Les Miserables - Promotion and Publicity

[jo]

Thanks, Alicia

When he sings the first part of One Day More - is he leaning on a cane? But if he is using a cane ( because Valjean has aged) - he certainly did not do so when he was helping the rebels in their barricade.

Btw, "GIF" has been voted as word of the year ;D

Jo

[Jamie]

Men of that era often carried canes whether infirm or not - They were used for walking and as a defensive weapon in addition to being a fashion statement and class indicator.

[mamaleh]

Alicia, great GIFs! Thanks.

As to canes, yes, most gentlemen used "walking sticks" to indicate their place in the upper stratum.

Ellen

[birchie]

Nov 17, 2012 2:15:32 GMT -5 jo said:

Thanks, Alicia

When he sings the first part of One Day More - is he leaning on a cane? But if he is using a cane ( because Valjean has aged) - he certainly did not do so when he was helping the rebels in their barricade.

Btw, "GIF" has been voted as word of the year ;D

Jo

I was just about to answer this but I see that others have already done it so I'll just say...Hi!!
Sue

[jo]

But in the novel, M le Maire was never a dandy - he actually dressed rather simply and unobtrusively. As if he never wanted to be noticed.

I guess costume designer Paco Delgado was a little effusive with his visual representation of how Valjean should look ( Valjean looked great wearing that coat and hat while carrying Cosette in the Leibovitz photoshoot)...

It is just that I thought carrying a fashion cane while hurriedly trying to get away from Paris with the thought of a pursuing Javert would seem a little inconsistent.

LOL - I am arguing over such a little detail ;D

Jo

[wildfire]

He is in a carriage in that scene.

[jo]

Yes, hurriedly on the way out of Paris to Calais to escape what he thought was another attempt by Valjean to catch him.

Jo

[birchie]

Nov 17, 2012 18:30:32 GMT -5 jo said:

But in the novel, M le Maire was never a dandy - he actually dressed rather simply and unobtrusively. As if he never wanted to be noticed.

I guess costume designer Paco Delgado was a little effusive with his visual representation of how Valjean should look ( Valjean looked great wearing that coat and hat while carrying Cosette in the Leibovitz photoshoot)...

It is just that I thought carrying a fashion cane while hurriedly trying to get away from Paris with the thought of a pursuing Javert would seem a little inconsistent.

LOL - I am arguing over such a little detail ;D

Jo

It's actually Monsieur Fauchelevent who sings One Day More. But you are right neither he or Monsieur Madeleine dressed particularly posh. I believe that Monsieur Fauchelevent did wear better clothes on occasion and wore more "street clothes" when he was walking around the streets giving alms to the poor. I suppose the cane could just be to indicate that he's getting a little older an not necessarily a posh accessory. I love the look when he rescues little Cosette too!

It seems in the screenplay that they do try to give attention to the fact that JVJ lives quite simply despite of his wealth....

SPOILER BELOW!


In the scenes leading up to One Day More they show him going from Cosette's very posh rooms to his little shabby room at the back of the house. Very much like the book.
Sue

[jo]

I guess for the sake of brevity, the screenplay ( nor the book of the stage musical) did not dwell on his having occasionally borrowed the name of M Fauchelevent. But he did live and dress in an austere manner, except when he would wear the uniform of the National Guard of which he was a regular member.

What was interesting in the book was the extent to which he tried to escape detection by renting three rooms/apartments. I wonder if it was one of these rooms where he ultimately lived when he left Cosette in the care of Marius...and decided to live his last days? I think I need to re-read that part.

Jo

[birchie]

Nov 18, 2012 16:36:22 GMT -5 jo said:

I guess for the sake of brevity, the screenplay ( nor the book of the stage musical) did not dwell on his having occasionally borrowed the name of M Fauchelevent. But he did live and dress in an austere manner, except when he would wear the uniform of the National Guard of which he was a regular member.

What was interesting in the book was the extent to which he tried to escape detection by renting three rooms/apartments. I wonder if it was one of these rooms where he ultimately lived when he left Cosette in the care of Marius...and decided to live his last days? I think I need to re-read that part.

Jo

In the book he spends his final days at the house at Rue de L'Homme Armé. He actually owned all three residences he used in Paris. Not a man to take any chances. Most of their time in Paris was spent at Rue Plumet. Not sure how much the text below is spoilers but anyone who hasn't read either the book or the screenplay should skip the rest if you don't want to know more.



SPOILER!



Rue de L'Homme Armé is where they go (in the carriage) before the rebellion and where JVJ leaves to go to the barricade. Also, in the screenplay it's actually the convent that he ultimately retreats to in his final days (epilogue) which will look beautiful in the movie.
Sue

[jo]

SPOILER***SPOILER***SPOILER


That's right -- there was a scene on the trailer where Cosette ( in what looks like her wedding dress) is running through a corridor and there seemed to be a nun hovering.

If I remember right, that scene where Valjean sings the reprise of Bring Him Home as ge lay dying was tweeted by someone as something that brought chills for its beauty. This was midway through shooting , I guess so they can let Anne leave the filming. It was filmed at the Cloisters of Winchester College.

