Movies Of Les Mis And Mamma Mia

[thesshhh]

Anyone else who’s seen the West End stage musicals Mamma Mia and Les Miserables disappointed by how poor the film versions were? I think that in both cases they should’ve chosen singers who can act rather than actors who can sing. For me, Streep and Brosnan’s limited singing ruined Mamma Mia, ditto Russell Crowe and Eddie Redmayne in Les Mis

[bednobs]

cheer up love.those films were both 5+ years ago!
go and see Rocketman and see if you can find something to moan about in that

[woofgang]

I really like the Mama Mia movie. Don't like Les Mis in any way shape or form.

[Barmaid]

Loved Les Mis on the stage. Thought the film was pretty good too. Hugh jackman surprised me. Russell Crowe was dreadful. But thought it was a nice touch having colm Wilkinson and frances ruffelle in the film cast.

[vetuste_ennemi]

//Russell Crowe was dreadful//

Also inaccurately miscast. Hugo's Javert was a Nigerian, not an Aussie or even a French man. As anybody who's seen the BBC's authentic rendition of the novel. knows.

Never read the novel, but I do think that there's common agreement about Javert's sex if not his/her racial origins.

[roopower]

I think the poor singing in some places adds to the charm of Mamma
Mia. It's a great, feelgood film and I love it!

[zebo]

In Mama Mia the 'singing' is the equivalent of Dad-dancing, meant to embarrass their daughters. Pierce Brosnan was excellent in comparison to Colin Firth, Colin needs to stick to white see-through shirts!

[douglas9401]

Happily I can't suspend disbelief when it comes to musicals so don't have to bother with this kind of stuff.

I have in the past found them to be butt-clenchingly awful though.

[Arksided]

I'm, far removed of being a fan of musicals, but knowing that Lily James is in Mama mia.... I will give it ago.... I can't see it lasting though.

[bednobs]

thi thread made we want to go and re-watch MM, so i did.... it's so bad it' fantastic :)

[maggiebee]

Have seen Les Mis on the West End twice and loved it. In one production, Javert was played by a Nigerian who had an absolutely fantastic voice. Although I quite like Russell Crowe, he was no Javert, and has a very weak voice. MM is another story - hated both the West End production and the film. Good job we're all different.

[thesshhh]

Both films were shown on Channel 5 yesterday

[BagPussAA]

Love The Glums (Les Mis) on stage and have seen it several times. I was looking forward to seeing Hugh Jackman in it as he is a good singer but was bitterly disappointed. It comes across as a musical for people who dont like musicals. I know loads of people who love it but would never go to the theatre to watch it. Its a shame really but thats what you get with film adaptations. You get the same with Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar and Rock of Ages (though Tom Cruise is brilliant in this)

[thesshhh]

The old movies of Rodgers & HAmmerstein musicals were great, as was the 1970s film of Jesus Christ Superstar

[Rockrose]

No I disagree I have seen the films and the stage show and love them all

[thesshhh]

I’ve loved both film and stage versions of Oliver! and The Sound Of Music especially