Winner of 3 Academy awards, Les Miserables has had several adaptations of this story for film over the years, some very close to adapting the book than other versions. This particular version is presented as a musical adaptation based upon the work of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, whose successful Broadway stage musical version is what led to the film's creation.

The film is set in 19th-century France and revolves around ex-convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman). Valjean breaks parole and takes shelter in a bishop’s house. He steals valuables, but is granted a second chance by the kind bishop who inspires him to lead a better life. Valjean then moves from place to place throughout France and makes a new life assuming a new identity to live a life with compassion and service onto others. But a ruthless policeman Javert (Russell Crowe) is after him years after breaking parole. Javert too has a remorseful past and is trying his best to be a good inspector. Valjean tries to outdo him every time.

Valjean meanwhile has set up a factory and meets up with factory worker Fantine’s (Anne Hathaway) an unwed mother. She hits the street at night in the hope that the innkeeper Thénardier's (Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter) would look after her young daughter, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) and not be ill treated. Fantine falls ill and on her deathbed Valjean promises to care for Cosette as his own daughter, whom he rescues from the Thénardiers. From then on their lives change forever.

A few years later, Cosette falls in love with Marius (Eddie Redmayne), whose political involvement in France's June rebellion in 1832 is one of the culminating acts of the story.

Les Misérables’ tuneless orchestration, patchy live singing is the highlight. The subtitle for the movie ‘The Musical Phenomenon’ is apt, for this musical is unlike anything else ever done on film before. Sadly there are no bonus features, but you do get a booklet of some amazing images.

Rating: ****

- Reviewed by Verus Ferreira