Now that Into The Woods is out, can we finally stop pretending Les Miserable was good?- Page 2

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/28/14 at 3:10pm

"Stop pretending"? Is that you, T-Gar?

Updated On: 12/28/14 at 03:10 PM

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 12/28/14 at 5:01pm

I don't understand how anyone could possibly enjoy any version of Les Mis other than the film, revival, or 25th anniversary concert. Before those it was a campy, crappy, new wave - sounding rock musical with a few good songs.
I mean good god those original orchestrations were the the worst orchestrations ever written for musical theatre. The Les Mis film is also the only movie musical that felt natural and allowed for top notch performances from *most* of the cast.

so yes Into the Woods came out and it's great , but Les Mis was great too. I won't stop "pretending."

Updated On: 12/28/14 at 05:01 PM

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/28/14 at 7:32pm

To me, I will always think that LES MISERABLES was a really good musical film that was a bit risky that paid off well enough. Yet, INTO THE WOODS was in such a class of it's own that it's material hit me in the heart that an good old fashioned musical film adaptation could still be GREAT that it didn't NEED the tricks that LES MIS had. That's why I think INTO THE WOODS is a better musical film than LES MIS in the end.

I agree with the NY POST review of INTO THE WOODS that it's "The best musical film of this century".

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 1:09am

N2N and Jeffrey, your comments regarding Russell Crowe probably belong in the thread concerning controversial opinions as well as in this thread. That's because most folks I've talked to and most reviews I've read seem to respond to Crowe's performance in Les Miz the same way they respond to Stephen Moyers' performance in the live TV SOM -- They view both performances the same way I view a Mitch McConnell speech.

Opinion differences are what gives the world texture, and you guys are entitled to yours. However, if you were to say that you think Mitch McConnell's speeches are stimulating and inspiring, I might wonder if you came from a different planet.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 1:12am

Well, I liked Russell Crowe as Javert in LES MISERABLES as well.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 1:12am

Updated On: 12/29/14 at 01:12 AM

[RooMcGoo]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 2:10am

Wait, we are brain twins. One of the last jokes of my Into the Woods recap is "here's to not having to pretend the Les Mis movie was remotely acceptable anymore...Not that I ever did." Great minds think alike!
An Incomplete History of Into the Woods

[1000songs]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 5:52am

Les Mis is actually one of the best films I have ever seen it was amazing great acting great ideas much more better than the stage show in London.

[Fantod]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 6:01am

The movie was probably the best case for the show I've seen, though Hugh Jackman and Samantha Barks were both miserable. It made the show actually seem like a story instead of just an opportunity for spectacle.

[Fantod]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 6:03am

The best adaptation of Les Miserables as a story, however, is the 1935 Boleslawski movie

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 6:07am

I just half-watched LES MISERABLES on one of the premium channels the other night. I remember liking it when it was first released but a mere two years later it has not (At least for me) held up very well. The live singing approach was it's ultimate downfall, not to mention the fact that you can't even hear the orchestra at all and some of the actors hired had no business singing, and when you can't hear the orchestra and the singing is not up to par in a MUSICAL then that to me is an EPIC FAIL.

[kudelicek]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 7:41am

I really love LES MISERABLES (stage version). And so wanted a movie...And yes, I like movie:
+ live realistic singing, costumes; Jackman, Hathaway, Barks,Redmayne etc
But:
- camera, soft orchestra; Crowe (so nasal, snuffle) and Seyfried (look older then Marius, has big tremolo); change order of some numbers (On My Own - great song but WHY in the movie is next great song (One day more)?)

INTO THE WOODS is in my Top 20 too. I couldnt watch the movie now and have to wait to April!!!
And I hope that ITW will be/is as good as LM or more

Updated On: 12/29/14 at 07:41 AM

[mamaleh]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 10:08am

No one has to pretend anything. Isn't this a board on which to share honest opinions? As a property, I probably like INTO THE WOODS more than LES MIZ. Why? Although the latter is more epic in scope, I really cannot abide those 30-something "students" in any production; would have liked to see more Valjean-Javert and less screen/stage time on others. ITW speaks to universal hopes and fears. But that's just me.

Re LES MIZ I thought Hugh Jackman was a first-rate Valjean. As to Russell Crowe, one needn't be a deep baritone/bass to be menacing. Some of the scariest people speak in hushed tones. Hathaway was a bit too shrill and strident for my taste, but Samantha Barks was just right. It was a worldwide hit and deserved that status. I wish the same for ITW.

[Marway44]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 12:21pm

I never pretended! I hated the movie, but love the show! My biggest erk about the movie, besides some really bad singing, was (SPOILER), the deaths of the revolutionaries. They wanted to die fighting for what they believed in and in the movie they ran away hiding. They were looking to get into doors, windows, and then hiding in that upstairs room. I really hate that.

