Friday, November 23, 2012

Les Misérables (2012)


As the release date of Tom Hooper's onscreen adaptation of Cameron Mackintosh's mega musical draws near, here are 10 things you need to know before belting along Anne Hathaway's gut-wrenching showstopper, "I Dreamed a Dream."

1. All the songs in the film were sung live during filming. The cast wore earpieces which played live piano accompaniment. Orchestral music was added later during post production.

2. A new song not originally in the musical was added in the movie. Composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg, "Suddenly" tells how Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) took care of Cosette after rescuing her from the Thénardiers.

3. This is director Tom Hooper and Helena Bonham Carter's second film. They first worked together in The King's Speech (2010)

4. Anne Hathaway had her hair cut short for her role as Fantine. The latter originally has blonde locks. In the film adaptation, Hathaway is nowhere near blonde.

5. Samantha Barks plays the love-struck Éponine, the very same role she had in the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables (2010).

6. This is English stage actor Eddie Redmayne's (Marius Pontmercy) breakthrough movie. Expect his career to skyrocket next year.

7. Colm Wilkinson, who originated the role of Jean Valjean in the West End and Broadway, has a minor role as the Bishop of Digne. Tony-winning actress Frances Ruffelle (the original Éponine in Broadway and West End) will have a cameo as a prostitute.

8. Character actors Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter play the Thénardiers. They previously worked together in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007).

9. Keep your eyes peeled for cameos by producer Cameron Mackintosh and composer Claude-Michel Schönberg.

10. Don't expect the cast's singing to be as good as the original Broadway and West End recordings. Hugh Jackman is no Colm Wilkinson.

12 comments:

Mr. Tripster said...

Ooooo! I really can't wait to see the movie. I'm going to read the novel first before I watch the movie. Hehehe... Parang ang feeling ko eh hindi ako satisfied kung hindi ko ma absorb pareho and at the same time hindi ko ma-feel ang misery ng mga characters.

Visual Velocity said...

Mr. Tripster: Baligtad tayo. Ako naman I'd rather watch the movie first, hehe

Archieviner VersionX said...

Another must watch movie. Dami ko nang gustong panoorin.

Visual Velocity said...

Archieviner: Humahaba na listahan natin. :)

citybuoy said...

My gawsh, I get goosebumps whenever I see the trailer for this film!

And I love Eddie Redmayne. I thought he was sooooo adorable in My Week With Marilyn.

And one little thing: breakthrough? or breakout? tee hee

Raft3r said...

ang ganda ng mata ng bata

teka
what is borat doing in this movie?
hehe

Visual Velocity said...

citybuoy: Have you heard him sing? Ganda ng boses! He sings like an angel.

Visual Velocity said...

Denoy Eusebio: Nakaka-aliw nga yung bata. First movie niya yata ito. I'm not sure, pero parang may nabasa akong ganun.

Re: Borat, contrabida siya sa film. Contrabidang kumakanta. :D

citybuoy said...

I saw this video on youtube where someone compiled the actor's singing moments. Nakaka-goosebumps boses niya!

Visual Velocity said...

citybuoy: Among the principal cast in the movie, he's the only one who can actually "sing." Walang sinabi sina Russel Crowe at Hugh Jackman! :D

SunnyToast said...

I'm looking forward to see this movie! I've read the book twice and I really wanna see the adoptation:) let's see!hehehehe!

Visual Velocity said...

SunnyToast: You've read the book twice? Wow, buti ka pa. I'm planning to get one. Syempre, sa mga book sale lang ako naghahanap. Ang mahal kasi pag regular price. :D