Les Miserables Movie Review 1997

Yet another adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel. Paroled convict Jean Valjean (Neeson) gets chased by police inspector Javert (Rush) while factory worker Fantine (Thurman) turns to prostitution to survive. August chose to begin this tale after Valjean's trial and imprisonment for petty theft, and until the final third of the film, doesn't really deal with the political upheaval of the time. Not as sweeping or grand as other versions, but what this adaptation lacks in scope, it makes up for with top-notch performances (especially by Neeson and Rush) and more careful study of the characters themselves.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on DVD
Running time 134 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

France, Paris, Not-So-True Identity, Men in Prison, Cops, Period Piece: 18th Century, Oldest Profession, Books to Film: Victor Hugo, Politics, Hard Knock Life

Screenplay

Rafael Yglesias

Cast

Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman, Claire Danes, Paris Vaughan, Reine Brynolfsson, Hans Matheson, Mimi Newman

Cinematography

Jorgen Persson

Director

Bille August

Music

Basil Poledouris