Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Ring out the bells upon this day of days!

Les Miserables fans, the beating of your hearts is now going to echo the beating of the drums.

Because the first teaser for the upcoming Les Miz movie has just been released.

Let that sink in for a minute--no, don't bother.  Just do what I did: watch the video, burst into tears, leap up and do a happy dance around the room (YES I DID) and then watch the video over and over again.  Lather, rinse and repeat.



Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring when tomorrow comes!

Following Elise's example over at Ribbons of Light, here's a shot-by-shot breakdown of the trailer. Hopefully this will be helpful to those of you who aren't too familiar with the musical.  Yes, Millicent, I'm looking at you.

0:12- Countryside with some snow, a lone figure walking in the background.  I'm guessing this is "What Have I Done?" aka "Valjean's Soliloquy," right after the bishop gives Valjean the candlesticks.
0:13- She might not be Lea Salonga, but Anne Hathaway's voice is far more promising than I'd hoped for--she sounds broken and defeated, which is what Fantine is supposed to be.
0:17- Definitely "Valjean's Soliloquy".  Another story must begiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!
0:19- First glimpse of Russell Crowe as Javert! YES! Excellent, excellent.
0:21- Anne Hathaway as Fantine... eep, that dress could rival Marguerite's as far as the whole you-forgot-your-lace thing... but she looks so sad and pathetic.  I sound morbid, but it's perfect.
0:25- I'm guessing this is "Look Down".  Is Gavroche in that crowd of kids?
0:26- This looks like a jail door opening. I'm not sure what it might be.
0:28- Little Cosette! Awww, I just want to pick her up and hug her.
0:31- The factory in Montfermeil, "At the End of the Day."
0:32- Ooh, Little Blue Riding Hood.
0:36- "Valjean's Soliloquy" again, I'm guessing.  The church reminds me of the one in Sound of Music.
0:39- "Prologue/Work Song."  WOWWWWWWW.  This was where I really started bawling.
0:43- Jean Valjean as mayor of Montfermeil, probably.
0:45- JAVERT, peoples.  If Russell Crowe can do justice to "Stars", Philip Quast will have to move down from the Top Javert Spot on my list.
0:46- "Fantine's Arrest", in all likelihood.  I'm not one for dark, depressing movies, but I must say that the setting looks great for this kind of story.  Stage scenery can't fully capture the look of Paris' poorest districts the way a movie set can.
0: 50- The wedding--and Amanda Seyfried's Cosette is looking so promising! If only she can handle "A Heart Full of Love"...
0:52- THE BARRICADE.  Just WOW.  Again, so much better than any stage could ever do.  Red, the blood of angry men... Where is Enjolras, where is Enjolras?
0:56- Eddie Redmayne as Marius! Calm yourselves, ladies, at least it's not Nick Jonas.  We can be grateful for this at least.  (Actually, his voice is pretty good, all things considered.)
0:57- Valjean coming to rescue Cosette from the Thenardiers? Yep, definitely.  Awww, she's so precious!
1:00- Hmmm, this is unmistakably "Lovely Ladies."  This will be the exit-the-theater-for-a-bathroom-break scene. :P
1:03- Fantine sells her hair for her little girl and Amy completely loses it.
1:05- I'm LOVING this version of IDAD!  Sure, it's not as lovely as Lea Salonga's, but the pathos, the heartbreak... yep, I'm hooked.
1:07- Ooh, Javert and his men are on the prowl.  Could this be "The Robbery/Javert's Intervention"?
1:08- Valjean and Little Cosette again.  I'm thinking this is "Suddenly," the new song Claude-Michel Schonberg wrote for the film.
1:09- Marius and Cosette do the whole love-at-first-eye-contact thing.  Ooh, her dress is like the one in the musical! At least they're preserving SOME of the original costumes... *wipes away tears at the loss of Enjo's Red Vest of Power and Awesomeness*
1:12- Let's hear it for Samantha Barks!  Could this be "On My Own?"  No, she's not dressed as a boy, so perhaps it's the part where she goes to find Cosette for Marius ("Eponine's Errand").  I might add that that's not a little fall of rain--that's a downpour.
1:14- "Stars," maybe? Oh, for a tiny snippet of the song itself...
1:16- Jean Valjean again, looking a bit more respectable than in the opening shots, but not quite well-to-do.  Maybe this is "Who Am I?"
1:18- Fantine again.
1:31- Yes.  Yes it does.  All I want for Christmas...

Are you sobbing yet?
More importantly, do you plan to see the movie when it comes out? December 14th in the U.S... am I the only one counting down the days?

20 comments:

Livia Rachelle said...

I haven't read the book and am unfamiliar with the story. I have a sort of idea/commitment to read the full, unabridged novel in the few weeks in August before I start the fall term, but we will see.

Lydia said...

i did the play Les Mis..and found out then (last year) that they were making a movie of it with all the songs.....i too have been counting down the days and just last night i was thinking how i couldn't wait to see the trailer!!!!!!! o happy day!

ashley tahg said...

Ok. I'm going to read the book. Calling the library. Now.

Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm said...

Yay!!!!! Yay!!!! Excuse me while I jump up and down! :)

So yesterday I was looking at lovely production photos and realizing that this is such an exciting time to be a new fan of Les Miz! Now today, a trailer and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be right in the thick of it! :)

Your title actually made sense to me and I've only heard that song a few times, wow! :)

I loved your breakdown!
Anne Hathaway isn't as bad as I thought she'd be in the role. It is nice that they actually cut her hair during the film to really show how much she sacrificed for Cosette. I'm quite disliking her low cut dress. I've heard her sing before and she does have a nice voice and her version of the song is quite heart-wrenching!

Hugh Jackman is actually looking quite amazing as Valjean, and I've heard him sing a few times and his voice is very good. I love the clips of him rescuing Cosette!

Russell Crowe sings? I wondered if they might dub over for him but he must be able to sing to be cast in the role. I hope his "Stars" and "The Confrontation" are up to snuff! hehe :)

Cosette and Marius look interesting. I actually like the look of Eddie Redmayne as Marius, a lot better than Nick Jonas's half sick looks! hehe :)

Yay! It's Samantha Barks! I was so happy when I found out yesterday that she had been cast in the role for the film! Love your comment about that not being just "A Little Fall of Rain--that's a downpour"! :)

A new song added? That should be interesting...hope it doesn't sound out of place with the rest of the music. But it will be nice to have something to show more of Cosette growing up maybe?

What to you mean Enjolras won't have his "red vest of power and awesomeness"?!?!?! Wow, that will be awful!

How I wish they showed the Tenardiers, Enjolras and Gavroche! And I was a bit disappointed that this trailer only had 'I Dreamed A Dream' on it but probably the next trailer will have clips of the various songs.

This trailer is amazing! Thanks for posting it and breaking it down for us! Can't wait for December now! :)

Alexandra said...

SCREAAAAMMMMM is all I can say. I sobbed. My mom saw the Fantine-cutting-her-hair part and was like, OMS, I don't know if I can get through that!!! Anne exceeded my expectations voice-wise. Everyone looks awesome (I have a feeling Eddie will convert me despite his less-than-amazing looks. :-P Even Hugh looks great. And Samantha and Amanda both look a million times better than I anticipated. SOOOO EXCITED. ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love Fantine. The end.

Anonymous said...

HYPERVENTILATING. CANNOT STOP WATCHING THAT TRAILER. WILL NEVER STOP UNTIL DECEMBER 14.

Abby said...

Despite being not as familiar with the story as I would like to be(at the moment!), this looks simply wonderful! It makes me want to cry and dance and sing and then cry some more! :D And also attempt the book again...I got about 50 pages in and gave up!

Some of the casting made me wonder if I was going to enjoy it, but I'm really impressed :) Especially Anne Hatheway, from what we get to see here. This is going to be on repeat all afternoon now!

~Abby

Lauren | Chic Éthique said...

I am SO, So excited for this! It really looks perfect. I nearly cried just in the trailer. I can not wait. This is going to be wonderful. Did I mention I'm excited?

Stephanie said...

At the risk of being shunned forever from your blog, I will say I've never seen LM. But I certainly plan to now!! Oh my goodness I have goosebumps from this teaser!

(Plus I have this HUGE crush on Hugh Jackman, so when I saw the video paused, with his handsome face taking up the screen, well, I knew I'd need to go see this one right away) And, Anne Hathaway's voice is amazing! I can hear the pure emotion.

Elizabeth said...

OH.MY.WORD!!!!! I cannot WAIT until I'm old enough to see the movie!!!! I am on the edge of my seat in anxiousness!

Melody said...

One question. Would you be this excited about a new Jane Austen adaptation? *raises one eyebrow*

Ooooooooohhh.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my STARS!!! (No pun intended...)

Okay, so I can't decide if I like her voice.... : P Just shun me now. And I didn't know Anne Hathaway could sing! I guess I'll decide when I watch more videos. (lol - it sounds like she says, "Now a life has killed A dream I dreamed" instead of THE dream I dreamed." Maybe it's just me...)

Anyway, I'm LOVING everything else. Love, love, LOVE!! And it's a MOVIE! To watch over and over and over! Yahoo! Me thinks I'm going to like it.

All of the faces look about right for the parts - except Marius, who I just *can't* see as a blonde. Where's Enjolras?! And Gavroche - hope he has a really, REALLY big part because I LOVED him. (And I hope can sing and die well.)

All of the clips from songs looked REALLY cool - thanks for your frame-by-frame analysis!

"Valjean's Soliloquy"! Yes!! I'm SOOOOO looking forward to that!!!

*cough* Uh, Anne... uh, you're missing half of your dress. Wardrobe must have overlooked a little something!

Awww... cutie pie Little Cosette! I bet she'll do better than the girl who played her in the version we saw... she didn't do very well. : ) Looking forward to cute kids!!!

Ooh, REAL WATER in "Prologue"!! YES!!! Wow. I didn't cry, but I don't know if I'll make it through it in the theaters. : P

Oh, and Valjean and Cosette. That's love at first sight. Can't wait!