Jo

[Jamie]

Strangely enough I was just rereading the deathbed section today when my I-Tunes shuffle started playing the "Epilogue" - Instant dissolve into weeping. It is going to be wonderful to see the visuals, but I'm definitely bringing the hankies.

[birchie]

Nov 18, 2012 19:54:27 GMT -5 Jamie said:

Strangely enough I was just rereading the deathbed section today when my I-Tunes shuffle started playing the "Epilogue" - Instant dissolve into weeping. It is going to be wonderful to see the visuals, but I'm definitely bringing the hankies.

Was that a coincidence? Oh my I would have been one big puddle if that happened! Were you reading the book or the screenplay? That scene is equally good in both, I think. I cried for both anyway. :'(

[birchie]

Nov 18, 2012 18:33:22 GMT -5 jo said:

SPOILER***SPOILER***SPOILER


That's right -- there was a scene on the trailer where Cosette ( in what looks like her wedding dress) is running through a corridor and there seemed to be a nun hovering.

If I remember right, that scene where Valjean sings the reprise of Bring Him Home as ge lay dying was tweeted by someone as something that brought chills for its beauty. This was midway through shooting , I guess so they can let Anne leave the filming. It was filmed at the Cloisters of Winchester College.

Jo

Right, they did all the scenes with Fantine early on, before they moved into Pinewood. It seems like a beautiful setting. We've seen glimpses of Anne at his side with all the candles glowing. Should be beautiful to watch the whole thing in the movie.
Sue

[ocjackie]

Four weeks, six days and counting >

[Jamie]

I'm reading the whole book again, but at that moment I was reading the screenplay because I wanted to look up the lyrics to Suddenly because my son and I had been discussing possible Oscar nominated songs. Anyway, just went to the end and the music started playing and I started dripping.

[jo]

New TV spot shown in Australia --

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5IwQCneMmU

Basically similar to earlier spots, but --

*New shots of Valjean ( it looks like his voice is soars a little more with " One Day Morrrrrrre!!, but it can hardly be heard...being accosted by the rebels...but scenes from earlier ads, such as those with Cosette and voice overlay " Don't worry, I will take care of you") and

*New shots of Javert ( shouting " Valjeannnn!!" and Mme Thenardier.

*Voila -- no I Dreamed A Dream


It premieres in Australia on December 21 and opens on December 26 ( Boxing Day)!


Jo

[jo]

Finally, outdoor advertising -- and huge ones!

On Broadway and Times Square -- where else ;D

[mamaleh]

From that angle, at least, it looks as though Anne Hathaway is still the primary star of LES MIZ. Gorgeous billboard, though.

Ellen

[jo]

I wonder what people not familiar with Les Miserables will think when they realize that she is only in the early part of the storyline

Jo

[jo]

According to many IMDB posters, there are already ticket alerts on Fandango and Movieticket -- you may want to check your areas for theater listings?

Jo (needs GREEN smiley)

[jo]

news.moviefone.com/2012/11/20/les-miserables-unscripted_n_2166946.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

Have you ever dreamed a dream of asking Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman a question? Well, you're in luck. Next month, the two stars will be sitting down for Moviefone's next edition of Unscripted, to promote their upcoming film, "Les Miserables."

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo (by way of the stage musical), "Les Mis" is coming to the big screen once again, this time with Hathaway, Jackman and Russell Crowe in tow. The film follows several characters in 19th-century France, with the story mainly revolving around recently paroled prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), as he attempts to seek redemption for his past crimes.

Although we're still more than a month away from the release, "Les Miserables" has already gotten a ton of Oscar buzz, with rumored nods for Best Picture, Director and Actress. (With Academy Award-winning director Tom Hooper at the helm, those odds have certainly increased.)

So! For all you "Les Mis" fans out there, you get to ask the film's two biggest stars anything you want about the movie before it hits theaters. You have until November 29 at 1 p.m. EDT to submit questions. You can leave your queries in the comments below, on our Facebook page or on Twitter. Head back to Moviefone on December 17 to see the whole thing.

"Les Miserables," starring Hathaway, Jackman and Crowe, sings its way into theaters on Christmas Day.

Must be a fan of Hathaway

Jo

[karppool]

If you have a moment, go to deadline.com and post a reply to the naysayers that think Hooper's approach, and the musical abilites of the cast, will ruin Les Mis. I've already posted 2 comments (not using my Ozalot user name). :-/

[jo]

Interviews with EW -- Hugh and Anne.

insidemovies.ew.com/2012/11/21/les-miserables-hugh-jackman-anne-hathaway-2/2/

Here's the Hugh part --



Quote:

After watching the rough cut of Les Miserables, I found myself walking out of the theater and asking: What the hell to I contribute to the world?

Hugh Jackman: [Laughs.] Yeah! I found that after reading the book. I felt, ‘Wow, I’m not really measuring up here at all.’ I will never ever complain about the weather again.


Everyone in the movie sings live instead of lip-synching to pre-recorded songs. [NOTE: Check out the video above for more details on this technique.] It’s not how movie musicals are normally done, so did you start with something easy to warm up?

