After years of telling myself I would, on July 4th I finally sat down and watched Hamilton. I remember this show back in its heyday. It was everywhere and although I love history, a musical about a Founding Father did not interest me at all. I knew nothing about Alexander Hamilton except he was on the $10 bill and he died in a dual. And seems prior to Hamilton's release, that's what most of the general public knew about him.
However, Lin-Manual Miranda's groundbreaking production, which premiered in 2015, did something no other musical in history had ever attempted. Uniting classic musical theater with hip-hop. And what better story to experiment with then the story of an immigrant who came to the new world and spent his life creating new ideas and making bold decisions that changed the course of history.
When I was a child I grew up with an appreciation of all things Irish due to my family's Irish history primarily on my mother's side. For years (well centuries really) Irish culture was despised and look down on. While under English subjugation, the Irish were made to believe that their way of life was inferior and that it should be wiped out especially their dancing. However, the Irish continued to hold tight to their culture and traditions which eventually made across the ocean to America.
In 1994, the world was blown away by the "new" dance phenomenon of Irish step dancing when Michael Flatley and his small troupe performed at Eurovision. Michael's interval act has made the way for multiple shows over the decades. However, none have had the full lasting impact as his fantasy spectacle Lord of the Dance and its extended version, Feet of Flames.
The Bohemian ideals of the turn of the century. However how can anyone understand these ideals if they have never actually experienced them? And when they finally do, will they ever be the same person afterwards? Those are the primary questions in Baz Lurhmann's historical-with-a-modern-slant musical about two star crossed lovers surviving within the confines of the degenerate and sinful dance hall, the famed Moulin Rouge. Two very different people, one who believes in love, yet has never known its happiness or its pain. The other who has been forced to sell herself to satisfy the lust of men; and by doing so believes that she is unworthy of any real love. Can there beauty in truth and freedom in love? And if so, what are we willing to sacrifice to make such ideals known and real?
Historical events and social change have always been excellent musical inspiration. Musicals such as Les Miserables, Hairspray, The Sound of Music andWest Side Storywere at the heart stories of the tide of social change. Les Miserables and The Sound of Music are about the moral decisions that govern every part of our lives (Jean Val Jean vs Javert // Captain Von Trapp vs the Nazi Party). Hairspray and West Side Story manage to take hard issues such as racism and prejudice by telling them through the eyes of young people who question the beliefs of previous generations.
Newsies manages to tell all that and more. When the lively musical - starring an up and coming 18 year old Christian Bale as the lead hero, Jack Kelly - premiered in 1992, it didn't make a stir at first. However, over the years Newsies has become a much loved classic through its memorable songs and extraordinary choreography. 20 years after the film, Newsies was finally brought to the stage where it became an instant success.
This wacky, but ultimately loveable musical is considered one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most controversial productions and understandably so. When JCSS first hit record stands in 1970 and then in less than 3 years became a full scale stage show, which led to a feature film in 1973, audiences really didn't know how to respond. For a time, in film and media, it was considered disrespectful to even show Jesus' face on film (Ben-Hur for example). How could you turn the life of the most honored and beloved of all historical figures into a musical and still maintain a sense of respect and decorum?
I saw the original West Side Story from 1961 back in 2015 for my college music class and found it to be full of youth, energy and vibrancy, but also tangled with war, sadness and suffering. As you would expect from a story that's inspired from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. However most of Shakespeare's plays are completely universal and stand the test of time. You can take any of his works and set them in any time period and in any culture and his moral thought still rings true. I had some high hopes for this new remake and as usual Spielberg did not disappoint.
After hearing an exceptionally beautiful song from this French musical, I tracked it down and managed to find the entire filmed production with added subtitles! le Roi Soleil (The Sun King) tells the story of the early reign of Louis IVX and the people in his life that molded him into the legend he has become in history. The musical-comedy premiered in 2005 and was an absolute success. The entire performance is a streamlined history that is infused with modern day music and dance. The genius artistry of Cirque de Soleil is an obvious influence that would be fitting for the over the top lifestyle of the 17th century French nobles in Versailles.
In the same lively, western vein of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Oklahoma! tells the story of two couples and the ins and outs of love in a span of 24 hours. Oklahoma! is based on the play, Green Grow the Lilacsby Lynn Riggs,which is the same story, but Rogers and Hammerstein turned the play into a musical in 1943 and has been one of the most beloved musicals of all time.
I saw this version when I was ten or eleven and soon afterwards put it on my favorite musicals list (alongside Les Miserables, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Cats, Grease and Hairspray). I had only seen Hugh Jackman in X-Men playing the brooding Logan/Wolverine prior to Oklahoma! So, viewing him in a completely opposite role as a carefree, joking cowboy was intriguing to watch at first (and has only deepened my love and admiration for him. He is my favorite actor after all!).
