Deconstructing LES MISERABLES

Les Miserable has made its foray into the annals of movie musicals and I  have done my due diligence in viewing the film.  My wife (@dimplsandcurls) and I have had great fun deconstructing the film and I now wish to share some of our thoughts with you.

First of all, the film was good.  Watching it is a worthwhile experience.  This is true of almost any incarnation of this famous story and the 2012 release does not disappoint.  There are many issues with the film that keep it from being at the top of desirable editions of this perennial favorite.  Foremost among those issues is the fact that, while this is a movie musical, the music was not a featured player.  This is most apparent in the first act.  I expected and looked forward to an intimate view of the players emotions in the performances, after all, what better reason is there to translate the musical from stage to the screen?  However I found the music to be vague, ethereal or tinny which diminished the potency of the film translation.

It appeared to me that the actors and crew were working so very hard to convey emotion while some of the most profound and emotional music ever written was added as an after thought.  This was most noticeable during "I Dreamed a Dream".  Hathaway did an outstanding job expressing her despair and anguish, however, I felt almost none of it.  The music is beautifully tragic on it's own.  Breaking the pace and meter of the song with choke-ups and reflection did not make it more powerful and, in fact, made the performance seem disingenuous to the song.

The second act was much stronger.  It became clear that the effort in emotion from the players existed because they were, in fact, not good singers.  They were adequate for the most part, even good, but poor substitutes for talented voices that use their singing to convey their emotions as much as their expressions.  The second act was full of characters played by singers/actors who were not celebrities.  "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" seemed to be the ideal balance of emotional performances through music and emotional expressions on screen, complete with close ups and face shots to enhance the story telling. "A Heart Full Of Love" was similarly better with the intimacy of film.  I had always considered that sequence to be a weak point of the stage show, but the up close expressions and superbly balanced voices was by far the best rendition of the song I had seen or heard.

"Red and Black" was another great example of seeing the story telling elevated though exposing details in film combined with excellent performances.  It also marked the point I realized another vitally missing element of the movie up to that point: the lack of a strong chorus (or ensemble.)  The power of many voices is one of the great features of a musical and because of the style involved in a film adaption, it was sorely missing.

The virtue of the primary cast's abilities became a powerful asset in the finale.  As Hathaway joined in on finale, she sounded like an angel soaring over Jackman's stricken Valjean.  Their performance finally elicited a tear from me.

While there is more that could be said about the production overall I will limit my thoughts to two points:  One, a more detailed and realistic depiction of the depravity from the novel does not make the production better.  Seeing the poor on the streets was more powerful that singers dressed in grubby clothing.  Seeing what it is actually like to drag someone through the overflowing excrement of Paris' sewers was not..  This is also true for the the realities of prostitution and the gore of battle.

Finally, don't discount the comic relief   "Master of the House" is a bright, buoyant and boisterous window in a story of tragedy.  Indeed Master and Mistress Thenadier serve this purpose throughout the film.  It is true, they are also there to be evil bottom feeders out to spoil the lives of our protagonist, but the stage production always assured that their evil was sugar coated enough to preserve the power of their comic relief.  In the film adaptation, the effort to create comedy was so over the top that it distracted me from the film and brought me out of the moment.  Later on, the acts of Thenadier are so vile and stark to the traditional character that his comedic appearances are castrated.  Carter and Cohen were NOT good choices for these beloved characters and the lack of whimsy in the production was profoundly missed.

Let me wrap up by saying that "Stars" may have been favorite piece of the show.  Russel Crowe is clearly not a good singer but he was an excellent Javert.  The arrangement of the orchestration in "Stars" was a fine compliment to the outstanding imagery of that number.  Watch the resolute Crowe before Notre Dame, the stone eagle and beautiful sky told volumes about Javert's character that I had not considered.  It was truly a stunning moment.

I hope you have enjoyed our little critique of  Les Miserables.  I hope I have not put words in Hannah's mouth, and if so I hope she will point out her dissent here.  But many of these observations I would not have made without her so I feel that she should be included in the credit for this piece.

