Les Miserables, reprised once again for the big
screen, does not disappoint, and is in fact a powerful, poignant adaptation of
Victor Hugo’s novel about an ex-convict, Jean Valjean, whose life is
transformed through God’s mercy mediated through a compassionate priest.
With
commanding and compelling precision, director Tom Hooper preserved the essence
of Hugo’s novel, giving center stage to several powerful, biblical principles:
mankind is fallen and is in need of redemption; sin destroys; love covers a
multitude of sin; and mercy triumphs over judgment.
(Partial Spoiler warning!)
The impact of
the opening scene will remain with me, well, maybe forever: Jean Valjean and
fellow convicts labor under the unmerciful, watchful eye of prison lord, Javert.
The special effects provided a larger than life image of the horror and trauma
of 19th century hard labor.
Imprisoned for
stealing bread to feed his starving sister and her family, his punishment was
grossly disproportionate to his crime.
As Jean
ValJean toils under the ever watchful eye Jevert, Jean cries out to God in
despair, sung with great impact in “Look Down,” “I’ve done no wrong, sweet
Jesus, hear my prayer! Look down, look down, sweet Jesus doesn’t care.”
The stress and
strain and the injustice of it all took its toll on Valjean~portrayed by Hugh
Jackman~ who was almost unrecognizable as he was transformed into the ravaged
soul of Jean Valjean. Admittedly, Jackman’s singing abilities were not on par
with, say, Josh Groban, but the rawness of his voice quality, for me at least, amplified
the rawness of the life he lived.
The opening
scene also presented a poignant picture of the torment experienced in laboring
under the weight of unrepentant sin (Valjean’s bitterness and rage) and severe
judgment meted out by Jevert, played convincingly by Russell Crowe, who knew
nothing but the law, judgment, and harsh discipline. Jevert insists Valjean
will never change and refuses to refer to him by anything but his prison
number. Refusing, in essence to recognize a fallen man, who nonetheless was
created in the image of God. Granted, this is all conveyed through song, and
while Crowe’s voice is probably lacking most of any in the cast, his skill and
precision as an actor offset the lack in his singing abilities.
As is the case
with every human being, Jean Valjean was a fallen man in need of redemption.
His mental anguish caused by his festering rage appeared to produce an internal
prison which rivaled the external prison in which he labored.
Once released
from prison, Valjean wrought with bitterness and rage, sought employment and
shelter, but was turned away by potential employers and innkeepers due to his
former incarceration.
Sleeping on a
street, it turns out that sweet Jesus answered Valjean’s prayer. He demonstrated
that He did care, extending sweet mercy to the broken soul of Jean Valjean in
the form of a benevolent priest who gathered him into his abode providing him
with shelter, nourishment, and some much needed mercy.
In return for
his kindness, Valjean steals silver from the priest. When caught by the police
and dumped at the priest’s feet, the priest not only insists he gave Valjean
the silver, but also insists Valjean take two silver candlesticks as well. The
priest encourages Valjean to use the candlesticks to become an honest man because God has raised him out of darkness, he, the priest had bought his soul for God.
Upon receiving
the unexpected outpouring of mercy, Valjean repents and dedicates his life to
God. Still hunted by his nemesis, Jevert, Jean Valjean manages to escape
Jevert’s grasp, establish a new life elsewhere, and becomes a wealthy factory
owner and mayor of his town. Throughout the rest of the saga, Jean Valjean
lives a selfless life, extending mercy and love to those who need it most.
One in
desperate need of that mercy is Fantine (played by Anne Hathaway), a young
woman who had been employed at Jean Valjean’s factory, earning just enough
wages to support her young daughter, Cosette, who she left in the care of a
husband and wife team of innkeepers who turned out to be narcissistic, cruel
taskmasters.
Unbeknownst to
Jean, Fantine is thrown out on the street by the factory manager with no means
to support her daughter, Cosette. Desperate to survive and care for her daughter,
and after various attempts at generating income, she finally succumbs to a life
of prostitution.
While the
scene depicting her entrance into the world of prostitution was disturbing
(actually tastefully done considering Hollywood
standards), my heart swelled with compassion for those living unseemly lives
due to brokenness and a crushed spirit. I found myself praying right there in
the theater that I may be an instrument of compassion to the broken hearted.
Even in the
midst of her devastating choices, Fantine is shown crying out to God conveyed
in the beautiful song, “I Dreamed A Dream.” She prays, “I dreamed that love
would never die, I dreamed that God would be forgiving...” The rawness and
emotion with which this is sung left me in a puddle of tears.
Without giving
too much more of the movie away, God answered Fantine’s prayer, extending mercy
through the man Jean Valjean. He cared for Fantine when she was ill and rescued
her daughter Cosette from the evil innkeepers and raised her as his own. A
beautiful depiction of the biblical principle: love covers a multitude of sins
(1 Peter 4:8).
Throughout the
movie, although Jean Valjean is mercilessly pursued by Javert, because Valjean
had experienced and embraced God’s mercy and redemption, he chooses the path of
mercy. I won’t give away just how their lives unfold, but suffice it to say,
mercy triumphs over judgment.
Les Miserables is a musical so yes, the movie
unfolds in virtual unending song. I found the music to be beautiful and
compelling, and at times, raw and unpolished, yet powerful. The timeless principles
embodied in the story line are blatant and compelling…life changing actually.
I left the
theater with James 2:13 reverberating throughout my heart:
“For judgment is without mercy to the one who
has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
This movie is
well worth your $10-$12 bucks ($5.50 matinee!).