Oklahoma territory, a land of farmers, cowboys, all with deeply ingrained love and pride for their homes (but not necessarily for each other). However, Curly McLain, a handsome, but mischievous cowboy has his sights set on one farm and the lovely young woman who lives there. Feisty, Laura "Laurey" Williams has grown up under the love and care of the town matriarch, Aunt Eller. And Eller's stubbornness seems to have rubbed off on her niece, because Laurey won't have nothing to do with Curly McLain. Eller herself adores Curly and desperately hopes that Laurey will see some sense of a possible future with him. However, nothing can prepare any of them for the danger that resides right there on the farm.
Jud Fry, a lonely and calculating farm hand whose obsession with Laurey has made him downright maniacal. He will do anything to have her, no matter the cost. Even the cost of taking a life. Particularly the life of Curly McLain. Unwanted and maybe misunderstood, Jud Fry shuts himself away into the smokehouse, where no one, except Laurey is allowed to enter. And it's Laurey alone that is Jud's constant thought.
Meanwhile, Laurey's best friend Ado Annie is caught between two men. Yet that's more Annie's fault then theirs. Unfortunately, she is a girl who is incapable of boundary lines with any man who so much as makes eye contact with her. While she's engaged to Will Parker, a charming cowboy (and Curly's best friend), she's also swooning over the peddler man, Ali Hakim. Both men are equally frustrated with Annie and her indecisive nature. First she's engaged to Will, then to Ali, then to Will again...no wonder peddlers and cowboys love traveling away from home so much.
The story takes place in the span of one entire day. And a lot can happen in one day. Especially in the lives of Curly and Laurey. Both start out squabbling and pecking each other out of annoyance. Yet, when Jud Fry enters the scene, life gets dark very quickly. Laurey almost pays a terrible price for her petulant nature, while Curly eventually sets aside his boyish charm and becomes a man who will fight for what (and who) he loves.
Laurey could be understandable as a girl struggling with a crush that is slowly developing into love. However, there are also deep feminist undertones to Laurey as well. Like Annie, Laurey is incredibly indecisive and seems to want to hurt Curly in every way imaginable. She won't admit that she's in love and scoffs at the idea of crying over a broken heart--fair enough. However, in a way to assert a sense of independence to Curly and the rest of the community, Laurey goes after the bad boy if only to make Curly angry. Independence and strong will are good ideals to have in a woman's life, but to employ them to only hurt those that want to love you, can lead to a path of destruction.
Although the musical is 3 hours long, it's worth every single minute. The dance sequences are absolutely stunning! Especially "The Farmer and The Cowman" barn dance scene (which could rival the barn dance in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers). And of course the acting! Hugh Jackman was utterly irresistible as Curly! And he had the greatest character development in the whole story. You literally saw Curly grow up in one day.
Josefina Gabrielle took the challenging role of Laurey Williams and she was delightful from beginning to end. You want to hug and shake Laurey at the same time, but she's a flawed heroine who needs steady guidance from her family and the man that she loves.
Shuler Hensley brought about a truly terrifying Jud Fry. Jud's anger, instability, and jealousy is the makings of a villain whose only intent is to get what he wants in the end. One of the most tense scenes in the musical is the bidding war between Curly and Jud for Laurey's basket at the box social. And Hugh Jackman and Shuler Hensley just nailed it to perfection.
A simple story of young love, the decisions we make, the people that come in and out of our lives and the neverending joy of life all around you. Oklahoma! is a pure American classic and this version is certainly one of my favorites! Ok, maybe Hugh Jackman has something to do with it...
This was the movie that started it all, the movie that started my love for musicals! When I first saw this movie--ironically at 7 years old--I fell in love with it! One of the most successful musical movie productions ever made, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers isbased on the short story, "The Sobbin' Women" by Stephen Vincent Benet, which was inspired by the ancient Roman legend, The Rape of the Sabine Woman. Despite the usage of the word 'rape' many scholars believe that the word rape in ancient Rome was also synonymous for kidnapping and there was no actual sexual assault on the women. And thankfully for the musical, kidnapping doesn't come without its severe punishments toward its perpetrators.
In 1850, Oregon territory, rugged backwoodsman, Adam Pontipee, has come to town to look for a wife. However, woman in the territory at the time are scarce and all the young daughters in town are spoken for. That doesn't deter Adam in his search to bring back a bride. Soon he comes across Milly. A beautiful, but hard working woman, who is not afraid to get her hands dirty or speak her mind. Adam is immediately smitten with her and within an hour of meeting Milly he asks her to marry him.
