Posted on 01/12/2013 6:10:25 PM PST by SoFloFreeper
The release of the film Les Misérables is a remarkable achievement, not only for its ambitious cinematic scope but also for its inspired cast and stunning dramatic and musical performances. A key driver of the ongoing popularity of the musical play over the better part of the last three decades is the source material’s deep moral and spiritual seriousness. The narrative focuses in large part on the transformation of Jean Valjean, who after nineteen years of hard labor as a violent criminal is released on parole to see “what this new world” might bring. The dynamics of sin and salvation, despair and hope, rigid legalism and the grace of the gospel, resonate with audiences, who are all able to find in this story something of themselves and their own experiences. This narrative is an exercise of the moral imagination at its finest.
(Excerpt) Read more at acton.org ...
If Debbie had joined a convent after doing Dallas would that have made the film any more family friendly?
You asked about what makes a film "moral?" You injected child rape into Les Mis, and are now injecting actual porn in the the discussion.
You didn't just go to the extreme, you went straight to the absurd.
I'm prepared to discuss all the moral issues of Les Mis with you, but I don't have the expertise to look for morality in pornography, as you apparently do.
-PJ
Well too bad for you. You will miss something uplifting, morally inspiring and the best piece of Musical Art in the past century. But I suspect your limited comprehension in the discernment area would put you at quite a disadvantage where serious themes are presented in a serious way.
Well too bad for you. You will miss something uplifting, morally inspiring and the best piece of Musical Art in the past century. But I suspect your limited comprehension in the discernment area would put you at quite a disadvantage where serious themes are presented in a serious way.
I have returned home tonight after having experienced this film for the second time. I was surprised I cried more the second time. Huge theater and every seat was taken. Truly one of the most remarkable stories and movies ever made. I will read your article tomorrow.
I haven’t been to see it because I have an intense dislike for the uber liberal Anne Hathaway. I saw the play on Broadway with the original cast and it’s remained my all time favorite. I don’t see how anything can top that.
That's why Hathaway was only nominated for Supporting Actress.
I was surprised at the casting of Russell Crowe. I always thought of him as a one-note actor. I guess he's a half-note singer.
-PJ
Why read a boring old article about "the mundane obligations of the moral order" when we can just keep talking about various sordid things?
(I had originally used a more specific wording than "various sordid things" but felt dirty even typing it. Maybe I'll just be specific about what just struck me: had I gone to see the movie tonight and as a result had missed this thread, I don't know how even the idea of those sordid things would've entered my mind tonight.)
For that matter, if there are more future posts about the original article than about the detour, will there have been repentance at the end of this thread?
Not to be pedantic, but Les Mis takes place about 40 years AFTER the French Revolution and has more to do with the Socialist uprisings of the mid 19th century than the anarchist French Revolution of the 1790’s.
“I was surprised at the casting of Russell Crowe. I always thought of him as a one-note actor. I guess he’s a half-note singer.”
Russell Crowe has had his own rock band as a side interest for years. He sings quite well.
You are right.
However, it is also true that France was subjected to a strenuous attempt at counter-revolution and suppression of democratic tendencies, particularly to 1830, but also to 1848.
The most dramatic incidents of the book and movie revolve around the June Rebellion of 1832, which was arguably the last gasp of the French Revolution in its more or less original form.
By 1848 the revolutionaries were notably changed in character and motivation and were much more socialist, in the more or less modern sense of the term. In fact, the word “socialism” was coined in 1832, shortly before the June Rebellion.
The Revolution was not originally anarchist. It was initially not dissimilar in spirit to the American Revolution, resistance to tyranny.
It was, however, an immensely complicated process, with the original revolutionaries quickly losing control.
The biggest probable reason for the French Revolution's failure relative to the American version was the FR's unconstrained vision. They wanted to remodel society and make it perfect. The American revolutionaries simply wanted to remove the tyrants and let the people run their own lives.
There are various levels of morality in Les Miz. First, Jean Valjean attempted to steal the loaf of bread not for himself, but for his sister’s son who was starving. So was his act one of compassion or did it fit the socialist model of redistribution?
Second,when he was given his yellow ticket of leave, he tried to work, but was rebuffed by the farmer who turned him away with less pay than the other workers because he was a “thief” and shouldn’t get the same pay as “honest men like me.” So is he now a victim?
The Bishop takes pity on him, feeds him, puts him up for the night and then when Valjean steals the silver, sends away the police and gives Valjean the silver saying he has “bought your soul for God.” This act of kindness is what changes Valjean. He breaks his parole to start a new life.
It is this act which is his redemption. He has many opportunities to be selfish, but always makes the right amd moral choice.
The story is one of redmeption and love. It doesnt matter if it is the stage version, the concert, or the new movie. I don’t see how anyone cannot find the storyline uplifting.
I’ve seen the play, the 10th and 25th Anniversary Concerts, numerous regional productions,and the movie. I haven’t left any of them without having wiped away a tear. It is a powerful story about one man’s journey to forgiveness.
There are various levels of morality in Les Miz. First, Jean Valjean attempted to steal the loaf of bread not for himself, but for his sister’s son who was starving. So was his act one of compassion or did it fit the socialist model of redistribution?
Second,when he was given his yellow ticket of leave, he tried to work, but was rebuffed by the farmer who turned him away with less pay than the other workers because he was a “thief” and shouldn’t get the same pay as “honest men like me.” So is he now a victim?
The Bishop takes pity on him, feeds him, puts him up for the night and then when Valjean steals the silver, sends away the police and gives Valjean the silver saying he has “bought your soul for God.” This act of kindness is what changes Valjean. He breaks his parole to start a new life.
It is this act which is his redemption. He has many opportunities to be selfish, but always makes the right amd moral choice.
The story is one of redmeption and love. It doesnt matter if it is the stage version, the concert, or the new movie. I don’t see how anyone cannot find the storyline uplifting.
I’ve seen the play, the 10th and 25th Anniversary Concerts, numerous regional productions,and the movie. I haven’t left any of them without having wiped away a tear. It is a powerful story about one man’s journey to forgiveness.
“No Man Is Above the Law of Morality”.seems to be a lot of that going around lately. Odumbo thinks he is above the law and has proven it in many ways. Who made him GOD?
No one succeeded but there are a lot who have allowed him to stand there and act like it. Sort of a Herod Antipas.
:)
Yes, in all the justifiable fuss about Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, and Russell Crowe (who knew he could sing?), Samantha Barks is very underrated.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.