Les Miserables 9: They Dreamed a Dream

[Blasty]

Can someone make a thread just devoted to the Les Mis hyperbole that swept over the forums earlier this year? People were literally saying that this project CAN NOT FAIL, that Jackman, Crowe, etc, WILL be nominated -- of course Jackman will be nominated, he has Tonys and is beloved!; Crowe's part is TOO baity for him to miss! --, that the source material was TOO strong for this to fail, and to even conceive that this could approach "Nine" territory, let along be significantly more poorly-received than Dreamgirls, was to commit sacrilege and incur harsh reprimand!

Let's be fair now though - this musical really did have the MOST potential, maybe of any since like the golden age of musicals to be a major threat. In terms of the people involved and the source material and the historical background and it's popularity, the sky was the roof on how many Oscars this COULD have won.

I mean, in the past, potential musical successes on film picked unproven or inconsistent or just plain bad directors or had alot of questionable casting or were just not very baity. I mean, despite their potential, we all understand why Rent and The Producers and Nine all failed despite their pedigree. It wasn't shocking, it was almost expected.

This near failing with the critics, potentially...is just not expected.

[faina]

LOL, exactly. Fisti even mentioned that if this was getting the acclaim expected, he'd be gloating like a mother. I just think it's hilarious how we were collectively BLIND SIDED by this, a film that many thought had a great chance to win BP and that we couldn't fathom being the year's 'hottest mess'. Also, these negative reviews are pretty hilarious. "Cinematic enema" is my favorite comment so far, I think.

When was that? There have been few passionate enthusiasts, who were also were poked at just as much the whole year.

[steve4922]

Can someone make a thread just devoted to the Les Mis hyperbole that swept over the forums earlier this year? People were literally saying that this project CAN NOT FAIL, that Jackman, Crowe, etc, WILL be nominated -- of course Jackman will be nominated, he has Tonys and is beloved!; Crowe's part is TOO baity for him to miss! --, that the source material was TOO strong for this to fail, and to even conceive that this could approach "Nine" territory, let along be significantly more poorly-received than Dreamgirls, was to commit sacrilege and incur harsh reprimand!

You mean all of McT's posts on this subject?

[Souler]

When was that? There have been few passionate enthusiasts, who were also were poked at just as much the whole year.

Yeah, but they were very loud.

[Donezo]

I remember McTeague laughing at me when I said people were going to find this confusing and that the film was going to reveal the problems in the show's (nonexistent) book.

[with_one_voice]

Let's be fair now though - this musical really did have the MOST potential, maybe of any since like the golden age of musicals to be a major threat. In terms of the people involved and the source material and the historical background and it's popularity, the sky was the roof on how many Oscars this COULD have won.

I mean, in the past, potential musical successes on film picked unproven or inconsistent or just plain bad directors or had alot of questionable casting or were just not very baity. I mean, despite their potential, we all understand why Rent and The Producers and Nine all failed despite their pedigree. It wasn't shocking, it was almost expected.

This near failing with the critics, potentially...is just not expected.

It was definitely unexpected, and I don't think we were wrong to expect it to be huge, but my point is about the hyperbole -- the people that, literally, said it can not fail, that Jackman cannot lose the Globe, that he will not miss an Oscar nod, etc etc.

When was that? There have been few passionate enthusiasts, who were also were poked at just as much the whole year.

Look at the forum's predictions via the polls. Les Mis, Hooper, Jackman, Barks (and early on, Crowe) were in the top 5 in their respective categories all year.

[Dent]

Actor Gary Oldman and his “Dark Knight Rises” co-star Anne Hathaway have a Broadway fantasy. They want to see their characters, Police Commissioner Jim Gordon and Catwoman, in a musical!
“I sang on the set with Anne Hathaway in between takes. Occasionally we would fantasize that Jim Gordon and Catwoman would be doing ‘Guys and Dolls.’” Oldman told “Extra’s” Jerry Penacoli. “I figured Jim Gordon would sing with a vibrato in his voice.”

http://www.extratv.com/2012/07/13/da...uys-and-dolls/

[faina]

I remember McTeague laughing at me when I said people were going to find this confusing and that the film was going to reveal the problems in the show's (nonexistent) book.

This was my main problem with the film. I almost felt embarrassed by not being able to understand what's going on and what is said. However the actors are trying really really hard.

[Naruse]

This genuinely surprised me. I thought it would end up a mediocre film and garner several high caliber Oscar nods. Les is a character driven masterpiece. The musical allowed it to be singing driven (beautiful songs) but its weakness would be exposed on the big screen after scrutiny. It was destined to be a turd with the critics as it has no chance to measure up to Hugo's masterwork. I'd really like to drink what those that predicted 15 nods/7 acting nods took.

[Howard Beale's Toothpaste]

I dunno, a lot of people were unhappy with Hooper winning Best Director, so there was always the possibility the critics would bring out the long knives for his next film.

[faina]

Look at the forum's predictions via the polls. Les Mis, Hooper, Jackman, Barks (and early on, Crowe) were in the top 5 in their respective categories all year.

Bu despite the reviews, most of those predictions still stand. Maybe Hooper and Barks are fading but the rest still plausible. So I would suggest to wait a bit before start "I told you so" dance.

