AIBU to think that Russell Crowe was actually good...

[MantaRayBay]

... in Les Miserables? I know it's a running joke that he couldn't sing (well they joked about it in Modern Family, I think), but I actually thought he sang well and was well cast...

Have you ever gone against the grain in your opinion of a performance?

[First time poster, please be gentle!]

Yeah uma thurman just dreadful

See, I don't understand why they had to use big names with sub standard singing voices in the film (Samantha Barks aside) as opposed to decent musical theatre actors/singers. Even Hugh disappointed for me and he's got the musical theatre background

The film would have been successful anyway on the back of its theatre success.

Eitherway, RC in my book was spectacularly shit. And HBC but that goes without saying

HBC was just mrs lovett wasnt she ? Meh

HBC was Mme Thenadier in Les Mis film mrsj

Yeah but she was just playing her Mrs lovett from sweeny todd with different songs is what i meant

Ah see what you mean, sorry! Yes indeed

I haven't seen it, but I've loved him ever since Gladiator, (but I doubt I could live with him! Looks like he's got a temper!)

I object less to HBC in Sweeney because Sondheim is more about acting rather than singing. Les Mis has all those sweeping melodies and to totally sung through, which is why they really really should have cast decent singers. Sweeney is more about the acting though I loathe Depp in it. We did it as a school show last year and our 16 yr old Sweeney was way better [biased] I thought Hugh was ok in Les Mis but didn't like Redmayne (even though I generally love him) - there are so many who have played Marius on stage and done a better job.

I thought Into The Woods was well cast though.

I thought he was great in Les Miz, but then I do think he's great in anything he does, even if the films themselves turn out to be not much cop (I'm looking at you, "Robin Hood"). He's one of my top 3 all time film crushes, have been in love with him since LA Confidential: I can remember when it came out all my female friends and I saying "Oh my god, who's Officer White? He's gorgeous!". In fact, 18 years after it came out (18 years?!) whenever his name comes up my best friend and I still turn to each other and say "oooooooo, Officer Whiiiiite ...". God he was so sexy in that ... drifts off into a reverie> ....

There is a lot of face in the film it takes a bit of getting used to Eddie Redmaynes empty chairs was supposed to be heartfelt and all i could think was wow too much face and lips

I adore Les Mis (read the book several times). Russell Crowe was no Javert. My 8yo is similarly obsessed with Les Mis and Javert is her favourite character. If you are going to star in the film version of the musical, you have to have the musical ability to express the raw emotion of his two big songs. Done well Stars and Javert's Soliloquy are absolutely heart-wrenching. He's a far more interesting character than Valjean imo and Crowe turned him insipid.

The Thenardiers missed the mark too. It's not slapstick or the portrayal of loveable rogues. They are vile. Eddie Redmayne was okay but he sounded like Kermit.

My biggest Les Mis Fail is Whatshisface playing Marius in the 25th anniversary concert. What a terrible decision. I can't for the life of me understand why they'd get a boy band singer to portray Marius, particularly up against the likes of Alfie Boe and Ramin Karimloo.

I love the 25th anniversary concert. When Colm and Michael et al come out, I have to Not Cry.

Aww i like little Nick jonas in the 25th he was gavroche on broadway when he was a little boy .

Nick Jonas was embarrassingly bad. I mean I know Marius is weak, annoying, lovestruck and pathetic so perhaps that was the thinking behind it. However, listening to him struggle to project his voice against the behemoths of musical theatre was embarrassing.

Evil I agree about Into The Woods. Emily Blunt was just perfect as The Baker's Wife. Ditto Meryl, loved her Children Will Listen.

Though for me, the way Bernadette Peter's phrases "Have you seen my nectarines?" is sublime

I thought he was quite sweet really sir cameron picked him blame him

I think I saw Les Mis more than once as Russ-boy looked great even what 10 years on from Gladiator.

Agree Nick Jonas was the weakest link. So nasal! And the permanent confused expression

I love the 25th Anniversary version, when all the originals come on at the end!

Nick Jonas is awful so nasally and boybandy. Michael Ball blows him out of the water.

Russell Crowe should be flogged for his version of Stars.

I like Michael Ball on the dvd extras he is so camp and such a luvvie he says a million times when i played Marius yes we know you were the original

Ohh les mis excitement, got tickets for the matinee on Wednesday for me and the kids. They are pretty crummy seats( couldn't afford £114 each for good ones) but it will still be awesome. Does anyone know about the current actors?

bike don't know about current cast but a tip- I always ask about upgrading seats for free. If they have some and you're polite then they usually accomodate. I always use "I know it's cheeky but if you don't ask you don't get, is there any chance of better seats for nothing?". They can only say no

Look for staff floating about the foyer with a headset on. I asked in LesMis once and the bloke was lovely

Oh thanks great tip, will make sure the children look extra cute and well behaved!

My favourite marius was Gareth Gates. Saw him in the West end and he was absolutely amazing

Was he? Good forGareth i said this on another Thread I wish they would tour the show. Im going to beyond the barricades concert in December im looking forward to it but would love to see the full stage show,

It has toured in the past - I saw it in Manchester.