Les Misérables (Movie Analysis)

TITLE

Les Miserables

GENRE

Historical Novel

CHARACTERS

Jean Valjean
The main protagonist of the movie. He was an ex-convict but when Monsiegneur Bienvenu helped him, he became the mayor of the town. Then, he met Cosette and adopted her. From that moment, his life changed.

Monsiegneur Bienvenu 
The priest who helped Jean Valjean and turned him to Christian, he changed Valjean's life.

Cosette
She is the adopted daughter of Jean Valjean when her mother - Fantine - died.

Javert
An inspector police who was trying to put back Jean Valjean in prison.

Marius
Cosette's lover and father of Fantine.

Fantine

Daughter of Cosette and Fantine who ventured in Paris. But unfortunately, she became a prostitute so that she can send money to Cosette.

SETTING

France in the year 1789-1848

PLOT

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, "Les Misérables" tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption--a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

THEME

Redemption

The lead character, Jean Valjean, starts off with a bit of a raw deal in the beginning. Once he is back in the “real world” we see him attempt to walk the “straight and narrow” but because of his criminal past no one wants to give him a fair shot.  He finally comes across a Bishop who welcomes him into his home, gives him food/shelter/kindness, and is repaid by Jean Valjean stealing from him and running in the middle of the night.  When he is caught and brought back for punishment, the Bishop goes along with the story that Jean Valjean was gifted with the silver, and actually hands him the other two most expensive pieces that Jean Valjean had left behind.  He then tells Jean Valjean to use the silver to start a new life, along the path of good, and that he has saved his soul for God.  Throughout the rest of the movie Jean Valjean follows the right path and spends his life putting others before himself.

Sacrifice

Sacrifice is shown by Jean Valjean in many events through out the novel, but the most surprising is when he saves his taken-in daughter's lover's life. This is surprising because he feared of losing Cosette, his daughter to her lover. 

Courage

Courage is shown by Valjean when most others wouldn't care to help or assist. For example when a man gets stuck on a rope on top of a ship, Valjean is the only one to help him and also turns out to help in his own escape.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness, a repetitive theme in many novels took place in the beginning of Les Miserables when the bishop M. Myriel forgave Jean Valjean for stealing his silver, so that he could have another chance at life.

1. What does the title mean in relation to the film as a whole?

The titles clearly speaks about the film. The movie displayed the miserable lives of people during the June Rebellion in Paris during 1832.

2. Among the characters, to whom can you relate to?

I can relate myself to Jean Valjean because even though I made a lot of mistakes in my life, I never doubt to changed for the better.

3. Which part of the presentation struck you the most? Why?

For me, it was his life after parole. He suffered from hunger and he has no shelter.

4. What is the movie’s message? 

The message of the movie is redemption, because in life we can have failures, but we should recover from it a make it as a challenge. A challenge which will mold us as a better person.

5. Did I like this in general? Why?

Definitely, yes! Because I'm a music lover and I'm into classical genre of music, that's why I appreciate the movie a lot. I love the way they act because of their facial expression which I am very particular with. And the story was really one great. Plus the set, it was really detailed.

6. Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or why not?

Yes, because it is clearly seen in the film. The story revolved around  how Jean Valjean redeemed himself from his past life.

7. What specifically did I like/dislike? Why?

I don't like the part where prostitution is shown in the film, because kids might watch this film and in some instances they might watch this without an adult to guide them.

8. Are there any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at the end? Why?

None, because the movie was executed well and very understandable.

9. How does this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?

Like the film, when i found God in my life I understand things easily. I understand why things happen to me. Life may be a long journey, but it is a gift that we should not take for granted.We may encounter some difficulties but we are capable to overcome it with the help of God.