If there is a shining star of the film, it is Anne Hathaway. Her portrayal of Fantine is devastating. Hathaway committed fully to the role, losing a dangerous amount of weight and shaving her head. Her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" became the centerpiece of the film’s marketing for a reason. Shot in one unflinching take with a tight close-up, Hathaway sings through tears, snot, and gasps. It is a masterclass in acting through song, earning her a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In the pantheon of Western literature, few works loom as large as Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables . It is a monolith of a novel, a sprawling tapestry of history, sociology, and human redemption that has captivated readers for over a century. Translating such a beast to the screen is a Herculean task; translating it as a musical is arguably even riskier. Yet, in December 2012, director Tom Hooper accepted the challenge. Following his Oscar-winning success with The King’s Speech , Hooper delivered a cinematic event that was grand, divisive, and undeniably powerful. les miserables 2012 movie
Tom Hooper flipped the script. He decided that the actors would sing live during the actual takes. A pianist would play the music in their earpieces, and the full orchestral score would be added in post-production. If there is a shining star of the film, it is Anne Hathaway
To understand the 2012 adaptation, one must first understand its most significant technical innovation. In almost every movie musical prior to Les Misérables , the actors would pre-record their songs in a sterile studio environment months before filming. On set, they would lip-sync to their own voices. This ensures perfect audio quality but often sacrifices the spontaneity of a live performance. Her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" became
As the protagonist, Hugh Jackman carried the weight of the film. A seasoned musical theater veteran, Jackman’s physical transformation was striking. He portrayed Valjean’s journey from feral prisoner to dignified mayor with a ferocity that is difficult to capture on stage. While purists critiqued certain vocal moments—specifically the use of growling tones in "What Have I Done"—Jackman’s performance is undeniably anchored in character acting. He sings not to impress, but to survive.
Eddie Redmayne, playing the revolutionary Marius, brought a sincere, boyish charm to the role. His performance of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" is a highlight of the film’s second act. Alongside him, Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) and Samantha Barks (Éponine) provided vocal excellence. Barks, reprising her role from the 25th Anniversary Concert, was a particularly strong choice, grounding the film with a performer who knew the material inside and out.
Visually, the 2012 movie is a feast, though one with a distinct flavor that some found difficult to digest. Hooper utilized wide-angle lenses and an abundance of close-ups. This technique aimed to bring the audience into the characters' internal worlds. In numbers like "Soliloquy" or "I Dreamed a Dream," the camera is inches from the actors' faces. You see every pore, every bead of sweat, and every tear.