Les Miserables

PG-13

Released May 1, 1998

2 hr. 11 min.

History

Drama

TRAILER

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List

75%

44 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After serving a lengthy prison sentence, Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson) turns his life around after an act of kindness opens his eyes, becoming a beloved mayor of a French town. A policeman, Javert (Geoffrey Rush), who was a prison guard when Valjean was locked up, has a vendetta against him and tries to denounce him as a criminal despite a lack of evidence. Spanning several decades, the story of Javert and Valjean's rivalry is set against the backdrop of post-Revolution French society.

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Critics Consensus

This intelligent, handsomely crafted adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel condenses the story's developments without blunting its emotional impact.

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Lanfranco C

A good Summary of a great Novel.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/03/24

Full Review

Jelisije J

An adaption that focuses on the main character of the book adaption rather than the french revolution (which is basically ignored).

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/08/23

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Audience Member

Remains truly unrivaled as the strongest film adaptation of the acclaimed French book. The screenwriter and director balance the strengths of the story with the medium of cinema wonderfully.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The peak of Liam Neeson's acting (don't get me wrong he's a fine actor, barring all of the phoning it in he does in his recent action movies, but I can't think of a more affecting performance in his career). As another user pointed out, this movie is one of the, if not THE, most poignant portraits of law vs. mercy. Geoffrey Rush is the embodiment of justice without mercy. The second half of the movie drags a bit and is served much better in the stage play (Claire Danes is ok, but is more of a utility to the story than a moving force in her own right), but the first half and the climax are thought-provoking and moving as you see a man who simply and earnestly seeks to make good of the new life he's been given but is pursued his past. I don't know why the critics score isn't higher; similar to The Count of Monte Cristo both movies perfectly and succinctly capture the essence of their source material with brilliant and memorable performances, but the critics seem to fixate on their shortcomings in spite of their remarkable triumphs. I love how ValJean is a quiet blessing to all the people who are tangentially connected to him humbly navigates his second chance at life. From his effect on the town in he presides over to redemption of Cosette from the conniving Thenardie's, you wish that Inspector Javert could pull back and gain the perspective of the audience and be convinced to relent from his quest to fulfill the law. I can't recommend this movie enough.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

steve d

The happy ending is a bit odd (at least compared to the book), but the rest of it is fantastic.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I can only thank those involved in the creative decision to use a continuous soundtrack in this movie; otherwise my cry might have been heard by more than just those in the immediate vicinity. Without thinking, Les Misérables, translated as 'The Miserable Ones', is more or less what it says in the name, feeling like I've been hit by a train several times, and some handkerchiefs have also gone through me. But I feel that the key point with Les Mis is that it was not miserable for the sake of misery. In half an hour, the depth and the three-dimensional nature of each character had already entered my heart and that is why, if you do not mind that your heart is ripped out and trampled, you should go see Les Mis.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Bille August

Director

Liam Neeson

Valjean

Geoffrey Rush

Javert

Uma Thurman

Fantine

Claire Danes

Cosette

Hans Matheson

Marius

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Les Miserables: Trailer 1

2:27

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Without a doubt the most emotionally powerful and handsomely mounted production of the story yet.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 24, 2002

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

Rarely does the quality rise to feel particularly striking or transcendent, but to criticise that too much would be to punish the film for simply being really quite good instead of exceptional.

Rated: 7/10

Jan 23, 2021

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Neeson's is an outstanding, memorable Jean Valjean who does a mighty job of anchoring this film and keeping its drama earthy and humane.

Rated: 6/10

Jan 27, 2013

Full Review

David Poland

Movie City News

I feel like saying I hate this movie. I really don't. I was just bored out of my mind by its lack of anything real.

Dec 6, 2012

Full Review

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Synopsis

After serving a lengthy prison sentence, Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson) turns his life around after an act of kindness opens his eyes, becoming a beloved mayor of a French town. A policeman, Javert (Geoffrey Rush), who was a prison guard when Valjean was locked up, has a vendetta against him and tries to denounce him as a criminal despite a lack of evidence. Spanning several decades, the story of Javert and Valjean's rivalry is set against the backdrop of post-Revolution French society.

Director: Bille August
Screenwriter: Rafael Yglesias
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Mandalay Entertainment, TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 1, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.9M
Sound Mix: Surround

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