Uma Thurman Movie:

				Salesrank: 244612
		MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
Frenchman Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson), imprisoned for stealing bread, is paroled after nearly two decades of hard labor. A gift of silver candlesticks from a kindly priest helps him begin anew. Forging a decent and profitable existence, he finds success as a businessman and as the mayor of a small town. He even takes in a pregnant young woman (Uma Thurman) and raises her daughter as his own. When a former prison guard (Geoffrey Rush) recognizes Valjean, his past catches up to him. Director Bille August culls mesmerizing performances from his cast, but loses us with an ending that panders to teen audiences. The focus shifts dramatically, and uncomfortably, from the haunted Neeson and his hawk-like pursuer, to his daughter (Claire Danes) and her romance with a handsome revolutionary. After this narrative shift, the script leaves behind the Victor Hugo classic's themes of revenge and redemption to focus improbably on teen angst--hardly what Hugo had on his mind. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Les Misérables [Region 2] Reviews:
Les Miseerables the movie
2009-10-19 - If you are looking for the musical, this is not it. If you want to enhance your understanding of the story behind the musical, watch this movie. I found it really helped me understand the characters better than when I saw the stage show. It down-played the Thernardier's role, and the fun/rowdy drinking scene is not here. Eponine's story line is also left out. With that in mind, it is a touching story and is well acted.

love it
2009-09-18 - What a great movie on grace! Every couple of years I watch it and it always moves me!

Erase your memory!
2009-08-18 - If you want to enjoy this movie, you have to totally erase from your mind any thought that the story is based on Victor Hugo's book.

The book's mighty themes of mercy, forgiveness and spiritual redemption are trampled to death with this depiction of a Valjean whose rage is always under the surface and barely contained. It's not inconceivable that a man who has been brutally imprisoned for 19 years would emerge a hardened and angry man. But it's not the portrayal you get in the book, and it erodes the sympathy you have for him in the movie. Strike a priest? Hit Cossette?!? Not a chance. (And equally unbelievable that Cossette, minutes later, would stroke his cheek in love.) It renders silly the scene in which Valjean refuses to kill Inspector Javert. The man in this movie would leap at the chance!

At least you get a good laugh as the scriptwriters try to craft a love story between Valjean and Fantine. She even rallies from her death bed to enjoy an intimate lunch with her benefactor -- rosy cheeks and all! Ha! And don't even get me started on the ending, as Valjean strolls away from Javert's suicide, light-hearted and smiling. One of the emotional cores of the story, co-opted by a Disney mindset.

It's incredible to think that a West End (and Broadway) musical got the story so much better. So, if you rented this movie and are determined to watch it, just forget anything you ever knew about the story and you'll get through it.

Great gift
2009-08-17 - I bought this as a gift for a friend. It was great, shipping was quick. Thank you!

Les Miserables
2009-06-15 - Extremely disappointing. Having read the book and seen the movie years ago, this was just not acceptable. I hardly recognized Victor Hugo's story.