I don't usually go to movies to be entertained; instead, I go to engage with truth, beauty, and goodness. I find that movies often allow the 
voice of God to break into my soul in a way that no other medium can. Movies to me are like living icons - windows to God and truth.
As such, I have little regard or appreciation for the common kind of analysis that movie critics provide (with a few exceptions). For instance, I agree that There Be Dragons really didn't work well as a movie. Frankly, I don't care about the trivia related to why it didn't work well in general. However, I think that all serious Catholics should see it. Why? Because in this movie we are presented with the opportunity to, in some small way, peer into the heart of a saint.
So my criterion for whether or not a movie should be seen relates more to its devotional value, and less to its cinematography, acting, or other qualities. That said, I do recognize that these latter elements can significantly enhance a films devotional value.
Here's what I want to know: can the movie draw me closer to the heart of Christ and therefore conform me more and more to Him? Can it shape my mind and perception in a way that helps me to "bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ"? Can it help me to love what God loves, hate what God hates, and see our existence more clearly through His eyes? Does it help me to see what He sees? It is in this spirit that I wholeheartedly recommend Les Miserables.
As with most truths that are profoundly important, Fr. Robert Barron is exemplary in his explication. I will leave you with his insightful reflections on this movie which should be seen and pondered by every person who desires to more fully understand what it means to live and love within the redemptive grace of God.
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Thank you so much for such a beautiful commentary!
Dear Dan,
Yes, I saw this movie- I have seen every Les Mis movie several times, been to the Broadway play, read the book. It is one of my all-time favorites. What I found made this movie a new experience for me was the musical genre. (Very different from the Broadway experience.) Because it was all sung, in a way, the music itself slowed down the moments for me-in a GOOD way. Instead of sitting at a movie, I was fortunate enough to “enter into the drama.” This has never happened to me before in this way. I recognized afresh how very much Javert and Val-Jean are the very war within my soul-my flesh with it’s unreasonable demands, my spirit with it’s capacity to receive mercy and forgiveness. I left the theater with a visceral awareness of the very love of God soaking me.
I have read comments of those who criticize the film for its “grit”, thereby claiming “a good Catholic would not support this kind of film”, and the like. I completely disagree. Jesus left Heaven, left Glory, emptied Himself and took on my flesh, the flesh of a slave to sin. And by entering the grit of my humanity made the only way for me to rise with Him. This story by the tormented Hugo is a classic because it is an undeniable TRUTH: we were made to be loved, to be welcomed into the Kingdom through unmerited mercy, that no matter what we have done or what has happened to us by the sins of others, God’s love belongs to us. We have but to humble ourselves and receive it.
Thank you for this review. I agree with you - I only want to grow closer to our Lord and Lady. Les Mis has done it again!
Peace to you!
For an excellent book about Les Miz (the book and musical) I recommend TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY THROUGH LES MISERABLES by Fr. John Morrison. It has been endorsed by Catholic writer Thomas Howard who said, “I had not gotten far into it before I knew that I was sitting at the feet of an excellent teacher, theologian, and literary and drama critic.” It’s in paperback or Kindle for $2.99
I had not read the novel nor seen the stage musical when I saw the movie on Christmas night with my family. I found it a work of art, a deeply affecting depiction of God’s pity, self-sacrificing love, and the power of grace to transform the wreckage of sin and suffering into the hope of heaven. I am so grateful to director Tom Hooper for his brilliance in bringing this very Catholic story to the world as he did with the powerful intimacy of the camera, the beautiful music of Claude-Michel Schönberg and a superb cast singing live. It is one of my all-time favorite movies.
My daughter and I went to see the movie together because a priest friend gave us tickets to go! We only go to movies that have “meaning.” This one had meaning and power. All the way home (the theater is an hour away)we pondered the meaning of the suicide scene. I so much wanted Javert to come to redemption. But he seems to be a Judas figure. As Fr. Barron says, “He could not accept grace. And that is hell.” We have the novel and have started reading it outloud. We’ll see how far we get.
Blessings,
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