How to watch Les Mis

I am sure some of you are looking forward to seeing the film version of the musical Les Miserables. Some of you might be undecided and some of you have no intention of seeing it at all. I have just seen it and offer this primer on how to watch it so that any of you, in any of the above categories, who make the effort to see it can get the best out of the experience.

For those of you who might have seen it on the stage do not go to see a film version of the stage musical. This is not a musical in the traditional sense. For those with a prejudice against musicals this is not  a fluffy story in which the characters burst into song from time to time. This is a highly dramatic story told with music.

It is very different to its stage presentation. It is more intimate, more close up and personal. The big screen is used, not to widen the experience, but to bring us closer into the action to better feel the drama. The signature "I dreamed a dream" focuses in so closely onto Fantine's face that you feel the anguish of every word and are part of every tear.

So watch it for the drama. This is a translation of a 19th Century drama told with over the top 19th Century dramatics. It is a long and harrowing journey to be enjoyed for the story as much as for the music.

Watch it to see actors sing rather than singers act. Having actors sing the score live has had its critics, but I found the concept on the mark. On the whole their singing voices are excellent, but the criticism has been that they do not have the power of trained singers, but this is perfectly in line with the intimacy that the screen brings to the story. On screen there is no need to project. These versions of the well known songs have a subtle nuance that, while faithful to the score, bring a whole new feel to the production.

Watch it for the spectacle. I realise that this seems to be contrary to my comments above, but there are moments in the story that are given a new breadth and depth on the screen. The spectacular opening sequence and the depiction of the battle of the barricades being two examples.

Watch it for outstanding acting performances. Using screen actors rather than singers takes away the artificiality one usually usually associates with drama mixed with music. The sung dialogue takes on a naturalness that is difficult to achieve in the theatre. Ann Hathaway as Fantine and Eddie Redmayne as Marius show what real actors can do with these roles.

Watch it for the story. Victor Hugo's story keeps one's interest throughout. It is a huge story and is expertly told. The brilliant lyrics tell the story without the need for any further embellishment. The characters seem to come instantly alive without any need for a back story.

Watch it without prejudice. Don't go in thinking that you will not like it because people singing a story does not feel right. Don't go in thinking you are going to enjoy a film adaption of a West End musical. Don't go in to be entertained by the classic songs. Don't go in to see whether Hugh Jackman can sing or not. Go in to see a damn good story told in a very different way.

Yes. Watch it for the songs. The brilliance of the score and lyrics is why Les Mis has become the world's longest running musical. Heard in this context they take on a new beauty. I think they would be hard to listen to without the visuals though, but together they are a perfect fit.

Watch it with an empty bladder it is flippen long with no interval, but whatever you do, go and watch it.