In Review: Les Miserables

How do you bring a beloved 150-year-old story that inspired the world’s longest-running musical (seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and 21 languages) to the big screen? And, perhaps even more important, why?
There have been at least seven movie adaptations of Victor Hugo’s classic novel over the years, but this is the first rendition of the world-renown musical that first debuted in London in 1985. It has all the heart-tugging songs (“I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” and the rest), and is told almost entirely in song – all performed live, as opposed to the track recordings employed by most movie musicals. This Les Miserables also has impressive star power – Oscar- and Tony-award winners topping the credits list.