A Reel Opinion: A LES MISERABLES Follow-up

 

Tom Hooper’s newest adaptation of LES MISERABLES appears to be a solid success, with good money at the box office and many post-year award nominations for directing and acting. However, many fans of the original stage musical have expressed disgust over major Hollywood stars being cast in the film over original stage performers who have been living and working the material for years. It can be argued that the film would have been better if the keys to the kingdom were handed over to the experienced caretakers, instead of a cast of newcomers.

So why, indeed?

The cold, harsh answer is that stars sell tickets. No one is going to flock to the movie theatre to see a film full of names they have never heard of. Sure, the stage fans would come, but movies need to speak to a wider audience, and having the faces of major stars is the way to bring them all in. If LES MIS went the route of casting names unknown to film fans, the movie could very well have been a major flop, and that is never good for the industry.

Filmmakers do value the art, but they have to value the dollar as well. Forget for a minute that the stars will make a few million for their work. The film industry is just that, an industry. It is a way of life and a livelihood not just for actors, directors, writers and producers, but also for set-builders, costume-makers, dialogue-coaches, electricians, caterers, artists, and a thousand other jobs. Movies need to make money. If not, then there will be no more movies.

Director Tom Hooper knows that, but he also seems to acknowledge the fans of the stage by casting a couple of very talented actors who have performed LES MIS off-screen. Samantha Barks (Eponine) and Colm Wilkinson (the Bishop) both have stage experience and hold high-regard amongst fans of the stage. A small compromise, but a compromise nonetheless.

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LES MISERABLES is currently in theatres. It is directed by Tom Hooper (THE KING’S SPEECH), and stars Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Helena Bonham Carter.