The Wretcheds

We went to see Les Miserables on Monday. I cried and cried and cried.

This is the musical version. I saw the original in London in 1986. After that I read the book and I saw every other version in existence. 

The Musical version of this story is still my favorite. 

My heart still aches inside.

The music, the beauty of the lyrics and the ability to transform this story from a complicated (and almost over-character'd) politically charged novel into a beautiful rendition of the transformational power of love overwhelms me.

The final line that sticks out in my mind is; 
"To love another person is to see the face of God."
The true power of love.

I learned a couple of things in my obsessive research... "argot" is a "secret language," the language of the "dark." This is something that Victor Hugo studied and strived to convey in this story. Hugo said, "Argot is the language of misery."

Portrait of "Cosette" by Emile Brayard
included in the original novel 1862

The dark.
The wretched.
The miserable.

10-year-old Isabelle Allen as young Cosette 2012

Hugh Jackman did better than I expected. Russell Crowe did as poorly as expected (but not ridiculously terrible). Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried did well enough but I could tell the more seasoned singers (i.e.; Marius & Eponine) were more comfortable. Anne & Amanda's vibrato was a little annoying to me. I prefer the belting of Eponine. 

I loved it.

I actually can't wait to own this on DVD and just play it so I can sing along like I did with my cassette tape version eons ago.

Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter were... actually, over the top. Over the top bad. They are supposed to be annoying and that they did. Very well, indeed.

ByTheWay, Sacha Baron Cohen is a British Jew and I cannot understand a word he says or sings. He is supposed to be appearing as Freddie Mercury in his biopic and I'm not sure about that... Just saying.