Samantha Barks! Ooh! I'm going to look her up as soon as I can to hear her sing! (Except it's not once more... lol, soary. Wrong musical!) And I agree with you - that is *not* a little fall of rain. Talk about downpour!

Hmm... I don't think that's "Stars," unless they moved it from the bridge. Sadness! (Then it's not even "Stars" anymore. Let's hope it's not and that he sings it on a bridge!!! [And CAN sing...])

Wow. I'm SOO mad that it comes out the same day as The Hobbit. But I'll STILL GO SEE IT!! It'll be my first time going to see a movie two days in a row - the closest span of time between my visits to the movie theater is, like, three months. Yup, we don't go very often. (Partially because *cough* there's not much to see... But that doesn't have anything to do with Les Miz....)

My sister probably isn't going to see it in the theater, but I most likely will. Just, ahem, use some pretty strategic bathroom breaks. : D

Thanks SO much for posting it! i wouldn't have seen it otherwise!!!
Eowyn

Jujube said...

Oh my word! When I saw that trailer yesterday, it totally made my day! It made me scream and bawl and want to cry literally. I had to watch it over and over again just to convince myself it was real! And throughout the day, my siblings and I started singing the Les Miserables repertoire. The movie looks like it's going to be so, so, so good!

So now, there's nothing left for me to say. But you can be sure that when the movie comes out, and when I watch it, I will never shut up. I don't think any of us will.

Rachel Heffington said...

I am so excited about this! I totally had to eat my words about Anne Hathaway-is-going-to-be-terrible-as-Fantine because now I think it'll be marvelous. :D
I have to confess, though, to always thinking of Javert as looking like that Russian Army Captain in Fiddler on the Roof. :P :D
Oh the barricade!!!! I got chills as I saw that. *so* *stinkin* *perfect*. I cannot wait for this movie. That's all.

Isabel said...

Oh my goodness, I'm so EXCITED!! Also, Anne Hathaway
has a pretty voice. I didn't know she could sing, so I was pleasantly surprised. I can't wait for December!

Jessica said...

Alexandra, your mom and I feel the same about the disturbing hair scene! Ha I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who was scared off by that scene in the trailor! Makes me feel so much better about myself. ;-)

jillian n. said...

I haven't' read the book. I haven't seen the play. And I am dreadfully unfamiliar with story. But then you posted this, and I've watched it 46 (give or take, mostly give) times since. Wow. I'm officially hooked! And I had no idea Anne could sing like that. As you said, her IDAD is not as lovely as Lea's, but it has so much more emotion in it...my heart is breaking! Gack. I love it. Lovelovelove it.

~Nessiam of Arda Nessimava

Anonymous said...

Just watched the trailer again (for the umpteenth time, lol!), and saw a website at the end of the trailer for the first time! www.lesmiserablesfilm.com has a lot of pictures that I haven't seen yet! No new trailers or anything, but I'm guessing that's where they'll be next.

Eowyn

Christine said...

Have you read the book?

I have not seen the musical or watched a film adaptation of Les Misérables, but having read (and loved) the complete, unabridged book twice, I have a really hard time imagining that a movie/musical can even come close to doing the book justice. Especially after reading the musical's description on wiki. It sounds like the musical is a combination of 50% Schönberg's fabrication and 50% is Victor Hugo's masterpiece.

I may be wrong, but I think I would have a hard time enjoying this new adaptation (if I watched it). Fantine was supposed to be extremely blonde, Cosette was supposed to be the one to have chestnut hair, and Fantine sold her two front teeth as well as her hair, to raise money to give the Thénardiers.

Well, that is my rant; I hope your not to mad at me, but I strongly encourage anyone to who has not read Les Misérables, to do so, it is an incredibly rich book, (even the chapters on the Battle of Waterloo and the Paris Sewers!)

Christine

Miss Dashwood said...

Thanks, everyone, for your lovely comments! Sorry I haven't been able to reply to them all-- I've been CRAZY busy this week!

Christine,
Thanks for commenting! I have indeed read the book, and hope to read it again this summer. I would strongly encourage you to watch the musical--don't pay attention to the Wikipedia summary! :D

The musical does leave some things out (Marius' backstory especially, with his grandfather, his father, etc.) and changes some minor details (like Fantine's teeth and hair color--though in the original staging she WAS blonde) but overall it is incredibly faithful to the novel. And frankly, there are some parts in which I prefer the musical's take on things. Enjolras' death for instance--in the book, as you know, he gets captured and executed by a group of soldiers, but in the musical he's shot down from the top of the barricade. Which, IMHO, is more fitting and at least a little less "OH NO THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING" than the book's event is. :D

And the music.... ohhh, all I can say is, please come back here this week so you can read more about it. (There will be a playlist on my sidebar with the music from the play... it's phenomenal.)

I wasn't mad at all and you don't need to apologize for "ranting"-- I adore long, debate-worthy comments, so thanks for leaving one and making my day! :)