Although a level headed woman, Milly takes a leap of faith and accepts Adam's proposal. Not much is known about Milly's past, except she was orphaned at a young age and has been taken care of by the minister and his family. Now Milly sees an opportunity to start a family of her own, in a home of her own. However, Adam's home up in the heavy forested mountains is anything but empty.
Milly and Adam are greeted by Adam's six younger brothers (somehow he failed to mentioned them when he was talking about marriage). Benjamin, Caleb, Dan, Ephraim, Frank and Gideon, all of them dirty, wild and with no sense of dignity or decorum. Only naturally, Milly is overwhelmed, but in a true western woman spirit, she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work. She cooks, cleans and puts Adam in his place regarding their personal relationship. Then she starts on her brothers.
Milly with her brothers, L-R: Ephraim, Frank, Gideon, Dan, Caleb and Benjamin
Despite their wildness, Milly soon finds her new brothers to be hardworking, clever and fun...and incredibly handsome. All of them are of marriageable age, however, they've hardly ever seen much less talked to a woman. So Milly sets to work cleaning the boys up, teaching them proper social skills, how to talk to people, how to interact with woman and how to dance. At the town barn dance, Milly makes her introduction to society as a married woman, alongside her cleaned up brothers whom she hopes will have an impact on the town.
And they do. Especially on the six most sought after young women--Dorcas, Ruth, Martha, Liza, Sarah and Alice. While they make the woman swoon, the Pontipee brothers' have the town boys seething with anger. It's not long until war breaks out at the barn dance and all of Milly's hopes for her brothers to have wives of their own are broken. The brother's themselves are disappointed that they let Milly down as well lose their only chances for marriage.
Adam takes matters in his own hands and using one of Milly's books, "The Sobbin' Women," he gets the same idea as the Romans.
Go into town and grab their women. Impossible. Yet, Adam Pontipee is used to getting what he sets to do.
This movie never fails to have me dancing (well not really) and singing (definitely)after watching it. Aside from the music, the dancing is extraordinary and the famous barn dance scene is considered one the greatest dance sequences in film history. While the story material of women being kidnapped and held against their will is controversial, one might also read the actual short story and know that it was Milly's idea in the first place. This is one of those films where I would love to see a remake of, but also why mess with perfection??
Oh look! Yet another review for The Greatest Showman! Seriously, it seems like every blogger and their dog have reviewed this movie. So everytime I gear up to sit down and write my review, I see two more reviews in my reading list (which I will read them all soon!). That being said, if there was a movie that deserves a good review it is most definitely this unique film starring Hugh Jackman as the legendary P.T. Barnum. While not exactly historically accurate this film is lively, colorful and emotional with beautiful music and stunning costumes. Musicals are clearly making a big comeback and The Greatest Showman is proving to be one of the best.
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Phineas Barnum was always a dreamer, of course he had to be as the son of a poor tailor. Barnum is not content to remain a poor man and has his heart set on two things, making something of himself and win the hand of beautiful Charity Hallett, a well to do girl who is just as much of a dreamer as he is. Overtime, Barnum and Charity marry and settle down in a humble New York apartment where they have two daughters, Caroline and Helen. Barnum is working well as a job clerk until company bankruptcy and now he has no idea how to provide for his family.
And then he begins to dream...Soon Barnum has a plan to make a museum of the weird and strange for the people of New York. Gathering artifacts and oddities, but is unsuccessful. However, Barnum is determined and sets out to find the strange not in things, but people. He gathers together a rag tag group of performers which includes an opinionated dwarf, a talented bearded woman, the 'world's tallest man,' the dog man, a set of conjoined twins, a fully tattooed man and brother and sister trapeze act.
Suddenly, Barnum finds unexpected success. People that were once hidden away were now center stage and were no longer having to live in fear and shame. While he makes money off his success, not everyone is happy with the the showcasing of these broken and disabled degenerates. However, the people he has brought together find camaraderie and family in one another and if anything, Barnum wants them to know they have a place where they belong.
Eventually, Barnum hires Phillip Carlyle to serve as his business partner. Phillip comes from one of the wealthiest families in America, but is desperate to make a name for himself, even if it is as a failing play write. When Phillip reluctantly joins, he finds himself completely in awe of the people of Barnum's Museum, but most especially with Anne Wheeler, a beautiful acrobat who knows that as an African American she will never be accepted by Phillip's society.
As a Carlyle, Phillip has many high connections and manages to use them well making Barnum's New York attraction into an international success. While in England, Barnum meets the famed Swedish opera singer, Jenny Lind and sees her as a perfect attraction for his business. Jenny agrees and comes to the states with Barnum and Phillip where she takes America by storm. Although the crowds love her, Barnum's other employees are fed up with being hidden away while a beautiful opera singer is made the main attraction.
