Les Miserables (2012)

Director: Tom Hooper

It's been a long time since I last wrote an article, but I guess was worth waiting if the film I'm going to talk about is as "big" as Les Miz. First of all, from the moment I found out that there is going to be a film partly based on the novel by Victor Hugo and on the 1980s musical, I knew that there is no chance I'm going to see it anywhere else but on the big screen. Even though I had to wait additional 1,5 months until Les Miserables arrived to my country, it did pay off. Splendid clothing, beautiful music, amazing dramatics and emotions - who doesn't love that, but everything by turns.

I've never been keen on musicals because I preferred talking to singing. However, I've always loved Grease (1978) and, though singing was an integral part here as well, I somehow could handle that because the main characters spoke quite a lot at the same time. This time it was different. If I remember correctly, the cases of speaking can be counted on the fingers of one hand, yet I didn't need more. Everything was clear and even more emotional than it could be if the characters spoke more than sung. Even later I couldn't stop listening to some of the songs. They definitely live their own lives now, without any motion behind. So it's 1:0 for Tom because Hugo's novel filmed as any typical historical film wouldn't be such a success. That would be too boring and would last for more than 3 hours. It is good as it is.

Letters to Juliet (2010)

Director: Gary Winick

Sophie and her fiancé Victor decide to spend their vacation before wedding together in Italy, Verona. Very soon it's obvious that they aren't made for each other. All Victor thinks of is his future restaurant, he's totally uninterested in how Sophie is doing. (He clearly doesn't see this until she says it to him). 

At the same time Sophie runs across more than 50 years old unanswered "letter to Juliet" (one of many which are left at the fictional character's courtyard and are mostly answered by "the secretaries of Juliet") and decides to write back. Sophie's letter is so emotional that Claire comes back to Verona where she 50 years ago met the love of her life - Lorenzo. (“What” and “If” are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: What if?) Now Claire is desperate to find him and fix past mistakes.And so the journey begins....

Sophie, Claire and Charlie (Claire's grandson) overcome their differences and after disappointment several times they finally find the real, one and only Lorenzo Bartolini. After more than 50 years memories are still living. ('Cause love doesn't have an expiration date). No time for one more mistake and that's why Claire and Lorenzo don't even think about leaving each other again. They are meant to live happily together ever after.

After such a journey Sophie realizes she hasn't find her true love. Victor isn't the one. Like, name me one couple who just before the wedding goes to the vacation but doesn't spent their time together and they don't even long for it. That's not normal! Therefore even after so many misunderstandings and mutual dislike Sophie conceives that Charlie is the one she loves and who loves her for what she is. That's the man she needs!

This filmed taught me that you're never too old and it's never too late to fall in love and if your love is really as strong as you think you should never let that one person go. One more thing - if you are really good at something, don't be afraid to show it to others too (like Sophie did... I mean the writing).

 "Letters to Juliet" also made me want to travel to Italy. The beauty of nature and old houses.Oh and the soundtrack.... Amazing Italian songs brought the right atmosphere. I wouldn't refuse to watch this film again. Really!

 

Mamma mia (2008)

Director: Phyllida Lloyd

I've heard about the musical, then film Mamma mia a long time ago but never managed to watch it. Yesterday I finally did it.

At first I was like - great actors (Meryl Streep, Colin Firth), great music (hits by 70s group ABBA) but then I got bored. Although singing was great (I was very surprised when I found out that everything was sung by actors. I must admit I underestimated their ability to sing before, now I'll know) I'm not a huge fan of musicals and when there were only few conversations between two long songs I was really fed up. (But don't worry, I watched it till the end)

Besides the big amount of musical performances I really loved the story. A young girl Sophie, who is getting married, finally wants to find her father who then could walk her down the aisle. (How sweet is that?) There is just one big problem. No one knows who her father is, not even her mother Donna. (She was really wild in her 20s, dating 3 guys at the same time (just a few days difference). Sophie is so desperate that she invites all 3 of her possible fathers to her wedding. The funny thing is that her mother doesn't know anything about this. (Sophie sent the invitations signing as Donna)

When they arrive the crazy things start to happen, that leads to unexpected decisions, surprising couples and of course.... the wedding.

All in all I would rate this film with a plus. It's a great comedy accompanied by never-dying ABBA music. Some of the song I heard for the first time. ("Lay all your love on me" was my favourite) Oh and don't forget about the place and scenery where the film was shot. I wouldn't refuse spending holidays in such a beautiful Greek island.

The main idea – you are never too old to fall in love again, enjoy your life to its fullest and don’t waste it doing things you don’t like.