Rating: 
Summary: Les Miserables: The movie
Review: I did not like this movie much at all! I thought that it was good, but it didn't stick to the story at all. Eponine wasn't even in it. Whoever made this movie had a really great chance to make something really, really, fabulous, but I think that they blew it. Next time they make a movie based on an excellent classic like Les Miserables they should base it closer to the story.
Rating: 
Summary: This Movie Does an Injutice to Victor Hugo's Brilliant Novel
Review: Having read Victor Hugo's masterpiece of French literature, I was disappointed to no end by this movie adaptation. Firstly, I must say that the casting was superbly done - the respective actors perfectly match ones illusion of Hugo's protagonists (Claire Danes and Jeffrey Rush are absolutely perfect fits). However the story is a 'quickie'. It leaves out much information about the characters, thereby not endearing us to them as Hugo was able to do in his text. The movie has become nothing more than a 'run-of-the-mill' Hollywood love story. In doing so, it becomes shallow, and the movie viewer is not able to appreciate the true intricacy of Hugo's work; the many crossing of paths, the social commentary which accompanies the story. The ending in particular is terribly disappointing. It ends when the novel is in its twilight stage, though with an immensely interesting part to come. To be honest, I read the epic novel first, loving it greatly for the genius evident in it, and I put-off watching the movie until after reading the 1200 odd pages of text, so as not to spoil the ending - words can not describe the disappointment, the movie does a great injustice to the book. In my opinion, save yourself the time of watching the video and begin to read the unabridged text - you will be astounded by the continual quality and pace of such a long book (but by no means tedious!).
Rating:
Summary: Miserable Les Miserables
Review: I guess I would have thought of this movie as fair enough had I not both read the book and seen the musical in advance. Having done both, however, I was very disapointed with this version of Victor Hugo's great tale of the French Revolution. Although Bille August is a great director, this movie is much too typical of Hollywood to be very interesting. Eponine is written out of the story(!). The whole political message (of quite a historical importance) has had to give way for a clishé love-story. Compared to the Marius in the book and in the musical, this Marius seems stupid and superficial. My advice is: Do not buy/rent this movie if you have read the book or seen the musical. It will bore and disapoint you.
Rating: 
Summary: My all-time favorite
Review: I saw this film a few years ago, and had never experienced the novel or musical versions of the story. The film grabbed me, galvanized me, turned my heart inside out and back again... and I'm not an easy guy to do that to. I must admit that I agree with the other reviews on this page that describe the second half of the film - and its focus on "teen angst" - as less enjoyable; but for me, their only ultimate effect is to cause Valjean's nobility and humility to shine even more as the focus switches to emotions and relationships which are shallow and superfluous compared to his own. After watching this film several times and only enjoying it more each time, I decided it was time to read the novel. I did so, and enjoyed it immensely, staying up to 4 am and getting teary-eyed as I read the final scenes. But I think the film shines even by comparison to this classic work, and it remains my all-time favorite movie. Liam Neeson became my favorite actor because of this film, and still holds that place. His portrayal is perfect as far as I'm concerned. The burst of violence against Javert doesn't seem inconsistent. The more controversial striking of Cosette doesn't strike me as particularly out of character. To me, it serves to show that Valjean has tremendous energy, and his maintaining a calm exterior is only a statement of his even greater self-control. Most of all, it shows how totally his heart is tied to Cosette, and how devastated he is by the threat of losing her (something that the film had relatively few other chances to depict, compared to the book). That scene might have been inconsistent, but even if so, Neeson's flawless acting saved it from being so.
Rating: 
Summary: Les Miz fans beware
Review: I was extremely disappointed by this adaptation of the book. Having read the book and seen the musical, I was unable to watch the movie as a uninfluenced obserever and so I was very upset by what they chose to include and leave out from the book. I have yet to see an adaptation of this book that is worthy of what Victor Hugo wrote. They turn a story full of intricate connections and wonderful character development into what Hollywood is famous for, romance and a little action. Marius bares little resemblance to the character that Hugo formed, neither does Cosette. And where was Eponine? As a book and as a musical, this story moves me, as a movie, it was a giant flop. If you are a fan of the book, stay away from the movie. If you watched this movie as though it was the book, you are far off the mark.
