The film adaptation of the long-running musical is bombastic, melodramatic and begs ample tolerance for its virtually unbroken two-and-a-half-hour stream of shamelessly sentimental song. It is also handsomely presented with crowd scenes of epic grandeur and a host of fine performances from big names, not all of whom you would expect to be able to hold a note. Anne Hathaway's rendition of 'I Dreamed a Dream' is perhaps the stand-out piece, utterly heartrending in its delivery. The bottom line is that you either allow yourself to be immersed and swept along by its full brunt or have a miserable time resisting instead.
It is rather forced to have even every one-line interjection turn into quasi-song halfway through. Casting Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe respectively as Valjean, the redeemed ex-convict, and Javert, the representative of vindictive tyranny, does also bring to mind Homer Simpson sitting down to watch
Paint Your Wagon with the
eager anticipation of a monumental dust-up between Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin, turning to dismay as they start singing at each other instead. Nevertheless, the relentlessly bulldozing power of this production is undeniable.
6/10
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