French director Fred Cavayé’s new film “Les Misérables” offers a 179‑minute, French‑language adaptation of Victor Hugo’s sprawling 1462‑page classic, but it does so without any of the rousing musical numbers that have defined many earlier versions.
The decision to forgo singing does not signal a turn toward gritty realism; instead, the review notes that the movie embraces a “starry, lavishly empty” aesthetic, positioning itself as a visual showcase rather than a stark, naturalistic retelling.
Backed by a reported $37 million budget, the production assembles a roster of “big French stars” who inhabit “starchily archetypal” roles, suggesting a focus on high‑profile casting and polished set pieces over narrative depth.
While the film’s length and financial heft underscore its ambition as a major French cinematic event, the review implies that the lavish production values may outweigh substantive storytelling, leaving the adaptation feeling more ornamental than immersive.
Overall, the review characterizes Cavayé’s “Les Misérables” as a visually impressive but emotionally hollow rendition of Hugo’s epic, highlighting the contrast between its star power and the perceived emptiness of its execution.
<small>Source: Variety — read the original story there.</small>
