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.

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Director: Simon Curtis

Marilyn Monroe was and still is a woman who is admired by so many girls and ladies and

desired by uncountable number of men all over the world.Colin Clark was not an exception. Though he was a newbie in the cinematography and did not know much about how to work with celebrities, Colin earned Marilyn's attention quite fast, he was one of few who she could trust. At first shy and intent on other girl, soon Colin realizes that he cannot resist temptation (like many of his colleagues) spending more time with Marylin.

My week with Marilyn is a biographical film that focuses not as much on filming "The prince and the showgirl" but more likely on Marilyn's character and personality. Michelle Williams deserved an Oscar for such performance. She embodied Marilyn to its fullest and just the difference in looks made me think back again and again that she is not the real showgirl.

But it is not only Michelle that brings us an outstanding performance. You cannot deny that experienced Judy Dench and Kenneth Branagh as well as not so famous Eddie Redmayne (who we all will be able to see in the new version of Les Miserables, premiere on 14th of December 2012) are on the right time and in the right place because their acting is believable. But that happens almost every time. If you have seen the film, you cannot imagine that that role could have played someone else.

With all my heart I suggest (no, I demand) you to watch this film. Even if you are not fascinated by Marilyn's life, you just do not care or do not like biographical films, watch it any way. Simply imagine that it is not Marilyn in the leading role but a girl who has achieved her dreams but still is not happy with her life. It is quite a sad story actually.