Les Misérables: Raw and Real or Unsweetened and Rough?

Les Misérables was certainly one of the most anticipated releases of the holiday season, and one of the most successful box office hits as well. Anne Hathaway has been praised for her breathtaking rendition of Fantine, but not all the film’s actors are so lucky.

Director Tom Hooper wanted the film to be “raw and real,” according to Russell Crowe, who played Javert. “…sure it could have been sweetened, [but] Hooper wanted it raw and real, [and] that’s how it is.”

Speaking of moviegoers, Crowe adds, “They’re going to expect the type of thing they’re used to, but I don’t think it’s anything like what they’re used to. Even from the get-go, if you’re familiar with “Les Mis,” the first line Javert sings is completely different—you’ve never heard it before.”

To get to the core emotions, Hooper had the actors sing live instead of lip syncing and then recording and doctoring the vocals later. This, he said, would allow the actors to connect better with their characters and truly experience the emotions they were supposed to be portraying. He hoped that this would be transferred to the audience as well.

But some have found the “raw” vocals more distracting than enveloping. Had the actors lip synced and the vocals been performed in a studio setting, they could have been “sweetened” and less distracting. Or, if Hooper was set on live performance, he could have cast professional singers instead—as many Broadway shows do.

Would the movie have been better with stronger vocals either studio recorded or by professional singers? Or is the movie more emotionally riveting and stronger with more realistic sounding performances?

“Les Misérables” Already Oscar Worthy

Tom Hooper’s adaptation of “Les Misérables” is already gaining serious praise from critics and viewers who saw the November 23^rd premier of the new musical, who are calling its nomination for several Oscars a surefire thing. And for those of us who are musical lovers, that’s good news. These days, there isn’t exactly an excess of new musicals to choose from—so the release of one, quickly followed by chatter of Oscars, is rare news.

Anne Hathaway takes the cake for her portrayal of Fantine the factory worker, and Hugh Jackman stars as the ex-con and leading man, Jean Valjean. Both have received rave reviews from critics.

“Anne Hathaway could easily win supporting actress [at the Oscars],” said Dave Karger of Fandango.com. “Her ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ is the showstopper.” Indeed, many are calling Hathaway’s performance a “lock” for a Best Supporting Actress nomination.

Jackman could very well pick up his first Oscar as well. “The audition with Hugh, which was in May of last year, was an extraordinary moment because that was when I knew I had a movie,” said Hooper in an interview with Deadline.com. “Hugh has a kind of innate grace and spirit as a human being and a great kind of moral compass and gentleness that is perfectly suited for this man going on this spiritual journey.”

In fact, the entire film is likely to be a strong contender for Best Picture at the 2013 Oscars. Hooper’s no amateur when it comes to directing jaw-droppers. He directed “The King’s Speech” in 2010, with its all-star cast of Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, and Geoffrey Rush. It won four Oscars in 2011: Best Achievement in Directing (Tom Hooper), Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by and Actor in a Leading Role (Colin Firth), and Best Writing/Original Screenplay (David Seidler).