I learned that life back then was rough. Either you were rich, or you weren't. There really was no in between. So, to level out the playing field, the poor realized they could do something about it. So they did. They were (almost) fearless, willing to put their life on the line for the future of their children, of France.
Watching this musical in movie form was not only emersive, but attention grabbing. It played with your emotions.
Not only did it have this whole, something-is-wrong-so-I'm-going-to-do-something-about-it vibe, it showed it. It had a whole warrior feel to it. And not only is that inspirational, but it's powerful.
By watching the movie, not only did I learn and absorb how people lived, weared and felt back in those days, but I felt like I could do anything after watching it. Like, anything life threw at me, I could handle. If those guys could fight against odds that weren't in their favour for something they strongly believed in, so can I. When Enjolras got shot by holding up the flag, and he fell out the window, I realized that willing to die for something, means that it is something to die for. If that makes sense.
I learned that if you strongly believe in something, you should where it on your sleeve, and show the world what you are willing to fight for.
What scenes stood out to me? Mainly when Enjolras fell out the window holding the flag. It's funny, cause my last paragraph talked about that.
But another scene that stood out to me was when Javert took his medal off of his coat and put it on the little boy. Even if it was just for a second, Javert stood back and realized that because of what the little boy did and believed in, he suffered the consequences. He gave the little boy the badge because he deserved it. For being fearless, and maybe a little wreak less. Those seem to go hand in hand. But he was just a kid, who got caught up in the fight, knowing and not knowing at the same time that there were consequences; consequences that showed Javert just how fearless and wreck less that little guy was. That he wasn't afraid.
Another couple scenes that stood out to me were when fantine went from working and having a job to a wreck really fast. Then when John Val Jean showed up. He was so forgiving and kind when he took her off the streets and brought her to a hospital, even if saving her wasn't an option. He showed compassion and kindness to her like the priest did to him at the church a long time ago. He helped John get out of a rut, just like John was willing to do with Fantine, but sadly didn't turn out the way he or she wanted.
These scenes stood out to me because it showed that life isn't always gunna go how you planned. Things are going to be thrown at you that are going to suck, but once you get through them, it will be ok. In both of these cases, death was unavoidable, but it was the forgiveness that stuck out. The acceptance of, yeah, something horrible happened, and to help myself and you get over it, I will help you. Both from Javert, who stuck his medal on the boy, and John Val Jean, who brought Fantine into a hospital and promised to take care of her daughter when she left. Both scenes are powerful.
Pick two-three Themes or Motifs and explain your connection/analysis.
The motif of a disguise is shown all throughout the movie. You have it all the way from John Val Jean becoming a prisoner to a mayor, to the end of the movie, where the two Thenardier numsculls try to sneak into the wedding. But disguises aren't all physical.
Eponine is forced to disguise her love for Marius as a friendship. This does nothing but hurt her and make her weep in the rain. Because he had never loved her, she was too afraid to show how she really felt towards him, leading to her taking a bullet for him and dying in his arms.
John Val Jean disguised himself and became the mayor. Until he got found out, he seemed happy, although it never actually showed us his whole life up until then. He was able to finally (somewhat) escape his past that had plagued him and find a new beginning. But you can't hide things forever, and Javert finally found him.
In these two examples, disguises don't really work. And they both have kind of opposite results. Eponine was happy to unmask her disguise, but John had to escape and disappear when his was found out. In the end, though, disguises can't be used forever.
The theme of the importance of love and compassion is again, displayed a ton in the movie.
It is shown by the priest to John Val Jean, when he gave him the silver. From him to Fantine, when he took her to the hospital and promised to take care of her daughter. From him to Cossette, when he took care of her as his own daughter. From her to Marius and back, because they love each other. From Eponine to Marius because she loves him, and from John to Marius, when he dragged him through the sewers.
This theme is important in the movie because it is such a big part of it, and rightly so. No musical or play or movie, even, is complete without love and compassion.
And there you have it, first blog post done! Hope you enjoyed reading.
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