No, one of my biggest songs was on the first day, which was probably a good idea. It was the soliloquy at the beginning [“What Have I Done,”] which is a very emotional song, and it was great to make that first because it’s one of the toughest.


So you jumped right in to the deep end. Did it immediately feel comfortable after that?

I suppose it was a bit like doing a nude scene. When you take your clothes off, everybody is self-conscious, but within an hour … It’s nothing. [Laughs.] I definitely felt more and more comfortable as we went. I think everybody did. It would become normal. Everyone was singing. Even the crew was singing!


At least with a nude scene, the crew workers don’t take their clothes off! Given your longtime love of musicals, would you shoot another this way?

If I ever had it do to again, I would much prefer to sing live. There’s something about the crucible of that moment, where everybody – the crew, you, the music – has to come together and work together. It’s frightening but it’s exciting.


Musicals are frequently an unabashedly happy genre, but in Les Mis we see what pushing people to the fringe of society can do to them. The poor struggling and dying. People starving, and children in bad homes. There’s a lot of pain in this movie, as well.

There is, you’re right. He put Les Miserables in the title because you can’t tell this story in any way without exploring that. How do people behave under that? You have the Thenadiers, these survivors, these parasites, who go around and find a way to survive in it all. They’re not altruistic, they’re not empathetic, they’re not idealistic in any way, shape or form. But they scurry around and survive, and we somehow enjoy them too. The full gamut of human nature is on display here. But my feeling is that ultimately it’s uplifting. Valjean, who is someone to look up to, is pretty amazing what he does and what he gives.


Let’s talk about two of your co-stars: the first is Colm Wilkinson, who plays the bishop – a man who gives Valjean a shockingly generous gift that allows him to reinvent himself. Wilkinson originated the role of Valjean on Broadway and in London’s West End, so it seems appropriate that he gets to play this critical part in Valjean’s evolution.

He was that first week of shooting, so it felt odd because Colm was one of the most famous people to ever play the role. I saw him a year before when I did the film, when I was doing my one-man stage show, and it was great to meet him and work with him. There was this strange feeling of him saying, ‘Hey man, it’s all yours. It’s all good.’


Since he played Jean Valjean for years, was there anything valuable you picked up from him?

I did ask him a couple questions, but I remember him saying at one point, ‘It doesn’t matter in the end. What matters is you do it your way.’ He said, ‘I’ve been to some shows, and I see them trying to do it the way I did. And I actually didn’t do it the way it was written. In the end, the way it was written didn’t really serve me, so I changed it. And now people think that’s how it was written, when it wasn’t.’


What a very Valjean thing to do – defy the writing.

That’s absolutely right! The other thing he said was he used to read the book periodically when doing the show, because it’s like dipping into gold. I’d read the book a couple of times, and I marked it up so I would read the scene written in the book the night before I would go on and act the scene in the film.


The other co-star I wanted to talk about was Russell Crowe. Valjean is very New Testament, all about forgiveness and redemption, and Javert is very Old Testament, much more about wrath and judgment.

We really pushed each other. That rivalry at the beginning, it really is a constant throughout. It had to be strong, and it’s really one of the spines of the story, that runs from beginning to end.


Was there rivalry in real life between you?

[Laughs.] Russell and I actually became very close friends. We were good friends before. We knew each other a lot. And Russell has given me advice several times at key moments in my life that helped with my career. I also owe him because two of the biggest roles I’ve ever had in my life, he turned down – and suggested me for them.


Which ones were those?

On X-Men, he was Bryan Singer’s first choice for Wolverine, and he mentioned me also for [Baz Luhrmann’s] Australia. He really is incredibly smart, and generous. It was a joy to work with him. The whole cast it was a great sense of ensemble. We all had that feeling it was going to take everything.


So Les Mis is too demanding for one-upsmanship?

It’s a real challenge, and we were there for each other. Some days I’d be doing a song, and he’d come support me. And vice versa We got to know each other really well and go around together, having sing-alongs [off-set]. It’s actually one of the great bonuses of this job was getting to know Russell better. I remember him saying, ‘I feel a feeling I haven’t for a long time doing this movie — kind of good-scared.’ This is the scared you want to be, where it takes everything from you.


There are a lot of characters in this story, but it really comes down to these two, doesn’t it? As the audience, maybe we want to be like Valjean, but find ourselves more often acting like Javert – being uncompromising.

This is very much Victor Hugo’s thesis about Javert being so intractable and full of rules and seemingly without mercy. Valjean is obviously closer to Hugo’s belief — and closer to my belief — that love has to be spontaneous and that judgment for people has to be toward mercy and love, and not just black and white.


It’s about generosity vs. survival – but you can’t be fully one or the other. You need them both, right?

To me it’s one of the most fascinating parts of Les Mis. At what point does discipline become too harsh, and at what point is it really your friend? When does it go from a friend to an enemy? There is no answer to this, but that’s what interests me.

[jo]

What I like about lengthy Hugh Jackman interviews is that I usually learn something new or realize something that I didn't before -- words of wisdom from a good human being!

Jo