Les Misérables: Start Getting Excited
I’m sometimes skeptical when a new movie comes out, and it’s the millionth version of a story we’ve seen time and time again. You know what I’m talking about right? Spiderman. Again. Robin Hood. Again. A Christmas Carol. Again. Again. And again.
Such was my prejudice when I first heard they were doing another film adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Misérables. I thought, “Didn’t they just release the remake with Liam Neeson?” Then, Mark looked it up on Netflix and that film came out in 1998. So, it has been a while. I’ll give them that.
Then, a few weeks back, I saw the movie trailer and learned it was going to include the music from the stage musical. “Okay,” I thought. “This film is starting to earn more cool points.” I absolutely love the musical; I have seen it on Broadway twice and played the record enough times growing up to know each song word for word. To give you a visual, imagine my sister and I, age four and seven, jumping off of the couch with imaginary mugs in hand, dancing to “Master of the House.” It happened.
But then, the cool points blew off the charts when when I watched a video of an “Extended First Look” today. Not only did I get goosebumps, but several waves of goosebumps. Let me show you what I mean:
So now, I’m intrigued. This is not just any film remake, but a reimagining altogether. It’s a fresh theatrical approach to this classic tale, and one that gives me immense respect for the actors, directors, and entire production staff involved.
I know exactly what movie we’ll be watching with our family in New York this Christmas.
So excited about this! Wow, now I don’t understand why every movie musical hasn’t done this! Excited for Castelli/Lanker Christmas Movie Night! 🙂
Seriously! In some ways, the concept seems so simple. It’s what I love about stage theatre – – that journey that each actor takes in real time, which the audience gets to take with them. And what I hated about acting in student films was the struggle of finding that journey when you’re filming the last scene first, the first scene last, and so on. So, all that to say, I’m glad you’re excited!
Ahhhh can’t wait!!
I know, right?! Will you be in NY for Hanukkah / Christmas? If so, rendezvous at New Roc for family movie night!
Reblogged this on calmyourbeans.
Thanks for the re-blog! Very honored to be included among your blog’s posts today.
This could be a two-handkerchief production–so powerfully moving and so extraordinarily musical at the same time.
I teared up during the film clip, so you can bet we’ll need a whole tissue box to pass up and down the aisle throughout the film. I’m bracing myself for “Bring Him Home.”
Wow! Such a simple, real-life concept but risk-taking at the same time. I agree it’s one we should see together!
The new movie looks like a movie we shall be watching in 2012. I, too, am intrigued!