While everything may seem absolutely perfect for Barnum, seeds of anger and prejudice begin to take root and Phillip and the other employees begin to bear the brunt. While touring with Jenny, Barnum realizes he has neglected his family and wants to return to the states. When he returns home though he finds heartbreak, disaster and possible loss in everything he has built. Now, with only his family, Philip and his performers, Barnum must return back to his childhood dreams of building something from nothing and never giving into what society tells you that you are worth.
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As always, Hugh Jackman does not disappoint. In reality, P.T. Barnum was a real low-life that would do anything for fame and money. Yet, Hugh made him so endearing and inspirational that you can almost really care less for the real person and rather root for the fictional character. Zac Efron made his debut in musicals and it's great to see him come back to singing and performing. Like always, he was charming and endearing and Phillip's practicality was a much needed asset to Barnum's eccentricity. Hugh and Zac had a great onscreen chemistry and you could really see the father/son relationship that develops in both characters.
The rest of the supporting cast including Michelle Williams (Charity), Rebecca Ferguson (Jenny Lind), Zendaya (Anne Wheeler), Keala Settle (Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady) and Sam Humphrey (Charles Statton, Tom Thumb) were exceptional in their roles bringing both laughter and tears. The music was just astounding! Every number performed beautifully with a modern touch to all of them. There wasn't a boring or bad song at all!
The Greatest Showman was a musical that just keeps you singing all the time. The moral messages of not judging on appearances is an obvious factor that couldn't be avoided, but at the same time, even in 2018, we still tend to look down on those who are disfigured and disabled. It's wrong and inhumane to others who may have been born differently; they are still human and are just as deserving of love and respect as any other able bodied person. Hopefully, The Greatest Showman can challenge the ideas of 'the perfect person' as well as giving us heroes in the everyday man and the not so so ordinary man as well.
Not since Trump's win of the presidential election has there been such an outcry of rage and downright drama in the Twitter world (there was actually someone on Twitter who compared it to Trump's election). Last night ABC premiered the remake of the 1987 classic film Dirty Dancing. The sleeper hit that took the world by storm and launched the career of Patrick Swayze as both a dancer and an actor. However, long before the remake premiered, there were already protests from film devotees and purists railing about what a crime it was to remake such a classic.
Now, I didn't grow up with the movie. I only saw it for the first time last year. So naturally I was curious. I guess it's the fan-fiction writer in me that's always modifying stories in my head that makes me so comfortable and even excited for remakes. Fan-fic writers are always looking for a way to make the story better, stronger, different. Wanting to delve deeper in lesser known characters and storylines. And ABC's Dirty Dancing did just that.
"Now, I've had
the time of
my life"
While there is no need to review the actual story, I will say that one thing I was very happy about is that they actually had period appropriate style! My older sister loves the original, but the costumes and the hair were all screaming late 80's! It drives her crazy and so upon watching the remake, we were both impressed by the correct and accurate costuming from the early 60's. And the costumes are beautiful! So, A+ for the wardrobe!
I was quite content with the casting as well. Abigail Breslin gave Baby Houseman a more saucy and independent personality. She definitely had some great humorous moments, while also providing intense emotional scenes that gave more depth to Baby's character. However, Abigail has been acting since she was five years old and quite frankly it was difficult watching the love scenes (nothing graphic or inappropriate) and thinking, "Oh yeah, she's not the cute kid from Signs anymore. She's grown up."However, she did very well, even though she would not have been my first choice for Baby.
While no one can replace Patrick Swayze, Colt Prattes was wonderful! His dancing is extraordinary and his singing...WOW! Oh yeah, there is actual singing in this one too! Anyway, Colt played Johnny as more of a greaser who has no problem picking a fight with people. He also gives a little more background information on his life and why he is desperate to make it as a dancer. Very good performance that can rank right under Patrick.
Nicole Scherzinger as Penny is just as sweet and lovable as the original. She and Baby have their own dance number which is absolutely fantastic. She is by far the best dancer in the whole movie and for many seemed to be the only saving grace of the remake.
The remake fleshed out the Houseman family in a way that made the family as a whole more relatable and real. They weren't a picture perfect family. They were flawed and damaged and even at a breaking point. Through the Houseman family, we see varying degrees of love whether it's first love, lost love or unexpected love. Each member is impacted in some way during their vacation and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the developing characters and their individual stories come together.
