He sang in tune, which is imperative. Clearly zero power to his voice, and we expect power in that role, but....
This was not a broadway production. This was a movie, with hollywood actors. It was acted in a way you cannot see on stage, snd I loved every minute. I honor their performance, as I could never have done it....and I am a singer.

I did not see the movie, don't know if I want to. BUT, I did listen to your link and he was fine. It was in tune. I go
to a movie for entertainment and good acting! lol I like the idea that this director wanted the actual actors to do the singing during the filming. I think that makes it more real to the story. Very cool! And Amy was right, not much power, but he kept in tune.

He's walking along the rooftops with one foot after the other, looking pensive. Not driven. Maybe that was the point of the song? Near the end, he looks as thought he's decided his course of action, but conflicted the rest of the time. Which would make sense since his internal conflict comes to a crossroad at the end.

I have to say, the live singing vs lip syncing made the performance more powerful and meaningful on the screen. On stage might've been very different, but this was certainly a different movie than others done before. This is one of those movies diretly put to film from the movie (like Six Degree of Seperation), and so, it shows. The segues are a bit chopier than they should be, and the frame cannot have anything more in it than the performer's faces to fill it. Only the street scenes near the barrier are larger. If you expect it to be the play, you'll do fine. Expect it to be a film, and you may feel it be a bit flat. I did, however, enjoy it well.

I'm glad I'm not as deaf as I thought I was.

I saw the original stage production when I was in London in 1986.It was very impressive with all the stage changes. I dont know if I'll go to see the movie. I sat next to a mother whose child was in the production

He was the weakest singer of the lot... definitely NOT what I expected from Javert!

Overall, a great movie...

Biggest thrill - seeing Colm Wilkinson, my favorite tenor (I have seen him live twice).

From one never who never saw a stage production, I thought Crowes singing - although not the best of the cast - I thought it fit his character quite well.

It was heartfelt and sad. Especially on the bridge. He was after all contemplating suicide. He was distraught when he realized Jean Valjean was the better man.
He was no longer powerful.

Just my take...

I had never seen the stage production. I saw the film on New Years and loved it! I've also read the novel several times and now want to return to it again. Of course, the novel is far, far more nuanced, and there's a lot more on how the individual stories tie into France's political situation.

Russell's answer to Adam Lambert's scathing take on his singing was:

"I don't disagree with Adam, sure it could have been sweetened, Hooper wanted it raw and real, that's how it is."

And it makes even more sense. It's much like Anne Hathaway's I Dreamed a Dream, very raw. Her song is more powerful, likely because it's more relatable. At least, more of us can relate to her than to Javert, likely. It would make his song more powerful if I could relate to his moral dilemma. Can't say that I've been faced with, doing something "bad" may come from someone good, and doing something "good" can still be a bad thing, even from someone who meant well. Not that I am perfect, I just have spent life helping, not locking people up?? Dunno, but I didn't relate to him as much. Nonetheless, I like his songs, in their pure form.

Adam Lambert?? haha.

Yea Adam, but he wasn't the only one. Rusty's explanation to him made it make sense. I wonder if he'll answer all of his critics?

My daughter SIL and grandson have see Les Miz three times on stage including Broadway. They saw the movie Sunday and LOVED it except for Russel Crowe. I saw the movie the night before and had never seen it on stage, and I agreed with them . I did love the movie and all the performances except Crowe's singing. His acting was fine.

"At least, more of us can relate to her than to Javert, likely"

Really?
Not me, that's for sure.

The only thing about the film I was disappointed in was, well, they could have used more film techniques than they did. Too many close close close ups. I swear, in the Empty Chairs number, Marius had 23 nose hairs. Because it was a film, they could have put ghosts in the chairs, they could have done alot of things. All in all, I LOVED it. Bawled during "I dreamed a dream" and I wasn't the only one. At the end, there's was alot of sniffling going on throught the theater

Adam bitter table for one......

RC is an actor, not a professional singer. I haven't seen the movie but I would like to. A friend highly recommended it to me.

LuAnn, I was thinking back on other movies. It's a theme I've seen before, unmet dreams we make when we're younger (a couple off the top of my head, 13 Going on 30, Mr. Deeds. There are more). But his theme? I can't think of one book, movie, etc. where that was the conflict. Or maybe it just doens't speak to me. I could be totally wrong. I admit, it hits home with me, and I did say "most of us". I can't see anyone relating to the Therniers. And if they did, would they admit it? Maybe to be being comic relief, but not really like that.

Did you relate to anyone in the play/movie/book?

Here's a video someone made of her parents' reaction to the movie. It's very short.

Click here

I agree mostly with Salgal, although I have see it on stage a few times....I absolutely loved the movie, thought all the actors did a great job and would highly recommend it to everyone....
Not often you get to sit through a whole movie and not hear the 4 letter word and also not be embarrassed with nudity and sex.......
I loved it!

Saw this movie this afternoon and thought it was good and definitely a tear jerker. I'm used to the older movie versions (not based on the Broadway play) but enjoyed it all the same. I have never read the book, is the ending the same as in the movie I saw today? The older movies end quite differently and all in the same manner.

As far as the actors' singing - I thought they all did great. However, I've never seen the Broadway musical only the 25th. Les Miserable Anniversary special once on PBS so am not that familiar with the music. "I Dreamed a Dream" is the only song I recognized, and Ann Hathaway did an amazing job. :(

I'm glad to see no one has complained about the movie being too long. I promised a friend I'd go with her, and I was a little concerned about the length. I'd rather watch nudity and sex, and listen to harsh language, than be forced to sit through a l-o-n-g movie.

I thought it was too long, and was very bored during the whole middle of it. It just seemed to go on forever. And I hated the extreme closeups of the actors. Loved the makeup, made me want to go home and brush my teeth a thousand times. Thought Anne H. was fab.

I saw the movie last night. I, too, felt it was too long--although since it was originally a play, they probably couldn't shorten it without leave out a song or two.

Ir was an experience; that's the best way I can put it. I was concerned that the plot would be hard to follow since there's no dialog, but it was easy. It's like an opera, with dialogue sung in between the arias. Except opera singers are expected to display fabulous technique. In this movie they concentrated more on conveying emotion, and they did a magnificent job. I've heard "I Dreamed a Dream" so many times, and yet never fully took in the lyrics until Ann Hathaway's performance. It just about did me in. It's very difficult to sing while crying, and so many actors pulled it off in this movie.

I think the actors who were able to sing their best notes were the group of young revolutionaries. Love those production numbers!

I thought Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter were a hoot. It was good to have a little comic relief.

In the beginning of the movie I thought, too much misery. If I'd been by myself I might have walked. But then I got more into it. I watched the story unfold with alternating periods of trying to read my watch and then being caught up in one of the excellent scenes. So I can't say I really loved the movie, but I admire those who made it. And I'm glad I saw it.

Yes, lots of misery, but at least Victor Hugo warns you by naming his work "The Miserable Ones"! But there's lots of redeeming mercy, too. Misery and mercy come from the same linguistic root, and Hugo's title reflects this.

On another but related note I recently finished a much "lighter" book than "Les Miserables": "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," by Mary Ann Shaffer. I recommend it! I got interested in the island of Guernsey (which sounds delightful) and was intrigued to discover that Hugo wrote "Les Miserables" there.

I'm glad to see I am not the only one who found it too long, and I have a hard time staying interested in a plot when I know how it unfolds in advance, no surprise. It was entertaining for me, but not captivating or emotional.