“To love another person is to see the face of God.” -Jean Valjean
Les Miserables deals with the history of France and how the French Revolution unfolded. The novel is known for its remarkable story written by Victor Hugo and was first published in 1862. The 2012 film adaptation was directed by Tom Hooper. Is regret too late? How to start a new life? This review will focus on the story of prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean.
Set in France in the early 19th century, Jean Valjean was finally released after spending nineteen years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread. He eventually became mayor of a town, but is always on the lookout for the risk of being recaptured by Inspector Javert, who is ruthless in his pursuit of lawbreakers. Before Fantine died, Valjean promises to take care of little Cosette. Eventually, Cosette meets Marius, a student of the rebellion and leads them to love each other, which triggers Valjean. He later accepted that he needs to let Cosette go.
Valjean’s transformation from a hardened, hate-filled criminal into a highly respected philanthropist calls for hope. Once Valjean opens his heart, he becomes a testament to the redemptive power of love and compassion. By caring for Cosette, Valjean learns how to love another person and how to pass that love on to others. While Valjean’s efforts on behalf of others inevitably get him into trouble, they also give him a sense of happiness and fulfillment that he’s never felt before. Valjean’s love for others, particularly Cosette, is what keeps him alive in desperate times. This capacity for change makes him a universal symbol of hope: if he can learn love and charity after suffering so much injustice, anyone can.
After seeing the movie Les Miserables, I was definitely in awe. There is more than just a story about the French Revolution. The film deals with broad themes of faith, patriotism, love, compassion, and how people were treated. It was definitely worth the time. The movie justified the story well. The actors played their characters remarkably. The compositions were exceptional as was the way the actors performed them. Anne Hathaway was terrific, even though she only appeared in a few scenes. Hugh Jackman also stands out as always, the tension he brings helps the story a lot. There is no doubt that Les Miserables is an Oscar winner.