Les Misérables // DVD Review

This is a truly remarkable piece of film-making. Technically it is near perfect, the performances are exemplary, the plot is classic literature and Tom Hooper’s inspired decision to record the singing live-on-set was ground-breaking, yielding a visceral, organic and slightly rough-edged experience. Yep, it’s brilliantly done. I fucking hated it. Once, many years ago, I sat through the West-End stage production of Les Mis. It was four of the most unpleasant hours of my life. I particularly recall a moment where the lead was bellowing into his co-star’s upturned visage with such gusto that he literally spat into her face. Unbecoming. People didn’t talk, they sang. They sang everything. Like demented toddlers. Singing jaunty tunes about unjaunty things like dying of consumption and eating faeces. I found the whole thing utterly ridiculous, and this film is, y’know, the same. But what do I know? The show has been seen by 60 million people and continues to pack theatres all over the world. Some people, it appears, love that shit. I do not love that shit, and I never will. Even when that shit is brought to me by extraordinary talents at the top of their game. If you love that shit then you’ll really love this. Go. Go with my blessing and be dazzled because, honestly, and I can’t stress this enough, it’s a brilliant film. You’ll piss. However, for me it’s a brilliant, big, silly, overly-earnest turd, expertly buffed to a blinding shine. Que sera.