THE 1998 MOVIE
This is the most recent version of the story. I rented it once it came out on video, and after reading all the reviews, I was actually pleasantly surprised for the most part. Liam Neeson makes a great Valjean, and Geoffrey Rush worked for me as Javert for the most part. My main problems with it are, of course, plot-related…first of all, Valjean would *never* hit Cosette!! That upset me just a little. Also, I really dislike when they make Marius the student leader…it’s totally against his character! There is no Enjolras or Eponine in this version, and the Thenardiers have a limited role. Also, Cosette and Valjean tell each other about their secrets (Cosette about Marius, and Valjean about his past) *before* the barricades. Which changes the story quite a bit.
I’m not sure what I thought of the ending…my mother liked it, as Valjean walked away, she said it looked as though he were tasting freedom for the first time in nearly all his life. I saw that too, but I also think it’s unlike him to be smiling after just watching Javert commit suicide. In any case, it is a decent movie, and definitely worth a watch if you’re a fan of the story!
To find out more about this particular movie, visit the Official Site.
Directed by: Bille August
Writing credits:
Victor Hugo (novel)
Rafael Yglesias
Credited cast overview:
Liam Neeson …. Valjean
Geoffrey Rush …. Javert
Uma Thurman …. Fantine
Claire Danes …. Cosette
Hans Matheson …. Marius
Reine Brynolfsson …. Captain Beauvais
Peter Vaughan …. Bishop
Mimi Newman …. Cosette (age 8)
Christopher Adamson …. Bertin
Tim Barlow …. Lafitte
Lennie James …. Enjolras
Daniela Krutinova
John McGlynn …. Carnot