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Les Miserables Trailer Unveiled
Other | Wednesday 30th May 2012 | Osh
The first trailer for the up and coming Les Miserables film has been released today.
Tom Harper’s adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic 1862 novel Les Miserables will hit cinemas on the 14th of December 2012, and will start Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham-Carter, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried and Sacha Baron Cohen.
With such a star-studded cast and direction from Tom Hooper, the film is a sure-fire success in the making, and will bring the story to those who may not be able to afford trips to the West End. The plot itself is set in early 19th century France and follows various characters’ personal struggles for redemption and revolution, against the backdrop of the French Revolution.
Jean Valjean, the lead character, is a former prisoner who manages to become the mayor of a small town after breaking the terms of his parole. He agrees to take care of a young girl called Cosette whilst he tries to avoid being recaptured by a police inspector. It is a story of class and political issues, passion, heartbreak and determination.
Anne Hathaway, who will play factory worker Fantine, belts out well-known Les Miserables track ‘I Dreamed a Dream’, and really shows the emotional intensity of the plot. Tom Hooper described her singing and acting abilities as ‘just jaw-dropping’. The character is forced to cut her hair off to sell and become a prostitute to survive. Hathaway herself opted to have her own hair cut for the role, rather than use a wig. She also reportedly went on a 500-calories-a-day diet for 20 days to lose a stone for the movie.
Tom Hooper has already directed the incredibly successful ‘The King’s Speech’ and won an Oscar for his work. Hooper also explained that all the music was sung by the actors for authenticity. He told USA Today that it was the only way he wanted to do it. “If you are miming to a playback, even if the synchronisation is done very well, there is a part of you that knows something is off, something is false. When it's live, you believe it so much more.” He continued, “The actors have complete freedom rather than following a recording done three months before.”
The Les Miserables film is already popular with critics and fans alike, and is sure to be just as spectacular, heart-renching and powerful as the West End show.
You can watch the trailer right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oni72Fl7xaw
