Les Miserables is an amazing story about the courage and honor of a man in constant struggles with another man of an opposing force. Liam Neeson plays Jean Valjean, a convict who over twenty years is challenged by the Prefect Inspector, Geoffrey Rush. The constant dynamic of good versus evil continues throughout the movie and even to the end through our two main characters we are surprised by each’s actions.
The story begins with Jean needing food and shelter outside a Church. The Charitable Bishop feeds him and gives him a place to sleep and is repaid by Jean’s stealing the silver and trying to run away. He is caught and brought back to the Church and the Bishop tells the police that he did not steal the silverware and tells Jean that he forgot to take the Silver Candlesticks. He can get another 2, 000 Francs and that should buy his soul. From now on he is to be a good man and gives Jean ’’back to God’’.
Jean proves his worth, fulfills his promise to the Bishop and becomes rich and good-spirited. He owns a factory, is a king employer and tries to live a decent life. He is also charitable and shows this by sending money every month to the Church in the memory of the Bishop who has since passed away, eight years ago. Jean is also the Mayor of the town.
Geoffrey Rush, Prefect Inspector, comes to the small town where he reports for duty to The Mayor and immediately Jean recognizes the Inspector from his days when he was imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. The Inspector, later recognizes the Mayor for who he really is and from that time on is dedicated in capturing Jean Valjean.
During Jean’s time as the Mayor and owner of the factory, he befriends Fantine, Uma Thurman, who is fired from his factory for having an illigitimate child (and a poor example to the other ladies), sick with Pneumonia and penniless. Jean learns what happened to her and promises to care for her young daughter, played by Clare Danes, upon Fantine’s imminent death.
Not long after their very narrow escape and life in a Convent where Jean works as a Gardener and his ’’daughter’’ a student, the two are living in Paris when she falls in love with a young proponent for the Revolution. The Inspector once again is close by and learns of Jean’s true identity but is captured by the Revolution (The Repulic as they are called) where Jean has a chance to avenge himself and rid himself of the albatross around his neck. Consistant with his good character, Jean lets the Prefect go. The Prefect tells Jean that he should kill him where he stands because it is nature to seek Jean and bring him in to justice. He too, has an albatross to bear.
In the final scene and confrontation, Marius is captured by the Inspector and Jean promises to exchange his own life for the life of Marius, Closettes true love. Then comes yet another faceoff with his nemesis. What happens next is yet to be revealed. My relay of the story ends here. You must watch this story unfold and be surprised by the finale.
This was one of the most wonderful stories that I have seen in a long time and I was reminded of Charles Dickens’ A tale of Two Cities. This story, however, was written by Victor Hugo. The costumes, accents the cinematography was top notch. The acting was superb by all. The story follows the book, but I do have to say the book is still favored, only because this story is so great and ones imagination is always paramount to the action of the screen.