Les Misérables (2012)
Where to Watch
- Tom Hooper originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
- Before Hugh Jackman was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
Les Misérables is a 2012 British musical drama directed by Tom Hooper, adapted from the legendary stage musical based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel. Hugh Jackman stars as Jean Valjean, a French peasant imprisoned for 19 years for stealing bread who breaks parole, reinvents himself as a respected factory owner and mayor, and is relentlessly pursued across decades by the rigid Inspector Javert, played by Russell Crowe. The story spans the years from 1815 to the June Rebellion of 1832 in Paris, weaving Valjean's quest for redemption with the tragic story of Fantine, a single mother played by Anne Hathaway who is destroyed by poverty, and her daughter Cosette's love for the young revolutionary Marius.
Tom Hooper made the radical decision to have the actors sing live on set rather than lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks, capturing raw, emotional performances that prioritized acting over vocal perfection. Anne Hathaway's single-take performance of "I Dreamed a Dream," filmed in extreme close-up as tears streamed down her face, was one of the most devastating moments in movie musical history and won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Les Misérables earned $441 million worldwide on a $61 million budget.
