Think of the mortification and anguish of people who spent years in prison, who served their sentences and apparently paid their debt to society, but were never given another chance; they are treated as dangerous people who remain a threat to their communities. This film review will focus on the character of Jean Valjean and his struggles to transform himself from a thief into an honest man; Over the years, he struggles to stay one step ahead of police officer Javert and tries to raise his adopted daughter, Cosette.

Jean Valjean was a just man, but by force of a desperate situation, he committed a misdemeanor of taking a loaf of bread to support his family and was sent to jail. Valjean came to town after being in prison for nineteen years. Due to his criminal record, he struggles to find employment, accommodation, and indeed any place in society. Exhausted and demoralized, he discovers comfort and lodging in a bishop’s house. However, in the middle of the night, Valjean pays him by stealing all of his cutlery. He was later caught by the police, but the bishop claims that the silverware was his gift to Valjean and that the police officers should let him go, but not before making him promise that he would live a good life from now on. This display of empathy and generosity on the part of the bishop caused him confusion and bewilderment. Now he sees himself that he has a decision to make and that he must start all over again. Valjean then moved to the city of Montreuil-sur-mer and became a wealthy mayor. One day, Valjean came across a prostitute named Fantine and guarantees that he will take care of her and her daughter, Cosette. He goes and discovers his fortune and tries to find Cosette. And when he found her, he took Cosette to Paris. Shortly after staying in Paris, they moved and lived in a convent. When they left, Valjean and Cosette lived a comfortable life. Valjean then acknowledges that his adopted daughter, Cosette, had fallen in love with a boy named Marius. When she found out how much Cosette’s admirer Marius adores her, Valjean immediately ran into the heart of a street rebellion to save the boy by carrying his unconscious body through the sewers of Paris. When Marius and Cosette were married, Valjean discovers his true past to Marius. His loneliness eventually killed him, but not before Marius learned the truth that Jean Valjean saved his life that night. Marius and Cosette stayed by Valjean’s side and told him that they loved him until he passed away.

Symbolism is something that is woven deep within Les Miserables. The first symbol shown is when Jean Valjean finally gets out of prison, he is handed a “yellow ticket”, it’s like a ticket to freedom. Jean Valjean must carry it with him at all times to show people that he is an ex-convict, or else he will violate his probation and go back to jail. The biggest problem is that this ticket makes people reject it wherever it goes. And that’s because the “yellow ticket” is a symbol of social rejection. As Valjean tells Bishop: “This is my ticket out, yellow, you see. That’s why everyone rejects me.” The yellow ticket symbolizes the terrible way that society treats its marginalized. It shows us that “freedom” doesn’t mean much if what it means is that you are free to starve and die. By the end of the movie, we may have forgotten about the bishop’s chandeliers, but surely Jean Valjean has not. He passed away by the light of two candles that are mounted on these candlesticks, which is considered as a symbol most used in the film. These candlesticks showed exactly how modestly the bishop is willing to live to provide financial aid to those in need in his community. Furthermore, these are the most prominent symbol of compassion in Les Miserables, and they shed a light that always brings love and hope. When Bishop gave Valjean his silver chandeliers, he is literally transmitting this light while telling Valjean that he must promise to be an honest man. Afterwards, the chandeliers frequently reappear to remind Valjean of his duty. When Valjean dies, chandeliers shine brightly on his face, a symbolic affirmation that he has reached his goal of love and compassion. The appearance of the chandeliers here suggests that Jean Valjean has managed to keep his promise to the bishop and has lived a good life.

Les Miserables showed how God’s love prevails over light over darkness. Forgiveness, sacrifice, and perseverance are evident throughout the film; Deliver the clear message to the viewers. Unknowingly, Les Miserables was a movie produced in the year of 2012 but it seems that it was produced only this year as it has amazing cinematography and visual effects as well. The events were very unpredictable and actually grabbed the audience’s attention. Furthermore, the artists performed their individual characters impressively. In terms of visuals, the film was used to show moments of rebirth and a positive new beginning, specifically in the characters of Jean Valjean, Fantine and Cosette. As for Jean Valjean, his main turning point as a character was demonstrated when the bishop gives Jean Valjean some silverware. With the bishop’s grace, he turns from darkness to the good of God. These candlesticks and their promise to the bishop served as a guide of light on his way to redemption. Overall the movie was amazing and well worth watching.