‘Les Misérables’ (2012)
You know the story: man steals bread; man breaks his parole; man is pursued his entire life by police officer; they never stop singing about it. But the Tom Hooper directed adaptation of the classic stage musical goes for a more naturalistic approach, which sometimes doesn’t quite work, like when Russell Crowe tries to sing; or when Eddie Redmayne leads a crowd of revolutionaries. And then there’s Anne Hathaway, whose portrayal of the doomed Fantine won her the Academy Award. Or rather, her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream,” which is one of the most stunningly intimate sequences ever committed to film. I dare you to watch just that performance and try not to sob uncontrollably. I’m sobbing just writing about it! So if you want a good cry, check out Les Misérables. It’s a rich, emotional experience, even if you won’t leave it feeling less miserable.