Lisa Houseman (Sarah Hyland) was not as aggravating or annoying and learns very quickly the consequences of stupid mistakes. Dr. Jake Houseman (Bruce Greenwood) and Marjorie Houseman (Debra Messing) are a couple that are secret struggling to hold on to their marriage. Jake is a brilliant doctor who has put work in front of his family and now faces losing his wife. While Marjorie, who is the quintessential 50's housewife, begins to wonder if the feminist idea of single womanhood is a better life for her. Honestly, I was more wrapped up in Jake and Marjorie's romance than I was in Johnny and Baby's!
One concern I did have was that the movie focused on second wave feminism such as Betty Frieden's "The Feminine Mystique" and was a woman better off without a man? However, the movie was very balanced. It didn't push any feminist agenda at all, but was rather used as a historical factor for the changing times for women in the 60's. The end of the movie was rather shocking and bittersweet (and guess what? Fans hated it!), but I thought it was done very well. Baby ends up defying social norms all over the board and becomes successful in every avenue of her life, but it would have never had happened were it not for that summer in 1963.
While it may not have had the cute quirkiness of the '87 original ABC's Dirty Dancing definitely had more depth and emotion. Everyone in Baby and Johnny's sphere are affected by what the two of them set out to do. Being a musical lover, I enjoyed the musical/dance numbers and there is some exceptional talent among the cast. I may be in a incredibly small minority to say this, but I find this remake to be absolutely lovely, heartbreaking and just as charming and as emotional as the original.
Another iconic 80's movie that I had grown up hearing about, but never watched until last night. With a title like Dirty Dancing, you never know what to expect...drama, romance, musical, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was a well balanced mix of all three with a good amount of 80's charm that has made it such a cult hit. This film is somewhat of a modern day Romeo and Juliet story of two young people that put all they have on the line in order to break down their societal barriers and bring change to two vastly differently social orders.
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Baby & Johnny
Jennifer Grey as Baby and Patrick Swayze as Johnny in Dirty Dancing (1987)
In 1963, Baby (real name is Francis after Francis Perkins) and her family are travelling to a resort in the Catskill mountains. While Baby comes from a well to do family, she dreams of changing the world and she believes that the best way she accomplish that is by joining the peace corps. Little does she know, that she's going to bring unexpected change in the divided resort between the wealthy owners and low paid entertainment that are usually kept out of sight.
Soon, Baby meets Johnny. The handsome head dancer who has an extraordinary talent on the dance floor and an incredibly generous nature toward the dancers who are under his responsibility. After Johnny's partner, Penny, finds herself pregnant and at odds to know what to do, Baby jumps in and helps her without any question by giving her money for an abortion (the only part of the movie I didn't like). Then Baby fills in to become Johnny's dance partner in a dance night he needs to save his job at the resort.
The problem is, Baby has no dancing talent at all. In a matter of a few weeks, Johnny teaches Baby how to dance and dance very, very well. Primarily the sensual freak dancing that she has never seen and certainly knows her parents would never want her to learn. Soon, Baby and Johnny find themselves falling in love with one another, but both know that Baby's father will disapprove of the relationship, seeing that Johnny has no solid career and a penchant for getting into trouble. However, Baby and Johnny defy their insurmountable odds and teach this once divided community how to dance and how to really live.
Jennifer Grey as Baby and Patrick Swayze as Johnny in Dirty Dancing (1987). This scene was hysterical!
Patrick Swayze was irresistibly romantic and charming as Johnny, the boy from the other side of the tracks that has nothing but talent and dreams. Yet talent can only get him so far and his dreams seem to slip farther and farther away. Johnny was well written as the romantic hero that wasn't broody or sappy and had a genuinely good heart that really tried to see the best in others. Admit it, it's simply too hard to not fall in love with Patrick Swayze : )
I really loved Jennifer Grey in this role! Baby wasn't a stereotypical rich girl who was completely oblivious to the hardships of other people (and that was a big archetype in 80's teen films). She was so kind and generous and maybe little reckless from time to time, but I still thought that Baby was a great character. Some of her best scenes were actually when she was telling Johnny off about whatever issue they were arguing over and I would think, "I totally agree with her!"
That dancing was very beautiful and I loved watching Baby's development from inexperience to finding an incredible talent. And the music was all very 80's, but I grew up listening to most of it, so it's a little nostalgic to me too. The only problem I had (besides the illegal abortion) was that the film took place in the early 60's, but the costumes and hair were all very much from the 80's. That being said, this was just a good sweet film, that may be predictable, but sent a good message of honing nonjudgmental attitudes of people around you and of doing the right thing, even when everyone else is questioning you.
Combining East and West cultures can be a difficult and even an impossible task, but in the world of Bollywood nothing seems too hard or impossible. Which is probably why Gurinder Chadra's musical comedy adaption of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" was so successful. Bride & Prejudice had all the beloved elements of the original novel, but the Indian twist of culture, dance and music took the story to a completely fresh new level.
