Movie analysis
Title: Les MiserablesGenre: Historical Fiction
Theme: Love and Compasion , Revolution
Characters: Jean ValJean, Javret, Cosette, Fantine, Marius, Eponin, Monsieur Thenardier and Madame Thenardier, Enjorlas, Gavroche, The Bishop
Plot: In 1815, convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is released on parole by prison guardJavert (Russell Crowe) after serving a nineteen-year sentence. Valjean is driven out of every town, because of his paroled status. He is offered food and shelter by the Bishop of Digne (Colm Wilkinson), but steals his silver during the night. He is caught by the authorities, but the Bishop informs them that the silver was given as a gift, then gives him even more, securing Valjean's release. Moved by the Bishop's grace, Valjean breaks his parole, vowing to start an honest life helping others under a new identity. Javert swears he will bring the escaped convict to justice.
Eight years later, Valjean has become a factory owner and mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer.Fantine (Anne Hathaway), one of his workers, is discovered to be sending money to her illegitimate daughter, Cosette (Isabelle Allen), who lives with the unscrupulous Thénardiers (Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen) and their daughter Éponine (Natalya Angel Wallace), and is dismissed by the foreman. In a desperate attempt to support her daughter, Fantine becomes a prostitute. She is arrested by Javert after she attacks an abusive man, but is saved by Valjean, who has her hospitalised. Later, Valjean learns that a man believed to be him has been arrested. Unable to accept that an innocent man is condemned, Valjean reveals his identity to the court before departing for the hospital. There he promises a dying Fantine that he will look after her daughter. After escaping from Javert, Valjean finds Cosette and pays the Thénardiers to allow him to take her, and promises to be like a father to her.
Nine years later, Jean Maximilien Lamarque, the only government official sympathetic toward the poor, is nearing death. StudentsMarius Pontmercy (Eddie Redmayne) and Enjolras (Aaron Tveit), together with street urchin Gavroche (Daniel Huttlestone), discuss revolution. Marius later catches a glimpse of Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), now a young woman, and instantly falls in love with her. Meanwhile, despite Cosette's questioning, Valjean refuses to tell her about his past or her mother.
At a café, Enjolras organises a group of idealistic students as Lamarque's death is announced. Meanwhile, Éponine (Samantha Barks), now Marius's friend, leads him to Cosette, where the two profess their love for one another. Lamenting that her secret love for Marius will never be reciprocated, Éponine fatalistically decides to join the revolution. When a gang led by Thenardier attempts to capture Valjean for ransom from Javert, Éponine screams to warn Valjean and Cosette; Valjean decides to flee despite Cosette's desire for Marius. As they leave, Enjolras rallies the Parisians to revolt, and Marius sends a farewell letter to Cosette. The next day, the students interrupt Lamarque's funeral procession and begin their revolt. Javert poses as a rebel in order to spy on them, but is quickly exposed by Gavroche and captured. During the ensuing gunfight, Éponine saves Marius at the cost of her own life, professing her love to him before she dies in his arms. Valjean, intercepting the letter from Marius to Cosette, goes to the barricade to protect Marius. After saving Enjolras from snipers, he is allowed to execute Javert. However, when the two are alone, Valjean frees Javert, telling him to run.
With the Parisians not joining the revolution as the students expected, they resolve to fight to the death. Everyone is killed but Marius, who is saved when Valjean drags his unconscious body into the sewers. Thénardier, scavenging the dead bodies, steals Marius's ring. Valjean recovers and escapes the sewers carrying Marius, but is confronted at the exit by Javert. Javert threatens to shoot Valjean if he refuses to surrender, but Valjean ignores him. Unable to reconcile the conflict between his civil and moral duties, two things which he always considered the same, Javert commits suicide by plunging himself into the Seine.
Later, Marius mourns for his friends but Cosette comforts him. Revealing his past to Marius, Valjean tells him he must leave because his presence endangers Cosette, and makes Marius promise never to tell her. Marius and Cosette marry; the Thénardiers crash the reception and testify that they saw Valjean carrying a murdered corpse through the sewers. Thénardier unwittingly shows Marius the ring that he stole from him as "proof." Recognising the ring, Marius realises that it was Valjean who saved his life. Being told Valjean's location by Thénardier, Marius and Cosette depart to find him.
As Valjean sits dying in a local convent, he perceives the spirit of Fantine appearing to take him to Heaven. Cosette and Marius rush in to bid farewell. Valjean hands Cosette his confession of his past life, and joins the spirits of Fantine, the Bishop, Enjolras, Éponine, Gavroche, and the other rebels at the barricade.
What does the title mean in relation to the film as a whole?.
The tittle means the "The Miserable Ones" the sufferings and struggles of the characters in the movie.
Among the characters, to whom can you relate to?
Jean Valjean
Because he has done the right way but wrong in action. He covet's to save his sister's starving children. I sometimes do the right way but leading to be misunderstand by other people
Which part of the movie stuck you the most? Why?
Which part of the movie stuck you the most? Why?
Javet
While he is undercover behind the barricade, his identity is discovered. Valjean pretends to execute Javert, but releases him. When Javert next encounters Valjean emerging from the sewers, he allows him to make a brief visit home and then walks off instead of arresting him. Javert cannot reconcile his devotion to the law with his recognition that the lawful course is immoral. He takes his own life by jumping into the abyss.
It is important to forgive even it hurts you. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.
What is the movie’s message?
"Hope" I find hope in the darkness of days, and focus on the brightness of the future awaits. I do not judge others for what they do but for what they have done.
Did I like this in general? Why?
Yes, the movie teaches us about forgiveness and hope for the people who are in need of them.
Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or why not?
Yes,The purpose of the movie is to bring hope for the less fortunate people that struggling and to forgive the people who has the done wrong in their life. People change and bring hope, do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the present moment and live your lives to the fullest.
What specifically did I like or dislike? Why?
I liked when he reveals his true identity to Marius and Cosette after their wedding, and is reunited with them just before his death, having kept his promise to the bishop and to Fantine. He has done his goal to the very last and hopefully Cosette understand Valjean position. When i stand before god at the end of my life, i would hope that i would not have a single bit of talent left, i will say God ive used everything that you gave me.
Are there any aspects of the theme which are left ambiguous at the end? Why?
Gavroche, in thee words i can sum up everything i know about him, HE DIED EASILY! :D he was a cheerful child who died collecting bullets that's all i know...
How does this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?
The Movie inspires me to be hopeful and forgiving. Gave's me inspiration to make me realize the reality of what i do is what i get, if i don't strive now and don't manage to get over my habit of "Happy GO Lucky" i'm in deep shit... There for i will implement my newly made motto. "A goal without a deadline is a dream" Hoping i will change to be a better person.
