Les Misérables(2012)- User Reviews

I left it till the last week of showing and having already heard good and bad reviews the only hesitation I had was the length of the movie. Having watched the trailer I had an inkling of what I was in for, but tried not to have high expectations. I needn't have worried as my mind and heart soared from beginning to end in the clever film adaptation of this famous story. I was hooked from the first appearance and surprise performance of Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean and his perfect foil in Russell Crowe as Javert. I felt myself slide quickly into the hearts and minds of these unforgettable characters. In fact I cannot fault the casting throughout. As for the much talked about singing, I didn't feel cheated that it wasn't the perfection we've come to expect from musicals yet instead deeply moved with a story told by very talented actors through song and raw emotion.
I am impressed by the Director Tom Hooper and his approach to this. He took a brave step in letting the actors dig deep and use their own interpretations. I think for me that's why it worked so well.
The last time I felt this type of emotion in a film was long ago with a strange yet fulfilling Forrest Gump so excellently cast and directed as well.
People if you do decide to see Les Mis I urge you to go along with an open and free mind and heart, immerse yourself in the story, the characters, the amazing music and cinematography........Have Fun......