Parables in Film, TV, and Theatre: Les Misérables

Welcome to my new series, Parables in Film, TV, and Theatre. In "Parables in Film, TV, and Theatre" posts, I will be analyzing movies TV shows, and works in theatre (plays, musicals, operas, etc) and highlighting important lessons based on Christian morality.

For the first installment, I have chosen Les Misérables, the popular musical and its 2012 film adaptation based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It is more commonly referred to by its nickname, Les Mis.

For this entry, I will be analyzing the 2012 movie adaptation of the beloved musical. Set in France in the 1800s, Les Mis follows a man named Jean Valjean, who is played by Hugh Jackman.

The film opens with Jean Valjean serving time in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. One of the prison guards, Javert (played by Russell Crowe), informs Valjean that he is being released from prison on parole. In the exchange between Javert and Valjean, it is revealed that Valjean has spent nineteen years in prison (five years for stealing the loaf of bread, the rest because Valjean tried to escape). It becomes clear in this opening scene that Javert has no pity and compassion, especially after audiences learn what motivated Valjean to steal the loaf of bread in the first place. Valjean stole the loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving child.

Unable to find work or a place to stay because of his paroled status, Valjean arrives in a village. A Roman Catholic Bishop (played by Les Mis and The Phantom of the Opera veteran Colm Wilkinson) invites Valjean to come into his home. He invites Valjean to have dinner with him and puts him up for the night.

In the early morning, Valjean tries to make off with the Bishop's silver, but is caught by police.

They bring him back to the Bishop and try to return the silver, even saying Valjean claimed that the Bishop gave him the silver. The Bishop tells a little white lie by confirming that he did give the silver to Valjean. Additionally, the Bishop gives the best of the treasure, two huge silver candlesticks, to Valjean, saying, "But my friend, you left so early; surely something slipped your mind. You forgot I gave these, also. Would you leave the best behind?"

He orders the police to release Valjean and blesses them, saying, "I commend you for your duty. Now, God's blessing go with you." This was his way of saying, "Off you go. I've got this."

After the police have left, the Bishop blesses Valjean, saying, "But remember this, my brother. See in this some higher plan. You must use this precious silver to become an honest man. By the witness of the martyrs, by the Passion and the Blood, God has brought you out of darkness. I have saved your soul for God."

The Bishop's kindness causes a conversion in Valjean. He rips up his parole papers and starts a new life. Eight years later, Valjean is a factory owner and a beloved Mayor. When the foreman of the factory fires a poor young woman named Fantine (played by Anne Hathway) after finding out she has an illegitimate daughter, Valjean helps her. When Fantine is on her deathbed, Valjean promises to raise her daughter, Cosette (young Cosette is played by Isabelle Allen and young adult Cosette is played by Amanda Sefried). Nine years later, Valjean is a philanthropist to the poor in Paris. Meanwhile, Javert has been chasing Valjean all this time because he broke his parole. Javert states he thinks he is serving God by enforcing the law and believes Valjean is beyond redemption, even though Valjean spends most of his time concentrating on his salvation and helping other people in the film.

The important lessons that can be taken away from this story are as follows: kindness can give way to conversion and more kindness, no one is beyond redemption, there is no justice without mercy, and love your neighbor.

I love that Catholicism plays an important and positive role in Les Mis.

I was constantly yelling at Javert throughout the film for his unforgiving disposition. The fact that Javert follows the letter of the law at the expense of the spirit of the law is extremely frustrating.