Nini's birthday.

The day after Xmas, my sister called to say she wanted us to take Mom out to see Les Misérables. I asked Mom if she wanted to go.

Mom said, "Is it a happy movie? I'm seventy, and I only want to see a happy movie."

"Well. You know Anne Hathaway's in it, right?"

"Yes. I like her. I liked The Devil Wears Prada."

"Well. Her character loses her menial job because she won't sleep with her boss, so she ends up having to sell her hair to help support her illegitimate child. Shortly before she dies of consumption, she sings a lovely song about how life has killed all her dreams."

"Blech! Who would want to listen to that? Is this a popular song?"

"Well, actually, yes." I sang a few bars.

"Oh! I like that song."

"It's very pretty. But that's what it's about."

"Oh, god."

"So, yeah. It's a long story, but I'll try to sum it up. There's a student revolution, and one by one the characters die in poignant, heartbreaking ways. Then all their ghosts get together to sing a sad song. And that's the end."

"That's terrible!"

"Well, it is called Les Misérables."

"Want to go get mani-pedis instead?"

"Sure!"

Comments

[Kathi]

Haha! I love this conversation!

Les Miserables has always been my favorite musical. We took the kids to see it on Christmas Day and they both liked it.

My only critical point would be that I didn't think that Russell Crowe had that good of a singing voice. His presence as Javert, however, was spot on.

Anne Hathaway was breathtaking. She had me in tears.

[roo]

I'd actually like to see the movie. But I'm thinking it's long enough I'd rather be at home-- even though I'm sure the visuals are gorgeous.

I can picture RC making a great Javert. He's got the right intensity. But the singing?

I don't know. Helena Bonham Carter didn't have much of a voice for Sweeney Todd, but she's such a great actress it really didn't matter.

[Kathi]

HBC does make a good Madame Thenardier because she's good at playing quirky roles. There really isn't much singing on her part except for "Master of the House."

Of course, my kids will always see her as Bellatrix and they love it when she pops up in other roles. Last night we watched The King's Speech and they couldn't believe it was her! She looked....normal.