Les Miserables (2012)

I saw this movie today. I have seen the play on Broadway about 4-5 times. I watched the play once in French, I have seen the two anniversary DVDs and the German and Dutch versions. While I'm not a Les Miserables expert I do know what I like and what I don't. This current version was a very good attempt. While I think the Broadway show was the best (and should come back to the theater) this movie comes in second place. Hugh Jackman did well as Jean Valjean as did Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Amanda Seyfried as Cosette. Samantha Barks was a good Eponine too (I had never heard of her before this movie.) I didn't think Eddie Redmayne was good as Marius though. He has a weird face that looks like he has lock-jaw. I also didn't like how he sang. He should have been played by the guy who played Enjolras - he was good while Eddie Redmayne should have had a smaller role. Russell Crowe acted and looked the part of Javert, but he didn't always sing well. I also didn't like how they sang "One Day More." It didn't seem to flow the way the song is supposed to - and it's usually a very good song. The rest of the film was a good adaptation of the musical.