[Blasty]

It was definitely unexpected, and I don't think we were wrong to expect it to be huge, but my point is about the hyperbole -- the people that, literally, said it can not fail, that Jackman cannot lose the Globe, that he will not miss an Oscar nod, etc etc.



Look at the forum's predictions via the polls. Les Mis, Hooper, Jackman, Barks (and early on, Crowe) were in the top 5 in their respective categories all year.

Anything can fail. Even Daniel Day Lewis has failed with the Oscars and/or the critics (to some extent) with The Crucible, The Boxer, and the aforementioned Nine despite those films major pre-release buzz and/or previous director's Oscar nominations/wins. Failure is always an option with any film no matter how can't miss it seems.

[Souler]

Look at the forum's predictions via the polls. Les Mis, Hooper, Jackman, Barks (and early on, Crowe) were in the top 5 in their respective categories all year.

Yeah, but we didn't collectively think this was going to break the nomination record or anything. There were two or three hardcore fanboys (I won't name names, but McTeague), and then the majority who just thought this could be a solid contender. "Blind-sided" sounds too hysterical.


I'm actually a little upset now. I didn't have strong feelings towards this all year, could take it or leave it, but then Redmayne looked good and I decided it would be fun to fangirl over somebody for like the first time in all my years on AD. And then this.

[with_one_voice]

Bu despite the reviews, most of those predictions still stand. Maybe Hooper and Barks are fading but the rest still plausible. So I would suggest to wait a bit before start "I told you so" dance.

I'm not saying 'I told you so' -- I predicted Les Mis in all of those categories for most of the year, too! As mentioned above, I was strictly talking about the hyperbole -- people literally saying that this project could not fail.

Hooper and Barks have more than "faded", they're nearly completely out (Barks for sure). Crowe is completely out and Redmayne is close, too. Screenplay was never super likely, but many predicted it (self included, all year), but that is completely out. Picture will still happen b/c of the expanded lineup, Hathaway is obviously happening (and winning), but Jackman is looking extremely shaky right now.

Anything can fail. Even Daniel Day Lewis has failed with the Oscars and/or the critics (to some extent) with The Crucible, The Boxer, and the aforementioned Nine despite those films major pre-release buzz and/or previous director's Oscar nominations/wins. Failure is always an option with any film no matter how can't miss it seems.

Precisely.

This year has also taught us not to rely much on early tweets!

Yeah, but we didn't collectively think this was going to break the nomination record or anything. There were two or three hardcore fanboys (I won't name names, but McTeague), and then the majority who just thought this could be a solid contender. "Blind-sided" sounds too hysterical.

But I mean, the incredibly surprised reaction of this forum en masse pretty much indicates how blind sided by this response we've been? A majority thought this would be much more than just a "solid contender" -- it was projected by a majority to lead the nomination count, with a majority projecting nods for Picture, Director, Actor, Supp Actor, Supp Actress x2, and perhaps Screenplay. Now it will get 2-3 of those. I fell for the hype, too!

[Donezo]

Yeah, but we didn't collectively think this was going to break the nomination record or anything. There were two or three hardcore fanboys (I won't name names, but McTeague), and then the majority who just thought this could be a solid contender. "Blind-sided" sounds too hysterical.


I'm actually a little upset now. I didn't have strong feelings towards this all year, could take it or leave it, but then Redmayne looked good and I decided it would be fun to fangirl over somebody for like the first time in all my years on AD. And then this.

It's ok, Souler. Redmaynia will forever live on in our hearts. Our hearts full of love.

[guany]

God, I remember back in the summer I raised the possibility of this being 2012's hottest mess, and that aside from Hathaway, its only above the line nod would be Picture and only because of the expanded field.

But then McTeague chewed me out and I started falling for the hype.

[Naruse]

Anything can fail. Even Daniel Day Lewis has failed with the Oscars and/or the critics (to some extent) with The Crucible, The Boxer, and the aforementioned Nine despite those films major pre-release buzz and/or previous director's Oscar nominations/wins. Failure is always an option with any film no matter how can't miss it seems.

the prerelease hype for The Crucibles and The Boxer was no way near the craziness created for Les Mis. How many pages of bold predictions were devoted to this film on this site this year? 50? 100? Or more?

[Donezo]

I fell for the hype because the early promotional materials looked so good. So I guess this deserves an Oscar for Best Marketing of a Turkey.

[faina]

I'm not saying 'I told you so' -- I predicted Les Mis in all of those categories for most of the year, too. As mentioned above, I was strictly talking about the hyperbole -- people literally saying that this project could not fail.

Hooper and Barks have more than "faded", they're nearly completely out (Barks for sure). Crowe is completely out and Redmayne is close, too. Screenplay was never super likely, but many predicted (self included, all year), but that is out. Picture will still happen b/c of the expanded lineup, Hathaway is obviously happening (and winning), but Jackman is looking extremely shaky right now.

I never believed in Barks or Crowe for that matter. Hooper is getting his backlash. And you acknowledged that screenplay never had a chance. So we just saying that some hardcore fans predicting 10 acting nominations which would never happen is "collective blind-siding" is just a bit much.
And I did not even like this film.

[Souler]

It's ok, Souler. Redmaynia will forever live on in our hearts. Our hearts full of love.

In our hearts. That's good. They're near the pants, he can come visit often.