for screen. I'm afraid Adam Lambert misses the point on this one.

Jason An American idol reject. Crowe should have went Gladiator style on him

maplelover.242 The vocals suited the films story, Sorry lambert that everyone didn't add frills to suit you.

hope I would stand outside in the rain to see Russell Crowe, yet I wouldn't walk outside to see Adam. Whats that tell ya Adam? You have zero class.

Morgan Love this! I completely agree with you!

EC$alary The movie was just okay. Hugh Jackman was terrible at singing. Don't even try to argue. Even if it was supposed to be that way, that doesn't mean it's good. Anne Hathaway wasn't as good as everyone said either. Her character wasn't likable.

EC$alary It was just okay. Hugh Jackmans singing was terrible. Even if it was supposed to sound that way, that doesn't mean it's good. Anne Hathaway wasn't the best either. Her character was not likable.

You are all shitheads. Your opinion doesn't matter

Liz Adam Lambert is pretty good if a singer. He would know.

barkeep how is adam lambert an authority on anything? how many awards, sold out headlining shows does he have? none? who is he and why does anyone care what he thinks?

Tom I can see where he's coing from and I found Russell Crowe's acting wooden and one dimensional and his singing mediocre. I've never heard such a weak and boring rendition of Stars before. Crowe was totally miscast!

Matilda You call this a beef? Seems like an exaggeration.

beb vocals were okay, jackman was a bit scratchy at times ( i though valjean should have a deeper voice as well), crowe was decent, eddie= perfection as well as eponine, everyone else was just OKAY

I was very impressed with the show and vocals

cath I loved it. I knew it was not studio quality and that was what made it better. Get over yourselves.

cath I loved it.

Hyped Adam should have nothing to brag about, a loser on Idol and his music is crap.!!!!!

Hyped wake up Adam , who are you to criticize you lost out on Idol because you were voted out,,, plus your music is crap

admanda Crowe's response is cute, not beefing, I think they should get together and hug ('n'tug) it out. *drool

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Tyler

The realism of Les Miz's singing live makes it unique and I say good on Hooper for making that decision.

Zoe

I loved it! And Russell Crowe's voice? Amazing, beautiful, if it was food it'd be rich chocolate. I'd far rather listen to him than Adam. The lack of polish is a good thing.

Allmyne2001

To Adam Lambert an "American Idol" losing contestant. Raw is real. The story line is what the movie was about not the singing, however good or bad. Stick to almost winning and let the actors stick to always acting (most for many years and successfully) and almost singing.

Stormshadow4life

Whoa, Russell really lost his cool there! He's out of control! ;)

I actually thought he was a lot better than some of the reviews have been saying. In fact, I enjoyed his vocal performance more than Jackman's.

L Martin

That is one of the things I loved about the film, that the actors' singing was raw and real, not perfect. Fabulous film all the way around, and i usually hate stage adapted for screen. I'm afraid Adam Lambert misses the point on this one.

Jason

An American idol reject. Crowe should have went Gladiator style on him

maplelover.242

The vocals suited the films story, Sorry lambert that everyone didn't add frills to suit you.

hope

I would stand outside in the rain to see Russell Crowe, yet I wouldn't walk outside to see Adam. Whats that tell ya Adam? You have zero class.

EC$alary

The movie was just okay. Hugh Jackman was terrible at singing. Don't even try to argue. Even if it was supposed to be that way, that doesn't mean it's good. Anne Hathaway wasn't as good as everyone said either. Her character wasn't likable.

EC$alary

It was just okay. Hugh Jackmans singing was terrible. Even if it was supposed to sound that way, that doesn't mean it's good. Anne Hathaway wasn't the best either. Her character was not likable.

Liz

Adam Lambert is pretty good if a singer. He would know.

barkeep

how is adam lambert an authority on anything? how many awards, sold out headlining shows does he have? none? who is he and why does anyone care what he thinks?

Tom

I can see where he's coing from and I found Russell Crowe's acting wooden and one dimensional and his singing mediocre. I've never heard such a weak and boring rendition of Stars before. Crowe was totally miscast!

Matilda

You call this a beef? Seems like an exaggeration.

beb

vocals were okay, jackman was a bit scratchy at times ( i though valjean should have a deeper voice as well), crowe was decent, eddie= perfection as well as eponine, everyone else was just OKAY

cath

I loved it. I knew it was not studio quality and that was what made it better. Get over yourselves.

cath

I loved it.

Hyped

Adam should have nothing to brag about, a loser on Idol and his music is crap.!!!!!

Hyped

wake up Adam , who are you to criticize you lost out on Idol because you were voted out,,, plus your music is crap

admanda

Crowe's response is cute, not beefing, I think they should get together and hug ('n'tug) it out. *drool

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