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LES MISERABLES
Victor Hugo's classic epic has been brought to the screen magnificently. Aided by a top-notch cast, the film will surely be considered come Oscar time. In 1812, Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson) is the convict who spends 20 years in jail at hard labor for having stolen a loaf of bread. His pursuer, Javert, (Geoffrey Rush) is nothing less than malicious as he relentlessly tracks him.
When Valjean seeks food and shelter at a house several days distance from his jail, it is the home of a Bishop. He is allowed in to have dinner and to have a good night's sleep. However, the many years of hard labor as a convict have taken their toll and Valjean will do anything to survive: steal, lie, cheat. Amazed that the Bishop will allow him to spend the night there, he cannot help but ask "How do you know I will not kill you?" To which the Bishop replies, "And how do you know I will not kill YOU?"
Nevertheless, the 20 years in jail overcome Valjean and before he leaves the house he steals some silverware and, when the Bishop enters the room and discovers the theft in progress, Valjean bludgeons him and runs away. Shortly thereafter the police find him because being poor he looks like a suspicious character. The silverware is found on him and he is returned to the Bishop. The gendarmes are told that Valjean told them the truth when he said the Bishop had given him the silverware, and the astonished police release him. If the police are amazed, Valjean is even more so, that after having stolen and physically hurt him, the Bishop did not turn him in. At the Bishop's urging, Valjean promises to turn over a new leaf.
Fast forward 10 years to 1822. Valjean is not only prosperous but is also the quiet, honest Mayor of the small town of Vigau. All would have been well had not Javert happened to come to town and recognize Valjean as a former prisoner who after being released had not reported to the authorities which the terms of his parole required. Thus begins the chase.
In the town, there is a poor, sick woman named Fantine (Uma Thurman) who has had a baby out of wedlock. Before she dies, Valjean promises to raise her daughter, Cosette (Claire Danes) as if she were his own. To evade the pursuing Javert, the two take refuge in a convent. Eventually, as Cosette matures into a beautiful young lady she persuades Valjean they must leave the convent. She wants to see the outside world.
It is now 1832, with young revolutionaries challenging and wishing to unseat the government. Among the leaders of the revolution is Marius (Hans Matheson) a young handsome man with whom Cosette falls in love when she sees and hears him urging revolution to a crowd of bystanders. More trouble ensues when, shades of Tien An Men Square, the army kills and routes many of the young revolutionaries.
But the main story is that of Valjean and Javert who, in the film's several climaxes, encounter each other. What takes place between them in each of the tense meetings as well as the final one could only come from the pen of a genius such as Victor Hugo.
Both Neeson and Rush are superb in their roles. There is nothing about Schindler in Neeson, nor is there the slightest resemblance to SHINE's David Helfgott in Rush's malevolent, unsmiling, vindictive Javert. A fine film with Screenplay by Rafael Yglesias and excellent music by Basil Poledouris.
Directed by Bille August.
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Copyright 1998 Ben Hoffman
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