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Will Darcy and Lalita Bashki
Martin Henderson as Will Darcy and Aishwarya Rai as Lalita Bashki in Bride & Prejudice (2004)
East meets West when lovely Lalita Bashki meets workaholic, Will Darcy at an engagement party for her best friend. Actually, Will doesn't want to be there; he's only dragged along by his own best friend Mr. Balraj, a wealthy and successful English barrister (lawyer in England) who is pursued by every mother in the small town as a potential husband for their single daughters. Within in the first few minutes of their meeting, Lalita sees Will as rude and aloof, and Will himself wants nothing to do with India at all, except buy the towns best hotel and use it as tourism for money and benefit (much to Lalita's dismay).
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Aishwarya Rai as Lalita Bashki
Beautiful and independent Lalita Bashki has had an idyllic life in the small poor town of Amritsar, India with her three lively sisters, loving father and overbearing mother who spends every moment trying to get her daughters married off. Unlike most of the girls in India who spend their days dreaming and preparing for marriage and family, Lalita is off on her father's farm helping him to pay the family's endless bills.
Often seen as too intelligent for an Indian woman, Lalita isn't afraid to speak her mind to her mother, her friends or even strangers that insult her beloved town. She cares deeply for Amritsar and its people and the idea of leaving the small city as well her doting father is unimaginable. After she meets handsome, but opinionated Will Darcy at an engagement party, she tries to give him the benefit of the doubt, but soon comes to the belief that he is rude, arrogant, and full of prejudice against her and the rest of India.
Lalita loves her family fiercely, especially her older sister Jaya (jay-uh) whom she confides in about everything. When Jaya finds herself falling for charming and handsome Mr. Balraj of England, Lalita is excited for her as well as for the future prospects for her struggling family. Except Mr. Balraj insists on taking his overbearing best friend with him, therefore Lalita must put up with insufferable Mr. Darcy.
The Bashki Family
Namrata Shirodkar as Jaya Bashki and Aishwarya Rai as Lalita Bashki
Martin Henderson as Will Darcy
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This is considered pure Bollywood because of its incredible dance numbers; beautiful music and the rich colors of India are infused in every part of the movie. Romantic and funny, but with the same universal themes of class division and wrong first impressions that has kept the world entertained for 200 years (yeah it has been that long since the novel was published).
The acting on all fronts was wonderful with a superb international cast list. India's top leading lady Aishwarya Rai as Lalita was elegant and perfect in her interpretation of Lizzie Bennett. She had a wonderful personable quality and fieriness that really made her Bollywood portrayal of the beloved character a great watch. New Zealand actor, Martin Henderson, gave the role of an American Darcy a great amount of justice. He played the ignorant all working American jerk to romantic love interest with absolute charm.
It was also great to see LOST's Naveen Andrews as the usually clueless in love Mr. Balraj. At first it's almost difficult to believe that the same actor who plays the calculating and secretive Sayid Jarrah as a hopeless romantic (although anyone who has seen LOST will know that Sayid could be romantic too, which is why he's my favorite character), but it just gave props to his wonderful acting.
Naveen Andrews as Mr. Balraj
Whether you're a lover of Jane Austen or Bollywood or both, this is just a fun movie to watch. I laugh and cry and I'm still amazed by the extraordinary dance scenes and have even developed an obsession with Punjabi music because of this movie! A great combination of Indian culture and modern America that brings East and West together in a perfect match.
I went and saw Les Miserables last month...and OMG! It was AMAZING!!! Just extraordinary, brilliant, beautiful, romantic, heartbreaking, and so much more! If it doesn't win Best Film at the Oscars, I'll...well, I don't know what I would do, but I just really hope it wins!
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Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean
For twenty-five years he had been alone in the world,
never father, lover, husband or friend.
-Victor Hugo
After serving nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister and her child (as well as attempting to runaway), Jean Valjean or prisoner 24601 is let free from prison only to find out that he has been put on probation. Basically he travels from city to city in France to find some kind of living, but it's hard to do when you forced to show your papers or in his case, his yellow ticket signifying that he is a convicted criminal. No one wants him, no one cares for him and he doesn't even care for himself.
Then God intervenes in the form of a kind priest (played by the wonderful Colm Wilkinson, the original Jean Valjean!!) He gives him food, shelter and a place to rest. Instead of thanking the priest for his generosity, Valjean makes off with his silver. He is caught by the police and then in an unlikely miracle, pardoned and forgiven by the priest who gives him the silver in hopes of becoming a better man. Valjean is overwhelmed by this incredible act of mercy and swears before God that he will never be the man he was before.
