Saturday 12 April 2014

I Can't Believe I Forgot This!

So, I was reading over my old posts and I came to the last part of my Les Mis review, and I realized that I'd done something unthinkable.



I forgot to post about Javert's Suicide. Oops! I will now attempt to rectify the situation.

I don't recollect when exactly this part happens in the movie, but I do remember bracing myself for it.


Here is where we get to see Javert's internal struggle between his sense of the law and his sense of what he owes to Jean Valjean, who let him go free. He's been following Valjean for years, intending to get him back in prison where he belongs. Then Valjean has the chance to get rid of him once and for all and be free of his relentless pursuit. If Jean had killed Javert, he could have lived on in freedom without having to worry about prison. But he didn't do that. Why didn't he do that?

Because Jean Valjean had experienced God's forgiveness himself. He was willing to return to a life in the galleys if he had to. To kill Javert would be unthinkable. He forgave him and let him go free. So then Javert kind of had a problem. He couldn't very well imprison a man who had spared him his life; yet Valjean was a convict who had broken parole. This is where the tables turn. Javert would rather die than "live in the debt of a thief." So, singing as he walks along the edge of the bridge above the Seine, he decides to kill himself. Bad choice.
I winced. A lot. That must have really, really hurt.
Javert did his best to do what was right in the eyes of the law, but in the end he was the loser.
I think Russell Crowe's portrayal of Javert was much more sympathetic than in the book. In the book he is much more savage; tigerlike, even, and a relentless hunter. He doesn't believe in God and is for justice above mercy. However, in the musical, Javert seems as though he is trying to do God's will. I'm going to see the older movie version of Les Mis sometime so it will be interesting to compare it with this one. What are your thoughts on Javert?




10 comments:

  1. You said in your last post that you needed blog ideas- well maybe you could say your ten top Period Drama Wardrobes. Just a suggestion.
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  2. That's really interesting. I too felt the musical gave the impression that Javert was trying to do what was right. I guess that song, Stars, contributed to that. I thought he had committed suicide because he had realised how "good" Jean was and that he was worried about being punished for not capturing him, and felt there was no way out. I must read the book eh!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah. I actually like Stars. In the other movie we saw Javert was much meaner.
      Yes, Mama, you must read the book:-)

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  3. Oooh Jarvet a very debateable topic.. I love Phillip Quast :D sorry for the brief comment but I am really busy :)
    http://ramblingsfromaustralia.blogspot.com.au/
    Evie

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  4. Ooooh Javert I love phillip quast as him! :D he's amazing! sorry for the shortness of the comment. I am really busy at the moment :)
    http://ramblingsfromaustralia.blogspot.com.au/
    Evie

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  5. Yeah I've heard he's really good. He's from the stage musical eh? By the way I found your blog! Love it!

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  6. I love that gif of Enjo at the top! Just saying :)

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