Well, it appears that Adam Lambert went, saw, and was unimpressed with the overall production of the hit musical film "Les Miserables." After seeing the movie, he took to Twitter Sunday (Dec. 30) to share his thoughts on the movie, and although he found some of the musical numbers well done, he found the live recording of the music nothing more than "great actors PRETENDING to be singers."
The "American Idol" runner-up and -- most recently -- the host of "VH1 Divas 2012" had no problem extending acknowledgment that the actors were "great" (Tony winner Hugh Jackman, Oscar winner Russell Crowe, SAG (and BAFTA and Critic's Choice) winner and twice Oscar nominated Helena Bonham Carter, Oscar nominated Sacha Baron Cohen, Oscar nominated Anne Hathaway). However, Lambert did have a problem with the actual singing. Well, for some of the cast.
In several Twitter postings, Lambert talked about the singing. He started by posting: "Les Mis: Visually impressive w great Emotional performances. But the score suffered massively with great actors PRETENDING to be singers."
Lambert said he felt Hollywood gave singing the "last priority" in their musicals. However, he thought the idea of live singing the parts in "Les Miserables" was "cool."
But he was quick to point out the actors/singers he thought did well. "Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Enjolras [Aaron Tveit] were the exceptions for me," he posted.
He later added, "Helena B Carter and Sasha B Cohen were great too." And still later: "Eponine's voice was cool too..." (Eponine was played by actress Samantha Barks.)
So of the major starring actors in "Les Miserables," Lambert felt the singing ranged from "cool" to exceptional with five. And he would later tell his followers to see the movie if only to watch Anne Hathaway's performance, which he dubbed "breathtaking."
That would leave Hugh Jackman, who played the protagonist Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe (Javert), Amanda Seyfried (Cosette), Eddie Redmayne (Marius), and Daniel Huttlestone (Gavroche) as lacking among the major stars.
Lambert offered that he had grown up with "Les Miserables" and had high expectations.
Apparently, they were only half met.
But "great actors PRETENDING to be singers" or not, "Les Miserables" is certainly racking up the nominations. According to the Internet Movie Database, it already has 14 wins and another 48 nominations to date, including four Golden Globe and four Screen Actors Guild nominations. The movie has already won the American Film Institute's 2013 Movie of the Year award as well.
According to Box Office Mojo, the film doesn't appear to be suffering from Jackman and Crowe's inability to sing. The movie has grossed over $66.7 million in the US since its Christmas Day release. Worldwide, the movie has pulled in over $115 million.
Perhaps the former theatrical singer, who scored a No. 1 Billboard album this past year, expected a little too much from Jackman and Crowe and their interpretations of the musical numbers as they were captured in the moment (instead of lip-syncing as is normally done in most musicals). But most critics and audiences don't mind the great actors pretending to be singers. Besides, pretending is what they do for their paychecks anyway. Maybe Monsieur Lambert should look at "Les Miserables" as some pretending to be singers in a more pleasing manner than others.
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