Les Misérables

"I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I'm living"

Revolutionary France is gripped by hunger, heartbreak and desperation.  Jean Valjean, imprisoned for a minor offence, seeks his freedom from the inspector Javert who is obsessed with recapturing him.  Rescuing a young girl named Cosette, they confront a society that is struck by injustice.

Hugh Jackman delivered a great performance as the protagonist; capturing both the strength and vulnerability of an honourable man who is unable to outrun the shadows cast over him by his past. Anne Hathaway, who won the Academy Award for her performance as Fantine, was also particularly stunning through 'I Dreamed a Dream' - in which her character breaks down as the song tumbles from her lips.   The artistry of the make-up and hair was excellent, as it depicted the social and physical disintegration of the characters.

However, there were aspects of the plot that were strikingly contradictory.  While the revolutionary ideology conveys that the working class should be identified with, the depiction of this class is largely grotesque; from the mascara streaked prostitutes to Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen's comical turn as dishonest and degraded thieves.  The landscape of the film was unfortunately further flawed by the obvious computer-generated visual effects, as well as the overbearing camera angles that Tom Hooper cast on his characters.  The film stylistically, therefore, would have perhaps faired slightly better under different direction.

While the impossibly great expectations imposed on Les Misérables, after it's highly successful West End run, were always been difficult for the film to meet, the cinematic adaption does produce some strong acting and successfully captures the musical's most iconic songs.

Camelot (1967)

The legendary story of love, honour and justice is bought to the screen through beautiful designs and exquisite visuals, based on the musical production.

On the eve of a great battle, a forlorn King Arthur (Richard Harris) is thrown back through his memories of the Queen that he has lost, Guenevere (Vanessa Redgrave).  Falling in love with the beautiful young woman, the King proposes a new system of justice and invites knights to Camelot to form the round table.  Among them is the virtuous and dashing Lancelot du Lake (Franco Nero), whose chivalry and vows are challenged by his heart.

Love and politics are closely interwoven throughout the plot.  "Was there ever a more inconvenient marriage of convenience?" asks Guenevere, confronted with a union with Arthur that is founded on political obligations, rather than their desires or choice.  Guenevere's youth and dreams are subsequently stolen from her, allowing the film to draw an interesting portrait of female power.  Arthur is characterised as a King who, until the arrival of Guenevere, felt ill at ease in his crown: a position that he had never desired.  Harris' vulnerability evokes the audience sympathy, perfectly humanising his character.  Torn by their duty to the kingdom and their love for one another, the characters' longings and torment are explored through musical numbers which, while not memorable, produce an intimate insight into their perspectives and hearts.  

The politics of Camelot are furthermore explored through the deconstruction of the knight's code and introduction of a new justice system, based on trial and evidence.  The concept of being "civilised" and the potency of boundaries are emphasised throughout the plot, against which the morality, conduct and corruption of the characters are explored.  "We must not let our passions destroy our dreams," Arthur advises, as his kingdom balances on the precarious divide of prosperity and destruction.

The beautiful artistry won Camelot three Academy Awards, and the film is indeed at its finest in its visual construction.  The costumes are beautiful, encapsulating the different seasons that play a profound role in symbolising the themes of love and time.  Guenevere arrives at Camelot is a hooded cloak of white fur within a snow covered wood, her heart guarded, then later skips barefoot in floating golden dresses with flowers adorning her long flowing hair in springtime, as she melts to the temptations of love.  The production design is furthermore stunning, from icicle covered forests to misty, moonlight flooded woods and a thousand flickering candles against an ominous backdrop of darkness.  

A beautiful telling of the famous medieval romance, Camelot conveys the preciousness of the past, as well as the tensions between being both a man and a King.  The unfortunate conventions of musical films at the time, which includes still frames announcing each musical interlude, punctuate the storytelling and remind the audience that the film is highly-stylized.  However, the stunning design and treatment of the narrative render a story that is at once engaging and timeless.