Robert (he/him)’s review published on Letterboxd:
From the first scenes at a filled Champs-Élysées, Les Misérables takes us deep into a minefield district of Paris, to show us upclose how quickly a riot like the one in 2005 could evolve.
The films strength lies in setting up the pieces, showing us how all different groups hold up in a violent climate. There’s a powerfull dialogue between one of the police and an imam being the perfect example of how so many different needs will clash eventually.
Halfway through the directing is going more towards the theatrical, with some cliché desicions. The reference to Victor Hugos masterpiece is a clear one though. There’s a tension to be felt throughout the film and you know there’s something at stake here.
In the end, when things go sour, you will be on the edge of your seat, but the more authentic feeling of the beginning and the more powerfull scenes shortly before the ending showing all different characters returning to there homesituation, make more impact.