Les Miserables,, Movie Analysis

Title: Les Miserables

Genre: This movie is a Fiction and has a  sub-genre of a Historical Fiction.

Characters:Jean Valjean-a prisoner who broke his parole and was hunted by the police force, Javert-the man who is hunting Jean Valjean, Fantine-mother of Cosette, Cosette-the daughter of Fantine whom Jean Valjeane raised like his own daughter, Marius-a man who came from a rich family but hides his true identity and fought side by side with his friends in the revolution he is also the love interest of Cosette,Eponine-a friend of Marius who is secretly in love with him, Thenardier&Madame Thenardier-parents of Eponine who owns a small inn also the foster parents of Cosette before Jean Veljean adopted her, The Priest- whohelped Jean Valjean to change his life and become a better person.

Setting:The story took place in France right after the French Revolution.

Plot: The story revolves on the people who are intertwined in many incidents later than the revolution. A man that is being chased by the authorities for the crime of stealing bread to feed his family, later finds his way out of life’s wilderness and met many people who  have change his life as he changed theirs.

Theme: life offers many hardships and you will always think that it is the end and there is no hope, but there is always an individual who will give you a simple acc of goodness that may change your fate. If you do good deeds with your fellow that whom needs the most without expecting any return and with pure intention you will receive reward that God thinks is deserving for you. There is always hope to every predicament it is up to you to believe that God will help you by praying.

Symbolism: There are many symbolisms that the movie conceals even in its characters.

The Priest: he symbolizes clemency and benevolence or compassion, characters that our loving God has. His act of giving forgiveness is what rules the world and what the hope of his son/daughter that whatever you did that is wrong just asks forgiveness and He will forgive you.

Javert: He symbolizes nobility and integrity or justice, I believe that his philosophy in life was after Hammurabi’s code” an eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth.” He is the representation of how law must be done; laws that will never pardon and will never have any reservations.

Jean Valjean: He symbolizes determination and consideration, the will to reach his goals, his will to find his place in the society, the will to find a new life after the other one has been devastated. He was a representation of how man can be strong and face the struggles of life and the criticizing eyes of the society.

Fantine: the sacrifices that our parents can carry out just to express and there love and to raise, is unbearable. They will do anything just to give us the life that they want us to have.

Cosette, Marius and Eponine: love is just a 4 letter word but has an explicit vast meaning. It is the dimpliest but the most complicated thing in the world. These young fellow just discover it.

1. What does the title mean in relation to the film as a whole?

-life is a battle field , it is full of  struggles, challenges and complications. Then “Les Miserables” tells that even life can be a pain in the back it will always have its moment where we are lifted from those misery with love and Compassion.

 2. Among the characters, to whom can you relate to?

-I can relate to Jean Valjean, life is unpredictable most of times. Like Jean Valjean struggles in life, I had also face a lot of struggles that I thought I can’t surpass but there is always  hope for everyone. As Jean Valjean had his time to rise back up again, I too will have my moment; a moment that will let me get out of my “Les Miserables”. He will be my inspiration and my example to face life’s challenges.

3. Which part of the presentation struck you the most? Why?

-death may not be the end but for us mere humans it is the end of our becoming. The death of Jean Valjean is what captured my interests for I realized that life is full o0f mystery and man may face a lot of misery and victory there is always an end to everything.

4. What is the movie’s message?

-never let go on what you believe, never give up on the challenges of life and never lose hope. There will always be a rainbow after a rain, a bright star in the vast universe. If you will just believe that you can and do what you must do to aim and achieve what you wanted the most then there is always hope.

 5. Did I like this in general? Why?

-Yes, I really like the story for it captivates my interest. It had illustrated life’s struggles and how to deal with it. That forgiveness is will give you a inner peace and by being generous to those who are in need the most will give you the sense of fulfillment.

6. Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or why not?

-Yes, because life is but full of misery and full of complications but we take it as a challenge and chose not the past set our present and reflect to our future.

7. What specifically did I like/dislike? Why?

- The part when Jean Valjean helped Fantine from the wrath of the society and takes care of Cosette where he gave her a new life.

 8. Are there any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at the end? Why?

-None, everything was left clear to my understanding.

9. How does this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?

- My life has been somewhat related to the story of Jean Valjean for I have experienced life downfall moment and that’s what makes me strong and face more life’s challenges.