To use Javert’s exact words, “I am the law and the law does not flout!” Les Misérables is a 2012 epic musical drama film directed and written based on the musical of the same name which in turn is based on the 1862 French novel. It was set in 19th-century France, culminating in the anti-monarchist uprising in Paris. from 1832; mainly the cities of Arras, Digne, Montreuil-sur-mer, Montfermeil, Paris and Toulon. This would serve as a reminder that Javert, the main antagonist, is known to be ruthless in pursuing lawbreakers, believing they cannot change for the better. As the narrator tells us: “He was one of those people who, with just a glimpse, immediately impresses; there was an intensity about him that was almost threatening. His name was Javert and he belonged to the police.”
It started with Javert, as an assistant guard, freeing prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean, after 19 years in prison for bread theft and failed escape attempts, and gave him parole. Years later, Javert served as a local police inspector for the factory owner and mayor of Montreuil, Pas-de-Calais, Monsieur Madeleine. He becomes suspicious of Madeleine’s identity when he rescues an injured worker trapped under a heavy truck. So, Madeleine scrapped her attempt to arrest Fantine, a prostitute, for having a violent fight with a street bum. The police caught someone they assumed was Jean Valjean, so he went to Arras to confirm and went to the Madeleine to beg to be fired because he was wrong to suspect that he was Jean Valjean. Later, Jean Valjean reveals himself and Javert arrests him, but he does not. After a few years, Javert was hired to be an inspector in the capital. He crossed paths with Valjean along with Cosette and tried to arrest them but failed again. A few years have passed again and this time, Javert is the leader of a police squad in the capture of a gang that has terrorized Paris for years. He pretended to be an ally to spy on the rebels, but Gavroche, a town urchin, recognized him and was imprisoned. Valjean bursts in and offers to execute Javert, but actually frees him and fakes his death. When the rebellion ended, Javert expected Valjean to come out of the sewer he had been hiding, albeit with a company he agreed to help when Valjean asked him for a favor before he was captured. After helping, instead of capturing Valjean, Javert wandered the streets in emotional turmoil. Morally confused by the mercy of Jean Valjean, he commits suicide by throwing himself into the Seine river.
The law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all those subject to that authority. In Les Miserables, he is personified as a persistent man, Javert. He knows exactly what the law is and he makes sure people know it too. He alone, he is a living law. Just by the mother seeing him, he will remember what to do and what not to do. The government has assigned it different functions in terms of control and coordination. Although the law changes his statement, it is still law, therefore it must be obeyed. Until his last breath, as he lunges, he buries everything in his heart and mind.
The film shows a variety of people. The images were very powerful, the places used were appropriate for the scenes. It makes you feel like you are in the picture with a touch of modernity. Transitions between scenes are seamless. The overall show as a musical was presented directly on the screen. Also, the actors and actresses were carefully selected and gave justice to the specific role they had. The 160-minute runtime was maxed out not only with dramas, but also with a little touch of comedy in parts of the film. As a movie musical, it delivered respectably with, of course, great voices. The choice of songs was really nice and appropriate, as well as the message and emotion that is conveyed to the viewers.
