The Real Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean: He is, in my opinion, one of the most simple and at the same time one of the most complex characters ever written. As readers follow his journey through Victor Hugo's classic novel Les Miserables, they come to see that Valjean is a passionate person and his story is one filled with many emotions. Love, hate, shame, guilt, the need to prove oneself... All of these timeless issues are embodied in this one man's voyage to freedom and happiness. Through the years, Les Miserables has been adapted into many things- movies, plays, and even musicals. Every director has faced the challenge of bringing to life the multifaceted character of Valjean; some succeed and some fail. After viewing both Bille August and Glenn Jordan's interpretation of the book, I believe August's presentation of Jean Valjean is by far more believable as a human being. In Glenn Jordan's film, Jean Valjean is played by Richard Jordan, who seems too young an actor to master the intricate details of Valjean's personality and psyche. As the film progresses, Jordan's acting becomes increasingly tedious and awkward and he makes no effort to add depth to his portrayal of Valjean as the character ages. His actions seem calculated and cold, as if he is merel
It is a passionate representation of Victor Hugo's novel and a stunning portrait of the most extreme of human emotions. In Bille August's adaptation, the viewer can easily sense the air of hostility and enmity between Valjean and Javert. Neeson's acting retains a powerful presence throughout the entire movie and turns a character from one of the most acclaimed books of all time into an entirely realistic person. On the other hand, Bille August's film stars Liam Neeson as the good-hearted Frenchman who spends his life making up for his past mistakes. The viewers are left wondering as to why this policeman, who has spent the entire movie chasing Valjean, simply sets him free and then are even more shocked when he takes his own life. Glenn Jordan's film even includes scenes of Valjean's prison-time in Toulon, where Valjean and Javert come to know and dislike each other. He plays Valjean with such passion and poise that the viewer cannot help but sympathize and accept Valjean's flaws for his good intentions. y reciting his lines instead of "playing" the part; the emotions he speaks of never truly reach his eyes. In conclusion, the lack of feeling and sparkle in Glenn Jordan's version of Les Miserables gives the film a rather amateur atmosphere. Theirs is a relationship founded on hatred and resentment, frustration and ultimately, understanding. One does not need to be told the history of their acquaintance in order to come to the conclusion that Javert despises Valjean and Valjean is terrified of the police inspector. With this conclusion, the audience goes away thinking of Javert as heartless and unbending with no humanity at all, instead of the flawed man he really is, who commits suicide to escape the inner turmoil that has consumed him for so long. This movie contains that spark of ultimate understanding and humanity necessary to suggest tragedy rather then jubilation over Javert's death. Javert allows Valjean to bring Marius to Cosette, permitting a heart-wrenching goodbye scene between father and adopted daughter, and then has Valjean delivered back to him. Having Valjean introduce and expose himself as what he is enables the viewer to see how he feels about his life; he is ashamed of himself and Neeson presents this magnificently.
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Acceptance Essays
