Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Les Miserables & Me

I know enough about Les Miserables to tell you that the original Eponine was snubbed at the 10th Anniversary Concert and one of those goofy Jonas brothers nearly ruined the 25th Anniversary Concert.

So find out what happens when I decide to give the  new movie the old college try.  I brought some newbies.  Read the full story here at Chicago Parent.

I can't post about Les Mis without a link to the song I blast throughout my house the day before the start of the school year:

One Day More!!

Please cut me some slack.  I spent 5 hours at the laundromat this weekend.  With three kids.  And $200 in quarters. 

I really want an 8 load washing machine for my birthday.

There's something fitting about seeing Les Miserables the same week my dryer broke.  You just don't understand human misery and suffering until that happens.
Plastered by at

26 comments:

  1. Carol Noren JohnsonJanuary 16, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    Absolutely loved your review. Have read the book and want to drag hubby to see the movie. What was worse, the Newbies or the pain of carrying $200 in quarters?

    What did the kiddos do while you were at the laudromat or is that a subject for more writing?

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    1. Carol Noren JohnsonJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:12 AM

      I loved the movie!!! So since you forewarned me, Marianne, I got the refillable popcorn and even so hubby kept asking if the movie is over now. He said I owed him the next six movies!

      There were only five of us watching the movie in Plant City, Florida, and as senior citizens we paid $6 each. They didn't even make money on the popcorn. Just not much culture here in this delightful town. But we do have strawberries here!

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    2. MarianneJanuary 18, 2013 at 10:36 AM

      Just posted about how the kids were at the laundromat! I am often willing to sacrifice culture in the name of sunshine & warm weather. I was googling "condos in St. Augustine" last night. Glad you liked the movie!!

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  2. Vesuvius At HomeJanuary 16, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    I agree with you, the sing-along version is entirely necessary.

    I'm hoping to go on Friday and sob through the whole thing.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 16, 2013 at 1:33 PM

    Marrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiii Anne,

    My big evening out was quickly renamed.
    "Les Miserables: The Comedy."
    Starring my minivan moms.
    Because to laugh with another person is to see the face of God.
    Unless of course you're Atheist Friend.

    Does this mean the end of the availability of my favorite cake? Go straight to your bedroom.
    SF

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    1. MarianneJanuary 18, 2013 at 10:37 AM

      I am sure Atheist Friend will not hold a grudge and whip up another cake for you soon!

      Delete
  4. bettyJanuary 16, 2013 at 2:41 PM

    But it was a night out without the kids right? So no matter what, it was still a night out without the kids :)

    have never seen Les Mis in anything......but I hear it is quite a good show. Might have to catch the movie; thanks for your review of it.

    (on another note, I laughed very loud when I read the APPS chapter from your book :)

    betty

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    1. MarianneJanuary 18, 2013 at 10:38 AM

      If you're not a total Les Mis junkie, then I think you'll like the movie. Les Mis snobs are having a hard time with some of the casting decisions, but we're notoriously difficult to please. Glad you liked the Apps chapter!! (:

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  5. Julie DeMilleJanuary 16, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    Having gone 3 weeks without a dryer I totally understand. I'm now going to make One Day More my back to school anthem- thank you!!

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    1. MarianneJanuary 18, 2013 at 10:39 AM

      Oh Jewels - it's so much fun. I'm running around singing the song and the kids are all sad & defeated. It's awesome.

      Delete
  6. Jen ProvenzanoJanuary 16, 2013 at 3:49 PM

    I have an office-neighbor who is equally obsessed. He stayed up until 3am watching the 25th Anniversary on YouTube and recounted every detail of it to me the next morning in between yawns. I am SO sharing this post with him. He will LOVE it ;) Totally hilarious! Just don't make your comedy version a musical...my guess is your sarcastic friend wouldn't want any part of that.

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    1. MarianneJanuary 18, 2013 at 10:41 AM

      Oh, I would love your office-neighbor. Les Mis geeks never understand why other people aren't equally enthused. We're kinda nutty that way.

      Yeah, my friends aren't exactly the musical crowd, though Atheist Friend did enjoy Jersey Boys when I dragged her & her husband to it. I suppose there's always hope?

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  7. AndreaJanuary 16, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    I would rather wear dirty clothes than go to the laundromat avec les enfants!

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  8. Easton wifeJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:27 PM

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and your laundromat story? Your my hero. eastonwife.blogspot.com

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  9. hi-dJanuary 17, 2013 at 10:18 PM

    I haven't seen this new version. Hmmm...not sure now. I do love Russell Crowe...but his singing I could do without. I remember when he tried to go big with it many years ago...Yes, stick to Gladiator and oh, what's that one where he plays the boxer? I can't remember. But, I loved that one too. Just remembered...Cinderella Man! Yes...that's it!

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    1. MarianneJanuary 18, 2013 at 10:44 AM

      My husband LOVES Cinderella Man, watches it every time it's on. I do like Russell's acting, but the man shouldn't be allowed anywhere near an orchestra.

      Delete
  10. hi-dJanuary 17, 2013 at 10:18 PM

    p.s. Thanks for reading my crazy Paris post with M and Kooky! :)

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  11. UnknownJanuary 18, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    I dreamed a dream in days gone by, when clothes were dry and life worth living...

    You should have your friends improve more movies with their insightful commentary. Brad Pitt playing God = priceless. (Seriously though, I would see that.)

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    1. MarianneJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:39 AM

      I shan't ever see another movie without them! Thanks for commenting, Haley!

      Delete
  12. StephanieJanuary 19, 2013 at 8:54 PM

    After watching this with my husband and parents, my dad was singing in the car:

    Will this movie never end
    Or will it go on forever
    (to the tune of "but the tigers come at night")

    and:

    Movie's long, butt is numb
    (to the tune of "bring him home")

    I love Les Mis. Love. But the movie? Meh. The neverending close-ups were a bit distracting. I thought that Crowe's singing was really weak...but I kind of like the way he played Javert (stiff and uncomfortable and rigid...not really such a bad guy). And Hugh Jackman...well, I dunno. He was ok. Not amazing. But passable. Same with Amanda Seyfriend: OK, not fantastic, but OK. Eponine had a FABULOUS voice, but I was so distracted by her tiny corseted waist! It was just so weird. Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter were wonderful...very well-cast. As were the kids...little Cosette and Gavroche were amazing.

    Oh...um...sorry. Got a little carried away.

    I still think a younger Alan Rickman would make a phenomenal Javert.

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    1. MarianneJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:42 AM

      Seeing as Javert was always my favorite misunderstood character, I held a grudge against Russell for not being up to par. And please ask if your dad is willing to join the minivan moms for the next musical we see...I think he'd fight right in. I thought Sacha Baron Cohen was actually Adam Sandler for the first half of the movie - but I agree with you that the supporting roles far surpassed the "starring" ones. Nice input, Stephanie!

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  13. Dollops of DianeJanuary 23, 2013 at 10:20 PM

    I totally want to be part of your mini-man mom crew! I saw the movie with my husband and did enjoy it but Javert was my least favorite (in this version).

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