1998, 2 hrs 39 min., Rated PG-13 for violence, and for some sexual content. Dir: Bille August. Cast: Liam Neeson (Valjean), Geoffrey Rush (Javert), Uma Thurman (Fantine), Claire Danes (Cosette), Hans Matheson (Marius).

With Les Miserables being my favorite musical, I had to see the feature film adaption, so I went with fellow Mis fans and siblings Stacy, Stephanie and Stacy's boy-toy Joe. Despite solid performances by the all-star cast, we were disappointed in the movie. I think I can offer the reason why. It was missing something, the MUSIC!

I know, originally it was a mere novel by Victor Hugo, but we grew up with the stage version. So why can't Hollywood do a musical version? It worked for West Side Story, Grease, Evita, A Chorus Line, and even Chicago is being transferred to the big screen, so why not Les Mis?

Uma Thurman's character, Fantine, was in the movie too long. I am not a fan of Thurman, never have been. So the extra screen time can be directly attributed to the Hollywood bigwigs who think she's a big star and needs lots of time in front of the camera. Maybe they should see The Avengers a couple more times for them to take my side. The film would be better spent with more time reserved for when Cosette has grown up, the revolt and her relationship with Marius and Valjean's disapproval.

And where was Eponine!? She's my favorite character in the musical, but in the movie wasn't included! The credits listed her, but the only air time was as a throw-away extra before the battle. In the musical she and Marius were a love triangle of sorts, in that she loved Marius and he loved Cosette, but more important. Eponine is a heroine! The first to fall at the barricade, she gives up her love and risks her life for him, so he is saved and lives to be with Cosette. Her song, "On My Own" is my favorite song in the stage version. But, alas, she is reduced to nilch on the silver screen. Depressing.

OK, time to give up the nattering nabob of negativity, because I did think the movie was well done, notably the performances. Neeson is one of the best actors in the business, and I saw no faults this time. He gives an inspired performance as Valjean. We feel for him when Javert persecutes him, we see his shock and transformation as the bishop lets Valjean go despite stealing the candlesticks, and we want Valjean to go free when Javert discovers he's a nobleman.

And Rush's portrayal of Javert is no less inspired, as the man bent on putting Valjean's criminal self in prison for life. He believes he's right in this, and cannot except a man can be rehabilitated, to the point where he must take his own life to avoid his inner conflict.