Javert in "Les Miserables"

In celebration of one of my best friend's birthday this week, we went out to dinner and a movie. She'd initially wanted to see Silver Linings Playbook, but the movie times didn't match with our schedule. We decided to see Les Miserables instead.

I adored it! I've never read Les Miserables, nor have I seen the musical. I went into the theater knowing just that it was a musical that took place during the French Revolution. It followed the story of a man, Jean Valjean, played by Hugh Jackman. He evolves from life of a slaver prisoner to parole dodger to humanitarian.

What moved me most was Russell Crowe in the role of Javert (Jean Valjean's antagonist). His character begins as a police officer, in charge of the prison slaves (including Jean Valjean). We learn he has worked his way up from his unpromising birth in a prison, and he eventually becomes a police officer. His perspective of the world is very black and white: There are people who break the law and must face the sentence for their crimes. He was able to work his way through the ranks and believes everyone else should, too. The people are poor and destitute because they didn't work out of their condition as he had. Criminals like Jean Valjean are criminals because they chose to commit an illegal act, like stealing bread. He doesn't judge them subjectively. To him, just because you're hungry doesn't mean you can break the law.

Like Jean Valjean, Javert is a religious man, but his focus on religion is the reward of the good and, more importantly, the punishment of the bad. In his eyes, Jean Valjean acted illegally. As such, he should be punished. He spends his career chasing down Jean Valjean.

Jean Valjean saves Javert's life and sets him free. At first, this doesn't shake Javert's black-and-white perspective on life, and he lets Valjean know it changes nothing. To Javert, doing a good deed (saving his life) doesn't change the fact that Valjean is still a criminal and must pay the price for his crimes. He finally catches Valjean when time is critical; Valjean is trying to save another young man's life. Javert tells Valjean he will kill him if he tries to flee. Saving the young man is more important, so Valjean leaves with him.

This is what was so moving to me: Javert had to face his world-view. Jean Valjean was a criminal who dodged parole and needed to be caught and returned to prison. As far as Javert has ever been concerned, that is what mattered. Yet, to kill him would mean the death of the young man, and it would mean killing the man who freed him. It would mean killing a humanitarian, a person who has clearly repented. It would mean acknowledging that the world is not black and white. It would mean that good people (Valjean) can do bad things (steal and break parole). It would mean that some good people are victims of unfortunate circumstance, and some bad people might benefit from fortunate circumstances. His choice is to shoot Valjean or throw away everything he's ever believed and known. Unable to do either, Javert kills himself.

The movie tonight just blew me away. Russell Crowe's portrayal of Javert impacted me so much that I can think of little else. I just love it when a movie stays with you! I can't shake this one. I want to share it with everyone! My husband is not nearly as excited about the movie and was relieved I "went with friends so [he] didn't have to take me." I've told him he'll have to suffer through watching the DVD with me when it comes out. As for you, go see this movie. It's one of the best films I've ever seen.

Date Night!

I work odd hours. Actually, that fact doesn't bother me so much. Sometimes, it's nice to have my day start and end early (who else finishes off an 8 hour day before 1pm?), while other days (such as today), it's nice to sleep in and start the day out slowly.

The odd hours of my job get difficult when it comes to making time for family and friends and Andrew. For example, today, I slept in while Andrew went to work. By the time I'm home from my shift, he'll be in bed, struggling to stay awake to say goodnight.

So, in an attempt at a solution, Andrew and I planned date night! I had the day off yesterday. After he got home from work, we went out to dinner at Village Inn. I was craving a salad and a baked potato. Yum. We then made our way over to the Tamarac theater to see Run, Fatboy, Run. It's a movie about a man who freaked out on his wedding day and left his fiance at the alter... pregnant. Years later, he still regrets making that mistake, but she's moved on and is dating another man. The main character gets it through his head that if he can only run a marathon, she'll give him another chance. It was a really cute movie. Andrew didn't like how the main character was constantly humiliated and one-upped, but I think he started to get into it midway through the film. At the end of the movie (I don't want to give away any details--it's worth seeing for yourself), I looked over, and Andrew was wiping tears from his eyes. He still insists it was from "yawning so hard." I'll let you be your own judge.

After our movie, we made hot chocolate and snuggled and talked until we couldn't stay awake any more. The evening was perfect, and I'm glad I took that time out to spend a fun evening with Andrew. It's important to hit the pause button of life on occassion.