Confession: I have very little knowledge of Les Miserables as a book, a stage musical, or any prior movie iterations. So I was surprised to see it on so many Most Anticipated of 2012 lists, including our own. I am very interested in a big movie musical, but I just don’t have that personal connection. I am now as excited as everyone else though since I found something to latch on to. A source tells the Sun [via Cinema Blend]
“Unlike most film musicals, the cast will record their vocals live on camera rather than go into a studio first then mime on film to the pre-recorded vocal… First they have to learn the complex songs, then they’ll have to get it right on set in front of the other stars and crew.”
Terrific! Something about pre-recorded vocals always bothers me, but I thought it a necessity to enjoy the other wonders of a musical. But director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) says no, shortly after rejecting 3D. I love this guy. Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Eddie Redmayne are the stars to whom the burden falls. Les Miserables opens on December 7, 2012. Hit the jump for a synopsis.
This decision could limit the scope of the film, but I think the tradeoff is worth it. Given the reverence for the stage musical, they obviously figured out a way to coordinate live singing that works for the story.
Here is a synopsis for the 1987 stage musical:
Jean Valjean, an ex-con, has transformed himself to become mayor and the owner of a factory. But when he is moved to help one of his former workers, Fantine, Valjean’s past is brought to light, and he is forced to abandon everything to run from Javert, the chief of police, dead set on bringing him to justice. Nine years later, Cosette, Fantine’s child, has been raised by Valjean and has fallen in love with Marius, a fighter in the French revolution (after whom another, named Eponine, also pines). With Javert on the hunt and a revolution tearing the city apart, in the end, everyone is forced to question what they’re willing to sacrifice in pursuit of love and justice. [Broadway Musical Home]
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people kind of hate him for beating David Fincher last year(blame it to the award show itself because awards is just favoritism, Fincher knows it that’s why he didn’t care). We take for granted how good this guy really is. I love what he did with The King’s Speech. the light touch to it and the weird framing made it different from the period piece that makes “oscar films” a bad name. his touch made the film fresh and very entertaining. It avoided being another boring period piece.
Ballsy move by Hooper. I like it.
I’ll believe it when Hooper or Cameron Macintosh says it. Right now all we’ve got is info from an “unnamed source” who could be just making it up.
And Sacha Baron Cohen is NOT confirmed for his role yet. He’s still in talks.
Hmmm I believe the last time this was done ( live vocals ) was Woody Allen with EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU or were the vocals just average and sounded live and before that and really the only major studio release I can remember is AT LONG LAST LOVE directed by Bogdanovich… neither were terrible shakes as musicals go so it will be interesting to see how this turns out with better vocalists. The idea is good seeing how this is a very dramatic story which could be well served with more realistic vocals.
Actually, the last time it was done was Across the Universe, which sounded great.
Prospect of this film is starting to get better and better. While I still think Fincher should have got the oscar, I really respect Hooper and think he’s far from a colour-by-numbers director; and this news certainly reinforces that. Can’t wait.
As a director of musicals, I can say that if you have professional singers then you can get some really good vocals in the moment. Especially if you have broadway-level voices. Hugh Jackman has been on Broadway, but almost none of the other cast members really have that level of voice or training. When you add that to the fact that they’ll be on movie sets in the midst of action (battle scenes, etc), I can see this being a decently large issue. How much money are they willing to spend re-shooting scenes that looked fine but sounded less than great? All I can say is, if they tell us they didn’t do any post-production voice over then they’ll be lying.
This movie is going to be a bitch to edit.
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Who made the decision to not have pre-recorded music tracks? I want to give them a HUGE hug! I hate that it’s become the industry standard to have highly obvious voice-overs. I’d rather see a “live” recorded performance any day!