Anne Hathaway dreams a dream in 'Les Misérables'

Universal has high hopes for Les Misérables, which they've set for a December release. The studio just released a trailer for the musical, which will likely play before the distributor's release of Snow White and the Huntsman this Friday. Perhaps trying to reel in female fans who wanted to see Snow White for Kristen Stewart, the trailer focuses on Anne Hathaway as Fantine, a downtrodden single mother.

At my first pass on the trailer, Hathaway's voice sounded raw, with audible breathes between phrases, which is usually a no-no for singers. However, Hathaway has a history of nailing live performances, including on the Oscars and in this tribute to Meryl Streep. She also sang (a cover of Queen's "Somebody to Love," why?)in Ella Enchanted, which had a full soundtrack. She's not a bad singer. So why does she sound this way? Director Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) reportedly had his actors sing live on set, which produces the less polished feel. Given how over-autotuned most songs are, especially ones sung by actors who aren't the greatest singers, I appreciate that Hooper went for live-style singing. Oddly, having more authentic, oh-so slightly flawed singing will make the experience feel more like one is part of an audience watching a live performance.

 

Hathaway's singing is the star of the trailer, but there are a few other glimpses of the impoverished sections of early 19th-century Paris that serves as the backdrop to the epic tale. The comically evil Thénardier couple, which will be played by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, are nowhere to be found, but I kind of hope they remain out of the trailers and serve as a surprise for ticket-buyers.  Les Misérables is an ensemble piece, with Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Amanda Seyfried in the leading roles, but this first trailer makes it seem like Hathaway is the film's true star.

 

First look at 'The Descendants'

By Sarah Sluis

Let it be known: Embarrassment and humiliation can be funny. However, this kind of humor is also a divider. One of the worst experiences during a comedy is cringing at something (a fall, a turn of phrase, a rejection) that's supposed to make you laugh. The best comedians and actors make you feel okay about laughing at them, and the worst ones make you feel sorry for them, annoyed, or frustrated. In Alexander Payne's films, he often manages the near-impossible feat of having you have laugh at and empathize with his characters at the same time. After watching the trailer of The Descendants, I feel strongly that he's pulled off his trademark tonal mix yet again.

Set in a residential Hawaii, The Descendants spotlights George Clooney. When his wife is hospitalized after a boating accident, he's unexpectedly thrust into full-time fatherhood after being the "back-up parent." His daughter (Shailene Woodley) also informs him that his wife has been cheating on him. I was impressed with Woodley, who has a few seasons under her belt starring in "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" but hasn't made it to the big screen yet. Payne's writing/directing projects have always blended dark humor with personal drama. Election, Sideways, and About Schmidt have characters that stick in your mind, along with a strong sense of place. The Descendants appears to do the same.

The trailer ends with "coming soon," but Fox Searchlight had previously announced that the film would release December 16, 2011, smack-dab in the middle of awards season. As a great appreciator of Payne's work, especially Election, I know he can show me a character whose life is falling apart and looking like this, and I'll still leave the theatre with a mixture of laughter and empathy.