Les Misérables is the motion-picture adaptation of the beloved global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the globe and still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 27th year. Helmed by The King’s Speech’s Academy Award®-winning director, Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman, Oscar winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, with Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. In December 2012, the world’s longest-running musical brings its power to the big screen in Tom Hooper’s sweeping and spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale. With international superstars and beloved songs including I Dreamed a Dream, Bring Him Home, One Day More and On My Own Les Misérables, the show of shows, is now reborn as the cinematic musical experience of a lifetime.
$ 11.48
Only highlights–leaves out some great songs,
I never imagined that I would write anything less than a glowing review of this album, but I’m afraid I must do just that. I understand that this is a “highlights” album, but how on earth is “Do You Hear the People Sing” not a highlight?
As for the music that is present, it’s good, but it’s hard for me to hear the songs being “acted” rather than sung. I’m sure this will make for a fantastic film, but it doesn’t make for an amazing listening experience. I never expected for Jackman to equal Colm Wilkinson or Crowe to equal Philip Quast, yet I still feel disappointed. (As a sidenote, Eddie Redmayne has exceeded my expectations, Samantha Barks is as wonderful as I hoped, and I was thrilled to hear Wilkinson as the Bishop.)
A highlights album will inevitably leave out someone’s favorite song, and I’d recommend you check the track list before deciding to purchase this album to make sure your favorite song is included–I sure wish I’d done that! Surely they’ll release a complete cast recording at some point that will make everyone happy. Until then, I’ll keep listening to my favorite Les Mis recording, Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert.
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|3 stars for “highlights”,
Quite simply, if you are a fan of LES MIS (the original show or the movie for that matter), this recording is woefully truncated. Even as a “highlights” recording, it’s a scant 60 minutes that leaves out another 100 minutes of the film. Worth a few listens, but I hope that a complete recording will be released.
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