Last night, Stephanie and I were joined by our younger son Richard and his wife Claire at the movie theater to see Tom Hooper’s new film LES MISERABLES. I read the book when I was very young with my mother “talking me” through the book that seemed too big for the likes a young boy like me. But, I finished it and LOVED IT from beginning to end. The book endeared me to Victor Hugo and to my mother–both challenged a young mind. Then, I read the book again in high school and saw the play in New York and in London with every group of guests that stayed with us while they were in London. Then, I accompanied my five children and all their friends who came to London. The soundtrack rang through our homes until I thought I could sing every song. I took my friend June Gibson to see the play in London; it proved too powerful for her, and she had to leave the theater early with tears running down her face. Strange as it is, Victor Hugo led me to Charles Dickens whose great novels have launched great debates in our household for years. So, with all that said, we dared to see the movie LES MISERABLES last evening. During the first few scenes, I kept thinking to myself that these actors can’t sing; what in the hell is going on here! Then suddenly, the magnificence of the film, the power of my favorite actors’ performances, the amazing camera work overcame me! At first, I thought the movie was a “mix,” and then I began to feel that I was being swept away by one of the most beautiful movies I had seen in years. For me, ROLLING STONE says it best: DAMN THE IMPERFECTIONS, IT’S PERFECTLY MARVELOUS. At one point, I looked around me; there wasn’t an empty seat in the house and there was NEVER a drop of noise–except the sniffling of the lady sitting next to me with her large bucket of uneaten popcorn. Russell Crowe is a giant. Anne Hathaway is beauty in every way. Hugh Jackman stole the show with his amazing performance. But for me, I enjoyed Eddie Redmayne and Helena Bonham Carter most of all. I have all the time in the world for HBC whether it be in LES MISERABLES, REMAINS OF THE DAY, or THE KING’S SPEECH. Eddie Redmayne is a young actor, a classmate of the Duke of Cambridge, whose young talent oozes out of every pore. OK, these actors do not have the great singing voices, but who cares?! THEY HAVE PRESENCE AND A SENSE OF DRAMA, AND THAT IS WHAT THIS MOVIE IS ALL ABOUT. Oh my goodness, if you haven’t seen it, you must make time. Don’t expect a musical masterpiece; do expect DRAMA at its best. Join the millions who are sitting in theaters in the United States now and in Britain after 11 January who won’t make a sound except the beating of their hearts! TOM HOOPER, YOU ARE MY FRIEND; You brought me a great movie experience. BRAVO.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
http://www.londonconnection.com