Douglas T.  (JeepCruzer) has performed music on stage and in studio for more than 30 years and has produced bands on stage as owner of  Dee Jay Doug & Imagination Music Works, a Sound Reinforcement and Dee Jay business.  You can find Dee Jay Doug on Facebook or you can contact Doug via E-mail or Twitter

Correction... almost 13 hours with intermissions. http://t.co/yDSMYPwO
8:55 AM November 13th via bitly
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Hmm. LOTR marathon? More than 11 hours! But only $19.75 http://t.co/jidfvfSD
8:53 AM November 13th via bitly
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I'm counting down with the Hobbit Clock! http://t.co/Ww8SPxSb
8:51 AM November 13th via bitly
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@youtah The museum used to have the SR-71 on display out in the open. Kinda bugs me that now it is tucked away behind so much stuff. :-(
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RT @eEditor: Obama Lost In Every State That Had Voter ID Laws http://t.co/wl9digP3
8:29 AM November 13th via TweetDeck
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RT @BenWinslow: .@RideUTA begins testing TRAX line to #SLC International Airport: http://t.co/MZrp2coN @fox13now #Utah
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You've gotta be kidding me! RT @BenWinslow Outdoor retailers group asks Obama to create National Monument near #Moab: http://t.co/MGvZ5xlQ
8:03 AM November 13th via TweetDeck

This looks like a challenge for Steve aka Agent @eeditor http://t.co/x7EVml7W
3:10 PM October 20th via Streamified

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This package wreaked havock with bus service through rush hour. RT @BenWinslow Bomb squad detonate package in #SLC: http://t.co/p8aXrSfk
10:31 AM October 20th via TweetDeck

Do people realize how ridiculous they look wearing big beats cans? http://t.co/JTlIzxHY
11:40 AM October 5th via TweetDeck
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I'm not jazzed up for #Skyfall. Anyone else in #Bond malaise? http://t.co/bQMX347R
9:24 AM October 5th via TweetDeck
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Looks like @OfficialAdele is opening the Bond film. RT @majornelson The official theme for #Skyfall released today http://t.co/bQMX347R
9:22 AM October 5th via TweetDeck
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I love these BYU highlight reels that @KSL posts to YouTube: http://t.co/w4Gl6oAf Anyone know if someone makes them for @uutah games?
9:18 AM October 5th via TweetDeck
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I liked a @YouTube video http://t.co/KM3bkoSz BYUvsHawaii928
9:16 AM October 5th via Google
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Watching that double lateral in the 2nd quarter was worth price of admission. RT @SpryUte Win or lose, Utes have been playing with heart.
10:20 PM October 4th via TweetDeck

Saw it at 24. Didn't see the fascination. :-\ RT @eEditor My daughter is watching Goonies. A show I never bothered to see. Not going to now.
9:37 PM September 1st via TweetDeck
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RT @Kate_Pease: Did you guys see that bright peach/pink/purple colored sky tonight!? Wow!!! #nofilter http://t.co/0Xc7NpCD
8:57 PM September 1st via TweetDeck

#neilarmstrong will be remembered as the Zefram Cochrane of our age. #StarTrekHumor
6:00 PM August 25th via Streamified
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@sharlenehawkes are/were you going to the convention Sharlene?
5:52 PM August 25th via G+Tw
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Neil Armstrong, the 1st man on the moon, has died at age 82 reports that Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the https://t.co/lGZ25JHB
5:42 PM August 25th via G+Tw

RT @michaelkreagan: Joss Whedon will return for 'The Avengers 2' - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety: http://t.co/nijUmfLZ
3:47 PM August 7th via TweetDeck

RT @michaelkreagan: Box Office receipts for Dark Knight Rises could suffer a 20-30 million drop opening weekend due to today's shooting.
12:03 PM July 20th via web
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I might have to mark this day in my journal. #longtimecoming RT @cuteculturechic I've finally met @eEditor. #success #SOCOMX
12:15 AM July 20th via TweetDeck
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Last leg of the Marathon starts in just a few minutes! Time to finish the trilogy. http://t.co/TtbUJNAd @GetGlue #TheDarkKnightRises
12:07 AM July 20th via GetGlue.com
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Dark Knight is still great. Amazing how much more sophisticated DK is. Is it Jonathan Nolan's influence? http://t.co/TJWXezBI @GetGlue
11:25 PM July 19th via GetGlue.com

Batman 1 was better than I remeber. (Haven't watched it since release.) http://t.co/PBBQqtPw @GetGlue #BatmanBegins
8:43 PM July 19th via TweetDeck
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Never tried one of these opening night marathons. I'm ready for awesome @megaplextheatres ! http://t.co/PBBQqtPw @GetGlue #BatmanBegins
6:00 PM July 19th via GetGlue.com
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Y not recruit volunteers watching sports? RT @SportsBizMiss Congress has rejected efforts to end military sponsorship of sports.
4:59 PM July 19th via TweetDeck
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Infographic: Average salary at TSA is over104k/year. All paid from your taxes. You also paid one TSA exec $5.4M http://t.co/bWzWwTFX
1:41 AM July 19th via TweetDeck
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Infographic: TSA spent $34 million of your tax dollars on puffer machines. All 207 are in storage.
http://t.co/bWzWwTFX
1:32 AM July 19th via TweetDeck
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Woo hoo! RT @verge Grum botnet taken down, may have been responsible for 18 percent of global spam http://t.co/47QvxhLq
1:09 AM July 19th via TweetDeck