Rating: 
Summary: Great acting, disappointing end, though...
Review: The thing I liked most about this movie was the amazing chemestry between Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush... They both, I thought, did an excellent job of depicting the conflict between Valjean and Javert. I was a little disappointed with the ending, though - When I watched it for the first time, I wasn't expecting it to have ended where it did (Javert's death). I haven't read the book, but I have seen the broadway play a couple of times, and I was expecting it to have followed the storyline of the play a little more than it did, since the play is hugely popular. I was also a little disappointed that Eponine was virtually non-existant in this movie - I don't recall seeing her appear, maybe she might have, but I missed her. I do think that it was worth the money to see in the theater, and to buy on VHS or DVD, so I gave it 4 stars, because the acting is really good, which in turn makes it worthwile and entertaining for me to watch, despite these few minor disappointments I had regarding the parts that were left out from the play... Also, if you are a fan of any of the actors/actresses in this (I'm a Liam Neeson fan), it could also be worth your while, since I thought the acting and portrayal of all the major characters was superb, in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: A perfect drama with a perfect cast!
Review: I watched "Les Miserables" expecting an OK movie, yet I was astonished at the discovery of one of the best movies of all times! Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Bush make the perfect pair, and the acting talent of Uma Thurman and Claire Danes just adds to the quality. Also, the story was compelling and beautifully written, adapted from the novel by Victor Hugo. The plot is as follows: a convict on parole -- Jean Veljean -- is shown hospitality by a priest and his wife, but in the middle of the night he steals from the man and escapes. When he is caught and brought back to the priest, the priest lets him go, and gives him a chance to become a new man. Years later Jean becomes the mayor of a small town by the name of Vigo, but is endangered when a new inspector comes to town, who just happens to be Jean's old parole officer. Suddenly he is reminded of the fact that in France once you are a convict you remain a convict for life, and that he must accomplish a great struggle for freedom. I shall say no more, for I neither wish to spoil the ending for you, nor give away the whole story. I guess the best way I can sum all this up is by making the following statement: buy this movie, and you won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully acted, One of the best movies!
Review: True, it is not quite the book, but you must give credit to the writers and director for making such a long book into a wonderful movie which explains the finer points of the book so well! Les Miserables is a wonderful movie, and Liam Neeson and Geofferey Rush are superb in their roles! I have read the complete book, as well as watched the movie several times, both are wonderful. I do suggest watching the movie before reading the book, it will make it much easier to understand. This movie is absolutely captivating, you can't help but hate Javert, and love Jean Valjean, and wish for Marius and Cosette to fall in love. Yes, while the book goes much farther into detail, the movie captures it beautifully...
Rating:
Summary: A great movie...
Review: The tragic tale of Jean Valjean is remade wonderfully in this tale of "the miserable". I aggre a bit on the excess amount of focus on cosette, for this story is supposed to be about Jean Valjean. However, This is an excellent movie still, an neeson is very well cast as Jean Valjean.
Rating:
Summary: A great film in its own right!
Review: Plot spoilers ahead . . . I've never read the book, so I can't say if this film does a fair adaptation of that or not, but I know the plot of the musical and this does a pretty good job of following it. I know Eponine is cut out of the film entirely, and that characters have slightly different personalities, but what's the point of doing a re-make if everything is the _same_ as all the other versions? I think what I liked best about this film was that it gave it a happy ending without _changing_ anything. It simply cut off the rest of the plot: Javier jumps into the Seine, and Jean Valjean walks away, finally smiling, realizing that, at long last, he was free. That's it; the end; role credits. Nothing changed; we just don't stick around to see if Valjean does indeed die at the "actual end". I was very happy to assume that Valjean goes on to see Marius and Cosette marry and lives the rest of his life in freedom and peace. The acting is superb, the music haunting. Give this film a try! I must say I miss hearing "Master of the House", though . . . :)
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