ViewGuide

Created May 22, 2010 10:33PM PST • Edited May 22, 2010 10:33PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   A timeless tale of cat and mouse gets a great cinematic rendition in Bille August’s 1998 version with Liam Neeson and Uma Thurman. This story has been told many, many times – both in theater and in film, and it never gets old. This version does it a great service with great acting and epic-style filmmaking.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Liam Neeson has the limelight in this film as Valjean – the criminal turned good man. His range and presence is felt throughout the film as he commands most scenes he is in. Uma Thurman (Frantine) spews dramatic flair and is quite impressive. Geoffrey Rush as the policeman Javert is excellent as the bad-guy cop. Claire Danes as Frantine’s daughter Cosette is also very good.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Good 3.0

    I’m always a bit leery of seeing something produced for theater in film. In this case, I never saw the theatrical version, but it is evident from this movie that it stands on its own – as a film – without borrowing anything from a theatrical version . Great story to work with, great film-making, and an interesting period as a backdrop makes for a great formula

11. Direction Good 3.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.6

17. Sex Titillating 1.6

18. Violence Fierce 1.6

19. Rudeness Salty 1.6

21. Reality

    Glib 1.9

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.9

23. Biological Glib 1.9

24. Physical Glib 1.9