البؤساء

When I read somewhere this movie described as the best movie about the _banlieus_ since **La Haine**, I was expecting a movie about the street and undecipherable dialogues, what I got was wildly different. While **Les Misérables** is indeed a movie about the _banlieus_, it's nothing like **La Haine**, which is a good thing. We live the story through the eyes of a newly transferred policeman who comes into this environment armed with an idealistic view of the world and a certain set of morals and principles, and through the journey he takes with his two new partners we see that things are complicated and not at all black and white. The film explores many themes, mainly centered around the theme of power: acquiring it, displaying it, abusing it, and the illusion of it. As the events build up, the perpetual cycle of violence is exposed and laid bare for the viewer to see. For a first feature-film directing effort, **Les Miserables** is rather excellent. I recommend it.

Stories from a Parisian suburb filmed in a dogmatic style with a genetic rhythm.

This film is a 6, maybe a 6.5 at best. Two years from now, you won’t even remember you watched it. The perspectives, symbolism, themes, and deeper meanings the movie tries to convey all fall flat, failing to resonate on any significant level. It feels more like an attempt to push 'woke' ideas that don’t reflect reality, rather than offering something meaningful or impactful. I understand the appeal it might have, as it’s like a simplified version of La Haine for those who aren’t seasoned movie watchers, prefer not to think too much, and would rather watch overexplained movies. If I could mention something positive, it's that this movie isn't the worst of the worst. It has a nice pace and is over before you realize it. It’s not boring and has some thrills, so I wouldn’t say it's a complete waste of time. --- If you're looking for a movie with substance and depth, skip this one. Instead, watch *La Haine*—a film that truly explores societal issues with nuance, powerful storytelling, and lasting impact. You won’t forget that one. https://trakt.tv/movies/la-haine-1995 Also, if you want the story of Les Misérables, just watch the latest 2018 miniseries. It offers everything this movie lacks and more. https://trakt.tv/shows/les-miserables-2018 Other tips from the USA—same story, but executed much better: https://trakt.tv/movies/boyz-n-the-hood-1991 https://trakt.tv/movies/do-the-right-thing-1989 Or, if you're looking for something boring, complicated, and that doesn't provide much guidance: https://trakt.tv/movies/a-brighter-summer-day-1991

It was good right up until the final moment when...well, I can’t say...but I wish it hadn’t ended when it did. A tough watch at times but it painted a picture of a grim reality well.