New Les Misérables film released
A new film adaptation of Les Misérables, directed by Fred Cavayé, has been released, marking the twentieth cinematic adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel. The film, which runs nearly three hours, features an extensive cast including Vincent Lindon as Jean Valjean, Tahar Rahim as Javert, Megan Northam, and Marie Colomb.Critics question film's handling of key scenes
According to one critic, Samuel Douhaire, while all the important scenes from the novel are present, they are often poorly handled. He specifically criticized the portrayal of the death of Gavroche, a pivotal scene in the novel, as being unemotional.Confusion about the film's intent
Another critic, Marie Sauvion, expressed confusion about the film's intent, stating that it left her questioning what the 2026 adaptation aimed to convey. Lindon's portrayal of Jean Valjean was noted as a significant role in French cinema, following previous actors such as Gabin and Ventura.Character development criticized
However, the character was criticized as being poorly written, with young Valjean depicted as angry and old Valjean as monolithic and almost Christ-like. Tahar Rahim's performance as Javert was praised, while Northam and Colomb were noted for their performances despite having limited material to work with.Emotional moments acknowledged
Some scenes, particularly Fantine's fate, were acknowledged as emotionally moving by Sauvion, who suggested that viewers may find their own moving moments within the film.
