On paper this is everything I should love, a complex story, creative visuals, strong performances and a social conscience imbued throughout the film without being preachy. Right from the start it failed to really engage me, though, and I spent the next 4-5 hours wondering why I just wasn't getting into it. It doesn't develop characters, just leads them through situations, and doesn't have strong enough core to focus. Also, I like dutch angles but this has way too many.

A stunning five hour epic of a film that never wears out its welcome and features brilliant performances.

Beautiful photography. Outstanding performances. Bernard's ability to communicate the essence of Hugo's story with economy and style is a feat to be admired. Highly recommended.

Baur is magnificent, anchoring the film with a rich characterization. The rest of the cast frankly pales in comparison, but Baur is plenty enough to carry the film. The camera aesthetic is appealing as well, somewhere between German expressionism and Max Ophuls. The roughest patch is the beginning of part 3, which gets away from Valjean for far too long to concentrate on the French Revolution. However, things pick up again and the movie concludes very tenderly on a satisfying note.