Les Miserables is one of the most popular musicals in the world. The plot and the characters are very interesting. The movie and the musical are phenomenal thanks to the the casts’ performance. The songs are amazing works of art as they always have a meaning.
It’s a story about the years of the French Revolution where Jean Valjean, a prisoner of 20 years, is released to start a new life by Javert, a police inspector. During this new life, he meets Fantine, the mother of Cosette. Valjean agrees with Fantine to take care of her daughter after her death.
Cosette is raised by the Thenardiers. The Thenardiers are a greedy, selfish married couple who are innkeepers who scam and rob multiple innocent people. The Thenardiers also have a daughter, named Eponine. Cosette later goes with Valjean, as they meet when the Thenardiers force her to go fetch water from the woods.
As the years go by, Cosette later meets Marius. Marius is the grandson of Monsieur Gillenormand. Gillenormand is a rich monarchist and Marius’ guardian because Marius’s parents have chosen to abandon him. Cosette and Marius meet, and it is basically love at first sight. Valjean soon discovers the love they have for each other and he decides to announce he is moving away with Cosette to avoid them getting closer. In despair, Marius desperately pleads to his grandfather for his permission as he goes to Valjean to plead for his own approval, as he has his grandfather’s approval. Valjean, again, disapproves of this marriage and gets into an argument with Marius and Marius leaves with disappointment because he can’t be with Cosette.
He later goes on to join his friends who started a political uprising. Marius goes over to the barricade armed with two pistols. They later find Javert who is secretly a spy. Enjorlas, one of Marius’s friends, ties Javert up as the army sends their first attack against his friends. Eponine jumps in and saves Marius’ life. As she dies in his arms, she reveals that she is in love with him but couldn’t reveal that since she knew Marius was in love with Cosette. She hands him a letter which is for Cosette. Marius goes on to tell a boy named Gavroche to deliver the letter. Valjean receives the letter and goes over to save Marius. Valjean goes over to execute Javert, but secretly lets him free. When the army goes over to the barricades, Valjean takes a wounded Marius and runs away from the sewers. When Valjean gets out, he is seen by Javert. As Javert arrests him, Valjean asks him to allow him to go over to Marius’ grandfather and Javert agrees. Javert felt stressed and he has to focus on his duty. He also has to pay the debt to Valjean. He sets Valjean free and he jumps off the bridge and drowns himself.
Marius is later on healed, and he is reconciled with Gillenmorand who gives permission for Cosette and Marius’s marriage. Everything goes smoothly until Valjean reveals his criminal past to Marius. Marius, who is afraid, forces Cosette to not have any contact with her adoptive father. He later on realizes that Valjean was the one who saved Cosette by Thenardier. Marius tells Cosette about everything and they both go to Valjean. He passes away in his chair, dying in peace as he is reunited with his adoptive daughter.
When I first saw Les Miserables at Montrose, I was immediately obsessed with it. Les Miserables is an amazing musical and movie to watch. The movie was very high quality and it had amazing actresses. The difference was that the movie changed some lyrics. For example, “Look Down” had two women arguing but instead, the movie kept it Gavrouche’s part which is actually pretty interesting. The musical itself is also wonderful with amazing acting. It amazes me that both the musical and the movie had such actresses that fit the role perfectly. I highly recommend the movie since it has better quality and offers a clear understanding on what’s going on. Go watch Les Miserables now!
By Ayla Tran ‘30, Contributing Writer
30atran@montroseschool.org