The rest of the story is about Valjean as a better man and a man of God (the religious element is very deep in this story). He extends mercy and grace to those who suffer, raises a child who is not his, but loves her passionately, fights for justice by God's law and not the governments, forgives his enemy and sets him free, and in the end is rewarded for his faith in God and his compassion toward the suffering.
I knew that Hugh Jackman was a stage actor in Australia long before he hit it big here in the USA. I had seen him in >>>Oklahoma!<<< and he was great. Because he was so well known to American audiences for his role as Wolverine and other action roles, a lot of people were skeptical if he could portray Jean Valjean in an honest way. Well, he definitely won me over! He was incredible in the role and gave a very personable portrayal of Valjean as a man who is trying to forget his past, redeem himself from his sins, and fight for a better future. His singing voice is very different from what I'm use to hearing, but there was a lot of strength in the softness of his tone.
Acting-wise, he was perfect, like always! There is very little dialogue in the film; it just blends from one song to the next, but it still requires believable performances with the actors. Hugh Jackman really captured the essence of Valjean from a godless prisoner, a redeemed man, a respectable mayor and business man, which all led him to be a father, and a very good one too. It was wonderful seeing his character evolution through the film, seeing where he began and where he ended.
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Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert
He was the guardian of order, the lightening of justice,
the vengeance of society...
-Victor Hugo
"I am the law and the law is not mocked," quotes Inspector Javert. Never has there been a man who lives his life so rigidly by the law as Javert. Cold and heartless, with no concept of kindness or mercy, he goes through the world keeping order and reform with the law as his only guide.
Javert has been in hot pursuit of Valjean from the very start. It is made very clear from the beginning that these man hate each other and they both realize that their paths will eventually cross. When they do cross, it is an all out war between good and evil, the law and mercy, God and the government, and what is right in the eyes of God and in the eyes of man.
With the exception of Fantine, Inspector Javert is probably the the character I pitied the most in the entire story. He is definitely a conflicted man whose view of justice was warped at the most. He is a hard man, a lost man, and a man who doesn't believe in redemption at all. Russell Crown displayed that compromised characterization very well. I loved the depth he gave to Javert, instead of just seeing him as a cruel man, you see him as a very broken man that can never except love or forgiveness.
It took me a while to get use to his voice. It's very mellow and soft compared to most men I've heard play Javert. He does sing quite well, but I'm use to hearing a strong and powerful voice for Javert therefore giving the appearance of a strong and powerful man. In spite of that, I think Russell did a very good job at Javert. His ending scene is without a doubt his best scene, completely powerful.
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Anne Hathaway as Fantine
She had known everything,borne and suffered everything
and shed her last tear.
-Victor Hugo
No one has fallen farther from grace in Les Miserables than Fantine. The mother of an illegitimate child who is being raised by complete strangers, Fantine is fired from her job when her coworkers think that she has taken a second job as a prostitute to pay for her daughter. Although completely untrue, the foreman sends her away (mainly because she refused to sleep with him) and now Fantine is left in the streets with no way to care for her daughter, who is the only light in her life.
For money, she cuts her hair, sells her two back teeth and becomes a prostitute. No matter how deep she falls, she still tries to maintain some kind of dignity, which is stamped upon by a cruel client and Javert. Finally after what seems to be the end, Valjean rescues her and gives her the redemption she has been searching for.
Without a doubt the BEST performance in the entire film! Anne Hathaway was incredible! Her voice was beautiful and her acting was exceptional! I just loved her as Fantine. She gave the most heartbreaking and powerful performance out of anyone else in the whole film (that's saying something because everyone in the film was great!). No one could have played a better Fantine than her and she deserves all the praise that has been given to her for her breathtaking performance.
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Amanda Seyfried as Cosette
Isabelle Allen as young Cosette
The bishop had caused virtue to dawn on his horizon;
Cosette brought thedawning of love.
-Victor Hugo
An illegitimate child who is unwillingly left behind by her mother in hopes to save her, she is raised and abused by a heartless innkeeper and his wife who lie, cheat, and steal to make their living. Like her mother, Cosette dreams of happiness, but in her little mind she feels that she will never find it. That is until a handsome stranger comes and pays her evil caretakers to take her away. Then Cosette's dream of happiness comes true. She is loved, she has a home, a father, and a future.
Nine years later, Cosette has blossomed from a raggedy and pitiful orphan into a beautiful and generous young woman who is devoted to her loving and protective father. Her life changes when she sets eyes on a handsome revolutionary and she captures his heart. Now Cosette questions her life, her loyalty and her love to her father and to this new man.
