tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292610407927144844.post5661454571575922420..comments2023-08-12T06:22:16.809-07:00Comments on Doggy-Dog World: Les MiserablesJerry Travishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09762766647453045430noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292610407927144844.post-63264873096834016262013-02-06T15:54:21.249-08:002013-02-06T15:54:21.249-08:00I enjoyed the movie and I’ve been a fan of the mus...I enjoyed the movie and I’ve been a fan of the musical since seeing it on stage many years ago, but I will agree that the quality of the singing could not compare to that of true musical theater professionals. I think you shared some of the same criticisms of the movie that I saw from a variety of critics and I won’t argue about any of that. I will, however, express an opinion on some of the questions you had about motivations, etc. I think Javert was so relentless in his pursuit of Valjean because he (Javert) had been born in a prison but managed to escape what promised to be a horrible life by succeeding in his job in law enforcement. Rejecting his criminal parents must have been psychologically scarring and perhaps caused him to become obsessed with ensuring the law was followed to the letter. By the way, Valjean’s original sentence for stealing the bread was not that long, but he tried to escape (which would have been particularly galling to Javert), which significantly lengthened his sentence. Valjean had to break parole (which included revealing his past to all potential employers) to get a job – the stigma of his criminal record turned everyone against him. I’m not sure how exactly he became so successful, but surely the money he got from selling the silver he stole from the priest gave him a leg up. I’ve never read the book, but I’m guessing that Hugo was implying that the fact that Valjean dedicated his life to God after receiving such incredible mercy from the priest allowed him to prosper. Regarding Cosette, Valjean realized that he was responsible, at least in part, for Fantine unjustly being turned out of his factory and into a fate of prostitution and consumption. He felt he was responsible for her death, and must therefore be responsible for her parentless child. So there you have my two cents.Andreanoreply@blogger.com