Les Misérables (2019)

★ 7.6 1h 44m 1,598 votes IMDb

Drama Thriller Crime

Stéphane has recently joined the Anti-Crime Squad in Montfermeil, in the suburbs of Paris, France, where Victor Hugo set his famed novel “Les Miserables”. Alongside his new colleagues Chris and Gwada – both experienced members of the team – he quickly discovers tensions running high between local gangs. When the trio finds themselves overrun during the course of an arrest, a drone captures the encounter, threatening to expose the reality of everyday life.

Where to Watch

Streaming

Amazon Prime Video Watch

Rent / Buy

No rental or purchase options available yet.

Cast

Damien Bonnard as Stéphane Age 47 · Alès, Gard, Occitania, France Damien Bonnard was born on July 22, 1978 in Alès, Gard, France. He is an actor, known for Les Misérables (2019), Dunkirk (2017) and Staying Vertical (2016)..

Alexis Manenti as Chris Age 44 · Bagnolet, Seine-Saint-Denis, France Alexis Manenti (born 12 February 1982) is a French actor and screenwriter, most noted for the 2019 film Les Misérables. He was the winner of the César Award for Most Promising Actor at the 45th César...

Djebril Zonga as Gwada Age 44 · Paris, France Djebril Zonga is known for Les Misérables (2019), One, Two, Three, Nawell Madani! (2019) and 111..

Steve Tientcheu as The Mayor Age 43 · Villepinte, Seine-Saint-Denis, France Steve Tientcheu was born on July 20, 1982 in Villepinte, Île-de-France, France. He is a French actor, known for Les Misérables (2019), AKA (2023) and Freedom (2024)..

Jeanne Balibar as The Comissioner Age 58 · Paris, France Jeanne Balibar (born 13 April 1968) is a French actress and singer. Description above from the Wikipedia article Jeanne Balibar, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia..

Director Ladj Ly

Cast Damien Bonnard, Alexis Manenti, Djebril Zonga, Steve Tientcheu, Jeanne Balibar, Issa Perica, Al-Hassan Ly, Almamy Kanoute, Nizar Ben Fatma, Raymond Lopez

SWITCH. 9/10 Jan 10, 2020

There was surprise when France chose to submit 'Les Misérables' as their entry for Best International Film at the upcoming Academy Awards rather than Céline Sciamma's beloved 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire', but the decision makes a certain degree of sense. Where 'Portrait' is a timeless instant classic that speaks to the ongoing human condition, Ladj Jay's debut film is so immediate and vital for where France, and indeed Europe, find themselves now. Just as in Victor Hugo's novel, they are on the brink of a massive cultural and political collapse, a crisis that will define their future as a multicultural and economic society. Its mostly conventional structure and approach make it far more accessible than you expect, but this is never at the expense of its intelligence or intention. 'Les Misérables' is a remarkable, electrifying and ultimately shattering film, a stellar debut for Ladj Jay, and most importantly, a work that feels necessary - not just for France, but for those that created it and those who see it. It's a thrilling act of cinematic protest.
- Daniel Lammin

Read Daniel's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-les-miserables-a-remarkably-thrilling-act-of-cinematic-protest

badelf 10/10 Dec 29, 2023

Just as Victor Hugo's novel is considered one of the most important books of all time, this movie may be one of the most important films of the of the 21st century. If you're expecting the musical - forget it - it's not. It's dirty and gritty and honest.

There is no satisfying ending to the movie. The outcome of a single, individual story is not important. Published in 1862, Victor Hugo wrote in his preface: "So long as there shall exist, by reason of law and custom, a social condemnation, which, in the face of civilization, artificially creates hells on earth ... so long as ignorance and misery remain on earth, books like this cannot be useless." It's 2023. Nothing has really changed in 200 years.

The story here is great, and relevant. The film is fabulously well-made.