This is a visually stunning, superbly acted retelling of the classic Victor Hugo novel of the same name. It tells the story of Jean Valjean, a man who, because he stole a piece of bread for his starving nephew ended up in a hard labor camp for 15 years (five because he stole, and the rest for running). When he is finally given his ticket of leave (parole) he discovers that there are few opportunities for a man on parole. He tears up his ticket of leave and makes a run for it. The rest of the story follows his life over the next twenty-some odd years.
It is a story of redemption and forgiveness, pointing out that people can change, and that not everything is black and white. Along the way, we see a broad cross section of society, the good, the bad and the ugly.
It is heartbreakingly beautiful, and, truthfully, it can be hard to watch in places.
It's also well worth it. The only thing keeping this movie from being a 10 is that it does deviate from Hugo's novel.
It is a story of redemption and forgiveness, pointing out that people can change, and that not everything is black and white. Along the way, we see a broad cross section of society, the good, the bad and the ugly.
It is heartbreakingly beautiful, and, truthfully, it can be hard to watch in places.
It's also well worth it. The only thing keeping this movie from being a 10 is that it does deviate from Hugo's novel.