Friday, January 4, 2013

When Tomorrow Comes

I was a skeptic.

It was partly because it was recommended to me by everyone. It was partly because of the wild-eyed fanaticism that people had for the story (no offense to wild-eyed fanatics). It was partly because of the two songs I'd heard from the musical. It was partly because the story was about the French, and a Revolution, and I already had a favorite story about the French and a Revolution which did not have the world miserable in the title (The Scarlet Pimpernel). It was partly because I had little to no idea what the story was about. It was mostly because I was a snob.

When I heard the movie was coming out I knew I would finally have to see it, but mostly in a duty-bound way. I suppose I should give it a chance. I briefly thought about reading the book first, but dismissed that idea. My feelings toward it were kind of like my feelings toward Phantom of the Opera, another musical based on a book, in that I would give it a chance, watch the movie, listen to the music, read the book, and then be justified for disliking it.

The movie came out and the first reports came in on Facebook.
Just had my soul and emotions ripped out, manhandled and remade in 3 hours. 
I still cannot speak or function... 
I'm not sure I will be able to talk about it honestly and intelligently for awhile. Not to be missed by any serious Christian!
This did nothing to persuade me to see the movie. In fact, it made me want to avoid it more than ever. All this over a musical about French people (no offense to the French)? Really? Why would I go have my soul and emotions ripped out? Who needs that?

But then I realized. Maybe I needed that.

I believe that most of the time the things that I avoid doing are the things I need to do the most. My soul's first defense against change is curling up into a little ball and hiding from the light it desperately needs. As painful as it sounded.... maybe I should go into it with an open mind.

After all, it was just a story, right? Whose to say that it would really effect me at all? Might as well give it an honest chance. So I sat down in my theater seat, sighed, and the story began.

The rest, shall we say, is history.

Soon I'll be able to review Les Miserables. Soon I'll be able to think clearly about all the beautiful symbolism that I found in that story. About what it really means. But not today.

First I need to finish reading the book (which I picked up the night after seeing the movie). And I need to see the movie at least twice more. Having been a skeptic, I feel like I'm a little late to all this. I want to know what it means, know what's been said before about it, not so that I won't say it, but so that I'll know more about what it means.

via Fandango
Let's just say, I am no longer a skeptic. I will be reviewing Les Miserables someday soon.

8 comments:

  1. I'd say that's a good way to start the year. Movies can surprise us at times. Good Luck, I'll come back to see your review.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I didn't read the book and didn't see the stage version beforehand...I loved it! It was a stunning movie, but I felt it had too much singing - more dialogue it needed. I was speechless afterwards too and am dying to see it again!

    I'm listening to the highlights soundtrack right now and it transports me back to the film (without the images, of course).

    I never thought I would be a Les Mis fan, but I am. It's an experience of a lifetime and when you see it ONCE (which I have), you find yourself WANTING MORE!

    *sings I Dreamed a Dream* <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. I cannot wait for your review. I love this story, and the more I look into it the more I love it. (I don't like two of the songs in the musical, but I'm still DYING to see the movie!! I feel like the only Les Miserables fan in the world who has yet to see it. And if I miss it in theatres I'm going to cry.)
    Amazing story! Someday I hope to read the book.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looking forward to the review! I'll definitely be seeing it before it leaves theaters.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Everyone is talking about this movie. I think I'll just read your review and skip the movie, since I don't like musicals :/

    ReplyDelete
  6. So glad you enjoyed it, Lauren - it didn't meet my expectations. Sadly.

    ReplyDelete
  7. As someone who loves the stage version, I was worried that the movie would disappoint. And Russell Crowe's singing voice (or lack thereof) was a disappointment, but it didn't matter because of Anne Hathaway's performance as Fantine. She tore my heart out.

    ReplyDelete

Thoughts?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...