The hole where the Duel Creek Irrigation failure is being repaired is now about 20 feet wide. http://t.co/2p8dG8Mz
9:41 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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Best photo I've got for now. Lower left corner is 6 foot wide sink hole. http://t.co/XpINTbxX
4:25 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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Just received auto phone call from @CPDutah also. No westbound traffic on Parish 100 E to 400 W. No traffic on Main, Chase Ln to Porter Ln.
2:34 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @cpdutah: No westbound traffic allowed on Parrish at Main st.
2:27 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @cpdutah: Effected water line is Deuel Creek irrigation. No disruption of drinking water expected. Irrigation disrupt extensive.
2:27 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @cpdutah: Major water leak Parrish and Main - avoid intersection if possible. Repair will take all day or longer.
2:27 PM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @michaelkreagan: Saw Disney/Pixar's BRAVE last night. The animation was simply beautiful and the story was fantastic too! I will give ...
10:50 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @kslcom: "We could never have envisioned where we are today," #SkyWest founder says as company marks 40 years. http://t.co/jVtwAgR6
10:49 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @StatueLibrtyNPS: #365Days of #Liberty- 6/20/1782- The Great Seal of the United States was submitted to Congress. Check the back of ...
10:47 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @verge: LeVar Burton will be On The Verge with Alexis Ohanian and Tim Wu! http://t.co/48W6yYG0
1:43 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @Jess_Intermtn: Our new Life Flight helicopters feature state-of-the-art technology – all digital controls – specially designed for h ...
1:41 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @dicks_market: Our new ad date is taking place in July #DicksMarket http://t.co/oUcHeluf
1:40 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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That game has no business being so much fun! RT @PodcastUnlocked Rockstar Table Tennis is $5 on Games on Demand, and... http://t.co/uqcapZoo
1:39 AM June 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @lauralollipop: I must say, watching Data learn to dance in "Data's Day" was the most awesome thing I've seen all week. He and Dr. Cr ...
1:18 AM June 20th via TweetDeck

Double Double from In-N-Out across street from Legacy 14. RT @megaplextheatre What is your favorite restaurant near a Megaplex location...
10:33 PM June 16th via TweetDeck
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RT @InsideTheMagic: According to the Red Car Trolley conductor, yesterday was the first time California Adventure topped @Disneyland Par ...
10:29 PM June 16th via TweetDeck

Doug's Top 40 Must See Science-Fiction Films & Franchises

Standards of selection:
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I. Films must not stink
II. No prejudice will be held against aged films and presentism will be avoided in their consideration
III. Films must have a heavy science/futurist component (i.e. Terminator qualifies, I Am Legend does not)
IV. Super hero films will be reserved for another list
V. Films are listed in no particular order

The Top 40 (In no particular order) ------------------------------------------------------ The Day The Earth Stood Still Forbidden Planet Star Wars (franchise comprehensive) Planet Of The Apes (1968) The Matrix (franchise comprehensive) The Wrath of Khan Tron Tron Legacy Ghostbusters Close Encounters Of The Third Kind War Games Star Trek (2009) Contact The Black Hole Flight Of The Navigator The Last Starfighter Terminator (franchise comprehensive) Minority Report Short Circuit Rocketeer 2001: A Space Odyssey 2010 Avatar Colossus: The Forbin Project Back To The Future Trilogy Manhattan Project Logan’s Run Blade Runner The Andromeda Strain THX 1138 iRobot War Of The Worlds (2005) Soylent Green Super 8 WALL-E Iron Giant Paul Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie 9 Inception

Films which almost made the list ---------------------------------------------------- Transformers (2007) Transformers (G1) Robocop Mad Max Total Recall Fifth Element 12 Monkeys V For Vendetta Surrogates Moon Outbreak A.I. 1984 Meet The Robinsons Silent Running I Am Legend Titan A.E. Star Trek TMP Dr. Strangelove (O.H.I.L.T.S.W.A.L.T.B.) E.T. Starman Space Camp Men In Black Abyss Alien, Aliens, etc. Stargate The Time Machine 20,000 Leagues under the sea Flash Gordon War Of The Worlds (1953) District 9 Galaxy Quest Signs The Island

Sci-Fi films that did not qualify ----------------------------------------------------- Mac and Me My Favorite Martian My Stepmother Is An Alien Coneheads Mars Attacks Men in Black 2 A Clockwork Orange Batteries Not Included Cocoon Outlander Solaris Monsters vs. Aliens Bicentennial Man K-Pax Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen Ultraviolet

