NRB Screens “Les Mis”

Last month, Grace Hill Media provided the NRB headquarters staff with the honor of screening Les Misérables, the motion picture adaptation of the beloved global stage sensation. Helmed by Academy Award-winning director Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production features a star-studded cast of actors, including Hugh Jackman, Oscar winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sacha Baron Cohen. “Les Mis,” as some call it, opened in movie theaters on Christmas Day.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells a captivating story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption – a timeless testament to the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit. Jackman plays the role of rags-to-riches ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, who has been hunted for decades by the ruthless and legalistic policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When the now-reformed Valjean agrees to care for the young daughter of a dilapidated ex-factory worker (Hathaway), their lives change forever.

Though not suitable for young children, Les Mis is a spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo's epic tale that can appeal to older and younger generations alike. The story is heavy with Christian themes of grace, mercy, and redemption. The film has furthermore appealed to Christian groups including Focus on the Family and Prison Fellowship Ministries for its spotlight on adoption and orphan care as well as anti-slavery and trafficking.

“If you’re a Christian and you’re seeing this film, you can’t help but see these themes,” noted Jonathan Bock, Founder and President of Grace Hill Media.

Notably, the movie does show the harsh realities of a sinful world, with depictions of prostitution, suicide, greed, and cruelty, as noted by MOVIEGUIDE®. The gun violence in the film also warrants a word of caution.

Still, the film has proven to be highly popular to the general Christian public. The film has grossed over $171 million worldwide to date.

Published: January 10, 2013