ChildhoodSadd OP t1_jdsgpls wrote on March 26, 2023 at 8:57 PM

Reply to comment by SagebrushandSeafoam in Finished Les Mis and just need to brain dump my thoughts [Spoilers, of course] by ChildhoodSadd

Oh sorry, I should have been more clear! I completely understand the part you are referring to. I absolutely loved (maybe loved is the wrong word, but I couldn't put the put down!) reading his internal struggle in his dark room over this. I haven't seen the Broadway cast yet, just watched the 2012 movie and it felt like everything went so quick haha.

I am referring to the end portion. Maybe my sense of time was off, but basically it seemed like Jean Valjean didn't want to keep being Fauchelevent (spelling?) even though it was a perfect identity. So instead he confessed who he was to Marius and moved away until his sadness brought him to death's door. I just don't completely understand the consistency in logic

SagebrushandSeafoam t1_jdsifgy wrote on March 26, 2023 at 9:09 PM

It's been a while since I read it, but as I recall he was confident someone would figure out his identity eventually, and then it would bring (what he saw as) unbearable social disgrace on Cosette (and Marius). I also think Valjean's whole perspective was, 'A life with me is forever a life on the run. So I have one mission: Get Cosette to the point where she doesn't have to be with me anymore.' Once that was achieved, I think his whole perspective didn't even really stop to consider, 'Can I stick around?' The idea was, 'She is unburdened of me, now I can disappear.'

The 2012 film had its strengths, but it is not the same experience at all as the Broadway musical. But I'm not suggesting you watch the musical (though, I mean, definitely do if you get the chance), I'm just suggesting you listen to it (specifically, the Original Broadway Cast recording). You already know the story, so you should be able to follow along pretty easily. If you find you enjoy it, then I suggest getting your hands on the filmed 25th Anniversary Les Misérables in Concert, where much of the original cast partially acts out the musical while singing it.

ChildhoodSadd OP t1_jdskwqq wrote on March 26, 2023 at 9:27 PM

This makes sense, it really does. I also think Valjean wasn't aware Javert had committed suicide at that point, just that for some reason he let him go. He could have really still believed he was a threat to her way of life.

I didn't even think to just listen to it! I see it's on spotify and will check it out, thanks!