Brian Juergens on Les Miserables

In “Review: ‘Les Miserables’” by Brian Juergans, a fairly well rounded review demonstrates the pros and cons of the broadway musicals recent appearance on film. Jeurgens also has an interesting angle of reviewing films for a lgbt online source. This adds many different but interesting qualities to his reviews, which I think are worthy of unpacking. Jeurgens’ instantly shows his credibility by referring to the films past, and the tendency for musicals to become films. He also gives an angle of interest, and eases the reader into his critique with a lot of humorous rhetorical devices. I think the humor takes away from the formality and credibility of the writer, however it does make the actual review more entertaining. 

The review contains much of the most important information one would wish to know about the film. Jeurgens describes the film’s place in history, the revolutionary use of technology in a new way (the live singing performances), and the important members of the cast and crew. Without seeing the film, we know what to expect, whether we will agree with this reviewer or not. The use of giving factual information seems imperative, as it shows who the film could possibly interest. 

Jeurgens also critiques and praises several performers he finds note worthy. He praises Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman, describing the emotional effects of the scenes and film. Again he also uses humor, adding a very comical phrase about Jackman’s impoverished and bread stealing Jean Valjean, as a “Carb-happy hero.” I think the humor is almost crossing a line in much of the review, but I think it works as an angle of interest when reviewing films. The place of the review on an lgbt source, can also be responsible for this playful tone, and in that sense he is working for his audience. 

In criticisms Jeurgens does seem to fairly give both credit and praise, while demonstrating why he believes a certain performance wasn’t excellent. In a criticism of Russell Crowe’s acting, for example, Jeurgens claims a role in another film as better suited as a model for Crowe’s current role, as well as clearly explaining what didn’t work about the performance with a descriptive metaphor. The review is well rounded, and easily influential, as it is both entertaining and not too judgmental about the film, but a broad review of important features. In this way, Jeurgens succeeds in his arguments.