Les Misérables
Director: Bille August.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman and Claire Danes.
Various film versions of Les Misérables exist, so it’s not immediately obvious why a new one was needed, particularly one in English, but the story is so epic that it can be retold over and over.
The story, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, is too complex to do justice to here, but here goes: Set in 19th century France, the main plot revolves around ex-convict Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson), who, after 19 years hard labour has broken his parole and set up a new life for himself as mayor of the small village of Vigau. Inspector Javert (Geoffrey Rush), who is sent to join the Vigau police recognises Valjean, forcing him to flee to Paris. He takes with him Cosette, daughter of Fantine (Uma Thurman) who Valjean had cared for in Vigau. The two become caught up in the events of the 1832 revolution.
The performances are good in general, with Neeson particularly good in the lead role and Rush making an excellent villain, but Uma Thurman is embarrassingly melodramatic as the dying Fantine. The production meets all the requirements for a period piece; filmed in Prague, it looks utterly convincing as 19th century France.
On occasions the dialogue appeared a little stilted but the story itself is so absorbing that this hardly mattered. In an era almost saturated with period dramas brought to the big screen, Les Misérables stands above the pack.
Helen Chandler