When I heard that Amanda Seyfried was cast as Cosette my initial reaction was PERFECT! Her clear voice, prettiness and sweet demeanor was a perfect match for this role. Amanda played Cosette as a very innocent, but intelligent girl who is on the brink of womanhood in the midst of boiling revolution.
Isabelle Allen who plays young Cosette was as charming as a child could get! She has a pretty voice for someone so young and you just want to hug her everytime you see her! Her scenes with Hugh Jackman are some of the most enjoyable moments in the story.
~ ~ ~
Eddie Redmayne as Marius Pontmercy
In all his trials he was sustained
and at times even exalted by a
secret strength in himself.
-Victor Hugo
Handsome, intelligent, political, a university student and heir to quite a bit of money; bourgeoisie citizen, Marius Pontmercy seems to have it made. He could stay up in an ivory tower making plans with what to do when he inherits his grandfather's fortune, but instead he is making speeches in the street, rallying the poor and forgotten people to revolt against the king.
Marius has everything, but love. A ideal he scoffed at for years, until he sees Cosette, the beautiful daughter of a gentleman in the streets of Paris. With one look, Marius' life is never the same; he becomes infatuated and longs to know more about her. Even amidst the teasing he receives from he friends, Marius is resolute in his pursuit. He finds Cosette with the help of a friend (more on her later) and they both fall in love. When the revolution begins, and Cosette and her father have to leave, Marius is torn between following his heart or following his dream of a better world.
I had only briefly heard of Eddie Redmayne, who seems to be very well known in England, but isn't really well known here in America. Well, is spite of that, he gave role of Marius a great deal of justice. His voice is...lets sum it up, heavenly to listen to! His acting is wonderful as well. Marius' solo, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, was beautiful. A well cast choice for a love struck revolutionary.
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Samantha Barks as Eponine Thenardier
She had accomplished a double progress,
towards the light andtowards distress.
-Victor Hugo
Once the spoiled brat of her parents, Monsieur and Madame Thenardier, Eponine is now a street rat who lies and steals for her family. She'll do anything for food and money, no matter what it may take. Eponine has a double sided problem, she is in love with Marius Pontmercy, who is far above her rank and he is completely clueless about her affections . Especially when he sees lovely Cosette, the young girl that Eponine use to bully and look down upon, and he demands to know more about her. So Marius sends Eponine to do just that. Hard living and humiliation is a real bitch when it turns on you. Eponine lives for only one reason and that is Marius. She would do anything for him, but seeing him in love with a wealthy girl, especially one who was once in her present position, breaks her heart. When Eponine realizes that he may never be hers, she does the unthinkable and follows him to barricades.
Many people have favored Eponine over Cosette mainly because most people can identify with Eponine's plight as the other girl. The one the guy never sees as someone he could be in love with. Understandable, but still, Marius' is in love with Cosette, who is a gracious and loving young woman, and chose her because of those qualities. Eponine is a liar and a thief and no matter how courageous and honorable her intentions might have been at the barricades, she was simply not the one for him.
That all said, I loved Samantha Barks as Eponine! Her voice is beautiful and so is she. Her acting as a young woman thwarted by love was a great watch. I have the 25th anniversary edition of Les Miserable where she was Eponine and when I heard she was the official cast for the same part in the movie, I was floored! Perfect and exceptional in every way!
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Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as The Thenardiers
"(A) dreadful pair, the Thenardiers,a marriage of cunning and fury."
-Victor Hugo
The villains that never seem to go away. The Thenadiers are about the worse couple anyone could think of. They lie, cheat, steal, terrorize, and will do anything to get money, which is all they care about. Cosette's former guardians, who hated her and parents of Eponine who spoiled her as a child and now use her in their plots to get rich. (Gavroche, the little revolutionary boy is also their son, but they threw him out in the streets when he refused to help them). By the end of the movie they (or at least Monsieur Thenardier) get their comeuppance from none other than Marius, the complete opposite of their worthless lives. It's a great scene!
Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter were wonderful in their roles, but the problem was, the Thenardiers are suppose to be ugly people and trying to make Helena B. Carter ugly is almost an impossibility! Either than that, they provided a lot of comic relief, especially in their immortal song, Master of The House, which is absolutely hysterical!
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Les Miserables: International Trailer
Wonderful, incredible, beautiful film!!! Surprisingly enough, I only cried a little bit in two scenes, both involving Fantine. Either than that, I didn't cry at all; which is more than I can say for the rest of the audience as well as my sisters, there wasn't a dry eye in the room!!!
I'm so glad it won best film at the Golden Globes as well as best male and female awards for Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway! They totally deserved them! This film had better make best film at the Oscars!
