My affections for this musical are so great, I'm both extremely elated and worried about the film version.
I'm really keeping it all quite simple in my head. As a one of the show's most biggest and loyal fans, I have to, or I'll go nuts, lol.
I only wish for a good film adaptation that does the original tale and music justice. I hope Hooper is all about telling this story and--like the original stage production--every last detail is there for the sole purpose of telling that story, as well.
As tempted as I am to say I require the show's original '87 orchs to be used in the film, I won't because I think that is asking too much. I have faith that whoever is hired to adapt the stage production's original John Cameron orchestration does so with the intention of retaining the characterization embedded in his work that plays such a central role in this musical piece of storytelling's effectiveness. They will deeply hurt this piece if they go with the recent attempts at "updating" it. Something like the 10th anniversary concert would be absolutely fantastic, and something like the original '87 work would be a dream come true. Something like the 2006 revival or current anniversary tour would not be Les Miserables to me, and while the actors and all other elements that are going into telling the story might be excellent, those talents paired alongside John's incredibly potent work would be something they can't possibly deprive us from.
John's work is at its core ideal for the film version. People seem to have forgotten that the original production was staged cinematically. It's lamentable how that term is used nowadays to describe a bunch of cheesy projections, CGI, and other cheap video gimmicks that cannot surpass the ingenious use of lighting and innovative stagecraft that was so notable in the original. John obviously orchestrated with this fluidity in mind and it's apparent in the way the score seems to move, ushering new eras in as well as introducing and dismissing characters and moods and even evoking a sense of time and space. I get these incredible images in my head when I try visualizing scenes of how the film might turn out against John's original musical language and it thrills on a scale that can only elevate an already effective score of such an affecting tale.
I firmly believe the '06 revival would still be running on Broadway had they not watered down and stripped the show of its musical identity, character that was so tightly integrated with its cinematic direction and served as each character's internal voice.
Having spewed all of that, I wish the film cast all the best. I'm sure they will treat the piece with love.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.
