Re: Do you hear the people sing? No really, sing?

The people who don't like the film adaptation seem to fall into two categories: (1) those who didn't see the original stage show, or did but didn't like it (either because they don't like musicals in general, or they didn't like this one in particular); and (2) those who did love the stage version, but place the vocal performances above all (mostly because there have been so many good ones over the years) and are therefore disappointed that the director decided to emphasize acting over vocal quality. I'm not surprised about group (1) and don't think anything can be done to change their minds, but I hope the group (2) people in time realize that the director was trying to give us something we'd never seen before: a version where the songs are more intimately and more realistically performed than can be done on stage. If that means sacrificing some vocal quality, the solution is to enjoy the film as a film, not a filmed production of the stage play, and skip the cast album.

Which is what I'm going to do--I saw the film on opening day, and will be going back soon to revel in the great acting performances and approaches to the songs that brought new meaning to them. Usually what I get from anyone's performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" is despair, longing, and regret--but Anne Hathaway brought out anger and ferocity too. And although I usually think "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables" pales against many of the other songs, this time the intimacy of the screen made it one of my favorites. However, I AM in the group that believes that no matter how good Russell Crowe may have been in other films, or how much it might have seemed to someone that he could bring as an actor to Javert, I really wish they'd cast someone who could have landed "Stars"; it went from being one of the show's highlights to me to something that must be endured until Hugh Jackman was back on screen.

Re: Do you hear the people sing? No really, sing?

I heard them and I was amazed. I was not aware that Russell Crowe could sing. I did not expect opera but neither was I disappointed. At one point I stopped to listen to the audience and heard nothing. Not a cough, sneeze, just silence and applause at the end.

Re: Do you hear the people sing? No really, sing?

I did hear them singing, unfortunately, and also singing the dialogue, to add insult to injury. Never in my life,have I been more bored and disappointed in any over-hyped film that has been transferred from stage to film. Although I was bored as well with the stage version, you may multiply that three-fold for this cinematic disaster. As all about me were sobbing and dabbing at their eyes, I welcomed the moment the words "The End" rescued me from this badly scripted, directed, sung, and conceived movie, now up for all kinds of awards. I shall trust that there is at least one person out there who agrees that this was a terrible film, and the less hype still given it will cease.