Posted on 01/03/2013 4:50:37 PM PST by drewh
The film version of the beloved musical "Les Misérables" boasts plenty of box office-friendly attributes. Name recognition is through the roof, the film's cast features some of today's most charismatic actors and the production is unlike any other film currently playing in theaters.
The minds behind the film's marketing efforts took one extra measure to ensure its success, and its paying off handsomely.
The story in "Les Misérables" is heavy with Christian themes of grace, mercy and redemption. The line everyone seems to remember is "to love another person is to see the face of God.”
NBC Universal looked to capitalize on those components and promoted the film to pastors, Christian radio hosts and influence-makers in the Christian community.
The result? "Les Misérables" has already earned $80 million at the box office since its Christmas Day release, and that's despite massive competition from "Django Unchained," "The Hobbit" and "Jack Reacher."
It's hardly an isolated incident. "The Passion of the Christ" proved faith-friendly fare could yield blockbusters as well as costumed clad avengers. Even small films like "Fireproof" have shown studios the wisdom of appealing to Christian crowds.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
What drivel. To love another person is to see the face of God???? Really? How Christian or Biblical is that??? Not at all. It does fit in nicely with the Buddhists and other such folks who believe that God is in everything and everyone.
While their are Christian ideas in Hugo’s work the movie spends too much time glorifying the revolution (as did the musical). The revolution is nothing more than left wing communism. There is nothing in the musical’s progressively that acknowledges the devastation that this novel speaks of. Hugo told a far different talethan either B’way or Hollyweird
I believe it has something to do with these verses in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25...
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Jean Valjean did an act of great kindness to the dying Fantine when he adopted her daughter and took her in as his own family.
And that is very different than to love a person is to see the face of God....My statements are accurate. That belief is from the eastern faiths.
Higo’s book is NOT the same is the musical (stage or screen). Do not be deceived. hollyweird wants your money and your soul. They are not interested in producing movies with a Christian foundation. Jean Valjean was trying to use his works to justify his previous life. That is never an act of kindness.
Doesn’t matter to me. lol Anne Hathaway is in it; that is a deal breaker to me. Much like anything with Matt Damon or Sean Penn et al.
RE: And that is very different than to love a person is to see the face of God...That belief is from the eastern faiths.
How is that from Eastern faiths? Jesus Himself said what you have done to the least of your brethren YOU HAVE DONE TO HIM.
It might not be seeing God’s face, but it sure is close to seeing the face of His Son.
AS for Jean Valjean using his works to justify his previous life, I don’t see that in this movie.
He in fact told the truth to the courts rather than allow an innocent man to be jailed in his place when they mistakenly thought they captured Prisoner 24601 (Him).
He said this when he decided to reveal himself (lyrics to the song ): “My soul belongs to God, I know I made that promise long ago He gave me hope when hope was gone He gave me strength to journey on Who am I? Who am I? I am Jean Valjean!”
I am not a fan of Hollywood, but I can see a story of goodness, kindness and love when one is told.
My wife and I taught engaged couples in church approved pre marriage retreats and the concept of God being present in the couple and family relationship was a key concept. Each partner should reflect God’s unconditional love to the other. It is the closest that any of us will get to that love and forgiveness. God is present at all times and even in the creation of new life. You are mistaken that this is not Christian marriage theology.
Since you cannot see the face of God...only his attributes...One of which is Love...
I say the quote is not that far off...
Only Moses was allowed to see God’s backside in passing for if he saw his face... He would die...
Your beliefs are your beliefs. I see Valjean following the example of the monsignor who forgives him for staeling. He does again with the man mis-identified as 24601 and again with Fantine and ultimately with Javert. His were not acts of selfishness in any way.
You do realize Les Mis is NOT about the French Revolution, right?
The difference is, when we revolted, we separated from the Mother Country but when they revolted, they murdered all the old order and any suspected of being against the revolution.
Per Wikipedia; the death toll ranged in the tens of thousands, with 16,594 executed by guillotine (2,639 in Paris), and another 25,000 in summary executions across France. They especially murdered Catholic priests and nuns. The revolution drowned multiple Thousands in the Nantes river. All this in the name of Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood.
Their legacy of the "Reign of Terror" was the rise of Emperor Napoleon, the French Revolution of 1848 and the bloody Paris Commune of 1871, feeding a national ennui that lasts to this day.
Les Misérables is set at the end of the long period of the French Revolution and the subsequent rise and fall of Napoleon. I will never understand why any American wants to view a movie that glorifies this period of Satanic Barbarianism.
Yes it is. It is the filty legacy of that Evil Revolution.
Sorry, I was so energized I dropped an h.
They could give away the tickets for all I care. The movie has been made several times in the past and was fairly good. Like most remakes, the re-makers are trying to sell the idea that their version is much better than the previous ones. In most cases, the only thing bigger is their egos and the only thing better is screen resolution. And as for being a musical, maybe they should have hired non-stutterers who can say the lines rather than have to sing them.
Bzzt..try again
Bzzt..try again
I loved it on stage 20 years ago and I loved it on film last weekend..
Beautiful music.Wonderful film.
.
The above statement "To love another person is to see the face of God" is entirely correct, for "Let Us make man in Our Image" ought to give one the key, to pause and reflect. Contradicting that Genesis statement is refuting the Bible, all of it, at the outset, and is taking the part of that old liar, the Devil. Is it not?
Does the movie at all show the consequences of these revolutions, like the death toll?
not really....it ends shortly after the barricade scene where yes lots of people die but the story focusses at that point on the ‘loe story’ angle
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