Eleven years ago, the film “Les Misérables” hit theaters. Many people walked into the theater expecting a fun, jovial musical, and came out sobbing. Those who were not musical fans, still found themselves tearing up at the end.

The story itself is one of the most powerful. Combine it with the heart-wrenching music composed by the brilliant Claude-Michel Schonberg, and you have one of the greatest musicals of all time. I’ve seen this film twice now, and have seen the show live here at this very school. When I tell you how breathtaking it was, I am not making an understatement. It was one of the most beautiful pieces of art to ever be made, and I have no doubt that it will go down in musical history as one of the greats.

The film stars Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Samantha Barks as Eponine, Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier, and Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier. This large cast of characters projects the story of resilience, loss, the power of love, and the ability to leave the past behind. Each actor or actress took on each role with grace, and portrayed them all perfectly, with amazing performances from Jackman in the number “Bring him Home,” Hathaway in “I Dreamed a Dream,” and Crowe in “Stars.”

This movie portrays such heavy emotions perfectly, and even if you’ve never cried watching a movie, I’m certain that you will find yourself tearing up at the last rendition of “Do you Hear the People Sing.”

This film was fantastic and I will give it 5/5 stars! The film is rated PG-13 because of more mature themes throughout. I definitely agree with this rating just because of how heavy the topics are. Overall, I would 100% recommend this movie, and hope that you take my recommendation into account when trying to pick your next flick to watch.