Les Misérables (2012)
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A man seeking redemption after a long imprisonment must navigate a life of sacrifice and the turmoil of a brewing revolution.
The story
Set in France during the early nineteenth century, the film follows Jean Valjean, a man who, after serving a nineteen-year sentence for stealing bread, is released and seeks to forge a new life. However, his past remains a threat as he is hunted for decades by the relentless policeman Javert. While attempting to live honestly and care for a young girl named Cosette, Valjean's journey becomes increasingly perilous. The narrative builds toward a climax set against the backdrop of the June Rebellion of 1832, where the personal struggles of the characters collide with the political unrest of the era.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1815, Jean Valjean is released from prison after nineteen years for stealing bread. After being shown mercy by a bishop, he breaks his parole to start a new life. Years later, he is a successful man, but his identity is threatened by the policeman Javert. Valjean eventually takes in the young Cosette after the tragic death of her mother, Fantine. The story moves forward to 1832, where the revolutionist group Friends of the ABC plots against the monarchy. Marius Pontmercy falls in love with Cosette, and the plot culminates in a violent uprising in Paris. During the conflict, Éponine dies in the arms of Marius, and Valjean joins the rebellion to protect Marius. Valjean eventually releases Javert, who then commits suicide. Following the fall of the barricades, Valjean dies peacefully after revealing his past to Marius, and the film ends with a vision of the characters in the afterlife.
- First release year
- 2012
- Runtime (minutes)
- 157
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Tom Hooper
- Writers
- William Nicholson · screenplay; Alain Boublil · screenplay; Claude-Michel Schönberg · screenplay; Herbert Kretzmer · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Hugh Jackman · Jean Valjean; Russell Crowe · Javert; Anne Hathaway · Fantine; Eddie Redmayne · Marius Pontmercy; Amanda Seyfried · Cosette; Helena Bonham Carter · Thénardiers; Sacha Baron Cohen · Thénardiers; Samantha Barks · Éponine
- Genres
- musical; drama; historical
- Themes
- redemption; forgiveness; love; social injustice
- Tone and mood
- epic; emotional; tragic
- Premise and plot tags
- musical; historical epic; period piece
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1862 novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo and the stage musical of the same name by Schönberg, Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel.
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics, praising the direction, production values, musical numbers, and the performances of the cast, while some criticism was directed at Russell Crowe's performance.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 70% · scale: percentage · review count: 252; Metacritic · score: 63 · scale: 100 · review count: 41; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe Award · Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy · win; Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · win; Academy Award · Best Makeup and Hairstyling · win; Academy Award · Best Sound Mixing · win; Academy Award · Best Actor · nomination; Academy Award · Best Picture · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was based on a stage musical that was in development hell for over ten years.; The cast recorded their vocals live on set with live piano accompaniment.; The film was nominated for eight categories at the 85th Academy Awards.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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