Day 148 - Project 366

How is it that I don't hear @TheRealNimoy doing more voice work? I love to listen to his dialogue.
9:39 PM May 24th via TweetDeck
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I can't drive on the sidewalk. Why do you jog in the road?
7:26 PM May 24th via TweetDeck
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RT @CleonTFulton: Problem w/Palin calling @OrrinHatch 'Mr. Balanced Budget' is that in his 35+ yrs in DC, the budget has only been balan ...
2:21 PM May 24th via TweetDeck

RT @TheChalkOutline: Two suspects sought in West Bountiful bank robbery http://t.co/hGCPo007 #Utah #crime
10:30 PM May 22nd via TweetDeck
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I really liked your article about the hasidic's rally. Hope the praise isn't too late when you get around to reading this @futurepaul,
9:53 PM May 22nd via TweetDeck

Apparently I AM the 1% http://t.co/jUiTR0un
9:18 PM May 22nd via Twitpic
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A student at my school is stoked to be part of this. RT @bountifulnews 2,000 'stripling warriors' to march in parade http://t.co/2KxPicCv
8:43 AM May 22nd via TweetDeck
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RT @michaelkreagan: Just saw the teaser to the new Bond film Skyfall. I have to report that I am completely underwhelmed. (Yawn) http:// ...
8:36 AM May 22nd via TweetDeck
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RT @verge: Google completes acquisition of Motorola Mobility, CEO Sanjay Jha replaced by Dennis Woodside http://t.co/xxJaTzeo
8:32 AM May 22nd via TweetDeck

The eclipse waines 20:18MDT http://t.co/BkY7f9m3
9:16 PM May 20th via TweetDeck
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Eclipse at 20:01MDT heavy clouds in Salt Lake City area obscure the shot. http://t.co/DMy4ufHy
8:08 PM May 20th via TweetDeck
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The view of the eclipse at it's peak. 19:30 MDT (Salt Lake City area) http://t.co/kZjXtk0U
8:06 PM May 20th via TweetDeck
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The eclipse viewing setup at my father-in-law's place. http://t.co/8GNN3JnN
8:02 PM May 20th via TweetDeck
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The current wax of the eclipse from the Salt Lake City area. http://t.co/HLCL7wyJ
7:11 PM May 20th via TweetDeck
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RT @TeamHill_UT: 1 week = #HillAFB #Utah! RT @AFThunderbirds enroute to the show. Flying formation, getting a little gas. TB7 http://t.c ...
2:54 PM May 20th via TweetDeck
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OMGosh. That is truly awesome. RT @grantimahara I'm wearing an ORIGINAL screen-used #BSG viper pilot's suit. http://t.co/lJJ11O8R
12:38 AM May 20th via TweetDeck

Day 131 - Project 366

RT @gopTODD: Reading Hatch's 1995 editorial on term limits wherein he states that he will be 78 years old in 2012 and NOT running for re ...
10:17 PM May 7th via TweetDeck
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RT @michaelkreagan 'Avengers' blows out all-time B.O. record with $200 million opening. Variety http://t.co/VMqRqHoO
12:53 PM May 7th via TweetDeck
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RT @CameronMVM: Another great letter to the editor: Hatch supported term limits http://t.co/DrdHWvvs #utpol #ItsTime
12:31 PM May 7th via web
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Last chance for @orrinhatch to save face and debate. @danforutah @deseretnews A Question You Should Say Yes To http://t.co/h67H4mtB
12:09 PM May 7th via bitly
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Why can't someone make one with bluetooth sync, or better, WiFi? RT @verge Turn your iPhone into a glucose meter. http://t.co/ALgIkY1O
8:08 AM May 7th via TweetDeck

Day 124 - Project 366

The Star Wars Day cards I made to give out today. (Please don't sue me Uncle George) http://t.co/TtuvdVn4
1:10 PM May 4th via TweetDeck
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Check it out! @388fw tips us off to HAFB's twitter feed: >>>> @TeamHill_UT <<<< It's a local tweet #followfriday!
11:54 AM May 4th via TweetDeck
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No way! Did you know that the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base has a twitter account? >>>> @388fw <<<< (Thanks @BenWinslow )
11:48 AM May 4th via TweetDeck
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Hey Luke! May the fourth be with you.
8:03 AM May 4th via TweetDeck
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I liked a @YouTube video http://t.co/kkX57lc6 On The Verge episode 005: Tony Fadell and Chris Grant
1:32 AM May 4th via Google