So years ago I was a theatre heathen.

We had moved to Kansas City and I mentioned to my wife the newspaper had tickets to some “miserable” play if we wanted to go.

She made me go. After working all day I go to theatre still in the required work suit from those days. And I’m told this play is long.

Over three hours later I was hooked. Les Miserables is still my favorite play.

So does the movie do it justice?

Pretty much.

Upside:

Hathaway is great, and unlike a lot of folks, Russell not only didn’t bother me with his gravel voice, I liked him as Javert. Redmayne was very good, and Samantha Barks as Eponine was excellent.

The movie moved, I was never bored, and it was a faithful cinema transfer of my favorite play.

Downside:

Hugh Jackman isn’t my Valjean. My Valjean is a burly, strong man who has lived a tough life and sings like he has lived it. Jackman was eh. (I also have to say Amanda Seyfried was dreadful)

I thought the Phantom movie did a better job of transferring the lay to the screen, but that doesn’t make this one a botch job. I like it, I just don’t love it.

Three stars.