Kevin's Watch

Iolanthe wrote:How could I watch Russel Crowe sing "Stars" after Philip Quast's magical performance? For me, the musical is Colm Wilkinson, Philip Quast, Ruthie Henshall, Alun Armstrong, Lea Salonga and of course Michael Ball.

Agreed. If you haven't seen the 25th anniversary DVD, I highly recommend you do so.

Hm. Just had a look at the cast list. Alfie Boe OK. Peter Polycarpou is playing a pimp? He has a wonderful voice - one of the students on the 10th anniversary one. We know him better as Sharon's jailbird husband in Birds of a Feather! Matt Lucas as the innkeeper???? And Lea Salonga is back but as Fantine, not Eponine. I've never heard of most of the others. I think I'll stick with my 10th one thanks. I love hearing "Do you hear the people sing" in all those different languages. My daughter and I join you in being able to sing along with every word. Oh, I have the song book for the piano too.

I just saw this with my wife last night. What was not to like? Although Jackman cannot sing, I thought the movie was 'raw' and well done. The acting was first class and I was moved.

SoulBiter wrote:I just saw this with my wife last night. What was not to like? Although Jackman cannot sing, I thought the movie was 'raw' and well done. The acting was first class and I was moved.

No doubt - good story with excellent music. But for me, personally, the dream team cast at the 10th Birthday bash just can't be beaten. Seeing any other version would be like watching Mary Poppins without Julie Andrews, or Pride & Prejudice without Colin Firth. I know the story, and the 10th team didn't need scenery, they did it all with their voices. I heard Anne Hathaway on the radio again this morning, and I heard the chap singing Bring Him Home on Sunday - not singers are they, although for non singers they did a good job. No, I'll stick with my dream team, but one day I might get the opportunity to see it live somewhere. That would be different somehow.

You guys know that Jackman has a history of broadway musicals? Of the main cast, he's the only one who got the part on pure talent, rather than name.

Anne Hathaway was amazing for her musical debut, but Russell Crowe shouldn't have been allowed near the part of Javert.

The supporting cast, on the other hand, were all amazing. Especially the girl who played Eponine, Samantha Barks.

Rigel wrote:You guys know that Jackman has a history of broadway musicals? Of the main cast, he's the only one who got the part on pure talent, rather than name.

Anne Hathaway was amazing for her musical debut, but Russell Crowe shouldn't have been allowed near the part of Javert.

The supporting cast, on the other hand, were all amazing. Especially the girl who played Eponine, Samantha Barks.

Having heard it all at this point, I agree with your point.
I will never actually like it, cuz as I said previously I think the music itself...no matter who is doing it...sucks.
Jackman's singing is not inspired/brilliant, but still completely musical-worthy.
Hathaway too is acceptable...just getting the snoot-master [or mistress] treatment..."important/knowledgeable" people slamming her think Bernadette Peters can sing...so you can just ignore their opinions.
I mean "Sweeney Todd"...
Jackman can way outsing Johnny Depp
Same for Hathaway vs. H.B.-Carter.
[though generally speaking Depp and Carter are better actors]
And Evita [the best of the three strictly for music]
Has Banderas and Madonna...who are completely incompetent on both acting AND singing.

Rigel wrote:You guys know that Jackman has a history of broadway musicals? Of the main cast, he's the only one who got the part on pure talent, rather than name.

I've seen a clip of him performing "You've got to be carefully taught" from South Pacific. I still feel he's not a trained vocalist, but as with his performance in Les Miserables, it sufficed.

Rigel wrote:Anne Hathaway was amazing for her musical debut, but Russell Crowe shouldn't have been allowed near the part of Javert.

I feel the acting on both parts was quite good.

Rigel wrote:The supporting cast, on the other hand, were all amazing. Especially the girl who played Eponine, Samantha Barks.

She broke my heart...

Hugh Jackman is a Tony winner, in fact. (If you wish to be scarred for life by him rotating his pelvis in gold lame slacks, look up "The Boy Next Door" on YouTube. I couldn't finish watching it. )

I was prepared to be very forgiving when I learned that the vocals were recorded on the fly, as they were filmed-- not overdubbed, which is the usual technique because it's too hard to get a flawless and bump-free recording while filming. (No autotune or corrections, either!!) But instead I was very impressed, especially by Hathaway who I don't particularly like but will respect forever for her performance of "I Dreamed a Dream". As a singer, I look at them singing while lying down, sliding down against a post, and (in once scene) being carried down a set of stairs, head down, and I don't know how they do it.

I am about 2/3 through the book, and have not seen other film or stage versions, so I'm only comparing to the book. My only gripe about casting was that Eponine was too healthy-looking; in the book she is an unwashed street rat with a very well-hidden heart of gold. I've heard some people say they didn't like Crowe as Javert but he was fine with me- not a strong singer but musicals are NOT actually all about the singing anyway. It's better (imho) to have actors who can sing than singers who can act. (Years ago a studio recording of West Side Story was harshly critiqued because the singers were all virtuosi singers, rather than actors who can sing; the recording lacked nuance and character.)

So, I beg to differ, but I thought it was great.

The initial crucifixion of the movie seems to be becoming balanced by some more positive posts. Scoring about half/half I reckon at the moment. I'm all bar a few pages finished the book [Norman Denny's masterful translation] and it has been a wonderful reading experience for me. The digressions in particular always come at a bit where you are really into the story - and then you get caught by the digression! I love this book!

[Comparing it to the musical is not really possible - they are just too different.]