[Bwaydide92]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 2:41pm

Whether you liked Les Mis or not, this video is pretty funny.
Everything Wrong with Les Miserables

[jo]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 3:29pm

We all have personal preferences and liking one over another should be expected. In some cases, it can be explained by how the material has resonated with us personally. But as Mamaleh expressed, shouldn't we all be celebrating that the success of the film adaptations of both shows may likely lead to more film musical projects in the future?

Re the 30-something casting of the barricade boys -- Hooper wanted to cast them in their early 20's initially, but pragmatism ruled that out. The West End provided the experienced performers who were no longer in their 20's, plus I suspect they were the concession to having both theatre capitals get representation in the film adaptation. The barricade boys and the factory girls from the West End...and Aaron Tveit from Broadway.

As to the alleged cowardice -- if you read the book, that is exactly what Hugo wrote. It was not so much a form of cowardice but "an instinct for self- preservation and a deeply implanted love of life" that had some of the young students seeking shelter in the houses by the barricade.

Hooper embued a stronger sense of realism into his film adaptation. He was more faithful to the novel by Victor Hugo than the book and musical score from the original creative team of the stage musical. That has also prompted his strong advocacy for live singing, as his cinematic vision focused on a masterful storytelling with the acting complemented by the appropriate singing choices. If that doesn't sit well with musical theatre purists- that is a matter of preference, too. I have just rewatched the movie adaptation and I am glad that it happened the way he envisioned it.

Re Into the Woods -- my bragging rights include having seen it in its original staging on Broadway. LOL- it was my first Sondheim and I must confess that I came out somewhat confused ( grim fairy tales and somewhat unusual music?)...But in my case, Sondheim has grown on me, and I ended up getting all available DVDs for my collection, including Evening Primrose ( which happen to include my favorite Sondheim song, I Remember Sky). I like Passion, too, because I do like more conventional melodies and it is one of his most melodic scores. But again, this is a personal preference, not necessarily passing judgement on what is better.

Btw, here is an audio clip of the film Valjean ( Hugh Jackman) singing a duet with Debra Byrne ( Fantine in Australia) from two songs from INTO THE WOODS : NO ONE IS ALONE and CHILDREN LISTEN. I think it is quite a poignant rendition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W14-bH2fWpo











Updated On: 12/29/14 at 03:29 PM

[South Florida]

Posted: 1/3/15 at 1:19am

Didn't enjoy either one of these,I think the first one cause they had bad singers and this one cause I wasn't too fond of the music, oh well. It sold enough they'll keep trying, so all is good.

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 1/3/15 at 2:05am

I like the les mis movie, and I liked Russell crowe, his singing may not have been the best but it was fine for the movie interpretation (which is all any movie is, not a loyal copy of the original show) and his acting more than made up for it. He was especially strong in the confrontation.

My only issue with the movie is Hugh Jackman. Sure he can sing, dance and act, but none of them does he excel at and acting I'd say is his weakest talent and it shows in les mis. I swear he has become as big as he is because more of his charisma and looks instead of overall talent.

Oh and Aaron Twait who had about as much screen presence as a piece of wood. Why he was cast god only knows.

As for the baracade boys, most of them were in their twenties when it was shot, mid to late but still in their twenties and it's the first time I've heard their age be an issue, they looked the right age. And I also loved their deaths, more powerful and real. When you're facing your death you likely would be scared. It wasn't cowardice, it was the realisation of their situation and that they were facing their deaths with no way out

I think a lot of people want the belting power vocals on screen like you get on stage, but that rarely works on film, especially for modern audiences. And films that have stuck quite close to their stage versions tend to flop.

Into The Woods hasn't opened here yet so I can't compare, my only concern is Meryl Streep as I didn't go loopy (like some did) over her voice in mamma mia.

Updated On: 1/3/15 at 02:05 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/3/15 at 11:03am

It's interesting to revisit it, because the one performance agreed to be the "event," Hathaway's, to me seems over the top, so overwrought I wanted to scream, "at least pull the damn camera back." I remember how I was genuinely moved by the snippets of a different take employed in the trailer. But the one selected for the finished film, the grand guignol version of her iconic song, seems ill-chosen, or selected for its insistence on covering the Kubler-Ross Scale for grief (she does everything but projectile vomit). As the late great Arthur Storch used to say, she was feeling so much there was nothing left for me. (And I'm easy, I mean I cry at "Best in Show.")

Updated On: 1/3/15 at 11:03 AM

[darquegk]

Posted: 1/3/15 at 11:13am

The revolutionaries weren't hiding from death- they were fighting the way they would have fought it. Onstage, we buy that they stand on a single barricaded wall and get shot down, but the stage "barricade" is a representation of the sort of guerilla-style fighting environment that the book, and the movie, depict.

Just because they knew they were going down fighting doesn't mean they were standing in front of a tank, or going all Jax Teller hands-off-the-handlebars in the final assault.