to think that Russell Crowe is really not that bad in Les Mis?

[Lottapianos]

Just back from seeing the film and I LOVED IT! I saw the stage show about 10 years ago and it was great hearing all the songs again. I thought all the singers were absolutely fabulous apart from Russell Crowe - but I had been led to believe he was a total disaster and massacred all the songs. I thought he did fine - apart from 'Stars' which was a real disappointment (such a beautiful song). He really looked the part and super hunky in his lovely uniform. I don't think he disgraced himself with his singing at all. He was hardly Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia

Thought Hugh Jackman's voice was about 90% great, a few wobbles though. The start of 'Bring Him Home' was not good.

Right, back from my shower, what have I missed??

Oh yes, Philip Quast

Shall we talk about the Thernadiers? I liked parts of their performance but felt (HBC especially) there was something missing. Not sure if it's just because it's so much fun when it is live.

What do others think?

I actually liked RC's singing better than his acting. I felt he was too reserved.

"And so it must be, for so it is written, on the dooooorway to paradise. That those who falter and thoooose who fall, must paaaay the pricccce".

No one can sing Stars like Quast.

Also I just remembered that Gavroche was the Thenardier's kid too. In the book, I mean. Weird!

SirBoob I think that is my most played song on my ipod.

It gives me shivers.

Philip Quast IS Javert.

Agreed showtunesgirl

(you forgot to run in )

I feel everyone is missing the point. Talking about singing and acting and stuff.

For me the experience was dominated by the impossible anatomy of Ephonime.

YY to Anne Hathaway, she was superb.

Also agree about the Thernadiers. Then again, one of the beauties of those roles is the atmosphere they provide in the performance, it was never going to translate entirely to film. But I think they could have been cast better.

Foggles running with a gavel is dangerous! Don't you know that?

I agree! Her arms are probably on the skinny side of normal in real life, but they looked like proper meat hooks above that waist.

The medal was Russell Crowe's idea apparently - another reason I can forgive him a great deal in the role.

Thenardiers...yeah. Well, they're borderline clowns in the stage show, aren't they, which is never going to work on film. I think HBC has spent her entire career rebelling against her Room With a View image, TBH. I just want to slap her upside her fuzzy head and say, 'You're PRETTY! And CUTE! Deal with it!'

Elphaba, can we tell Johnny Depp this too please?

They didn't half miss an opportunity letting Hugh rush into the courtroom, ripping off his shirt to reveal '24601' carved into his stunning lickable beautifully formed chest.

I really enjoyed the film - and Anne Hathaway was simply, hair raisingly, brilliant.

But one question for you avid fans, why did RC commit suicide? DH and I couldn't agree. He thought it was because he fell, I thought because he realised he was in debt to a 'criminal' but that actually he just couldn't take it that he'd 'lost' - or am I missing something? Or did he realise how bad Stars was?!

The medal was genius. I don't think I will ever lose the lump in my throat from that scene.

I think Russell Crowe's Stars and Hugh Jackman's Bring Him Home were about level pegging in terms of disappointment actually.

I saw the movie documentary again yesterday and I think that with a second viewing of the film I won't mind RC nearly as much. Now I know the worst and I know that nothing was truly awful, so hopefully I can relax next time and appreciate the better bits!

No, don't tell Johnny Depp that, his "I'm still half a pirate'' look is hot.

I am definitely going to see it again. And possibly again after that.

He topped himself after he realised that the only sound editing done in the film was to fade out his final note which he was incapable if resolving to a listenable conclusion.

Just listening to the YouTube version of Stars. Not too bad. Thinking about it I think it was the orchestration changes and the loss of the "riff" that I objected to as much as Russell himself.

I actually thought Bring Him Home was more disappointing than Stars because Hugh Jackman is a musical theatre singer. And that's the big number of the show.

I liked the fact the Thernadiers were slightly underplayed. I hate when they are out and out clowns. The characters are pretty evil, a little underplaying does em good. Keeps them in their place I say.

I always wonder why the third Thernadier kid is always ignored in the musical. Can't remember much about her from the book - was she really boring?

Collector no, he didn't slip.

My understanding is the same as yours in that he could not live in debt to a criminal. The lyrics of Stars make reference to "order & light", I think he was a perfectionist and could not allow for the slip he had made in not upholding the law.

Lurked she didn't do much, was just a sister of Eponine.

Which version, Sheep? Philip Quast

In seriousness Collector Javert commits suicide because his black and white world of right and wrong is thrust into shades of grey when a 'criminal' is unspeakably kind and forgiving. He can't cope. He leaps into the Seine. You've GOT to read the book. It makes the musical seem like a bawdy romp.

Am I the only one a tiny bit sorry not to have seen Javert on the barricade at the end, sharing a hatchet-burying nod and wink with Valjean?