Since the dawn of the 21st century, the movie musical has been slowly but surely been making a comeback. The relative failures of films like A Chorus Line and Little Shop of Horrors in the ’80s led studios to shy away from them. In the ’90s, if you saw a musical on screen, it was most likely in the form of a Disney film.
But 2001’s Moulin Rouge kick-started a revolution, and since then rarely has a year gone by without one high-profile Broadway musical or another making its way to the big screen. The latest is arguably the biggest musical to hit the stage in the last 30 years, Les Misérables.
If you didn’t already know, the musical is essentially the story of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), a man imprisoned in 19th century France for stealing a loaf of bread. He’s released early on in the story, but he is continuously hounded by Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) for years.
Suffice it to say that the title, which translates to “poor wretches,” applies to almost everyone in the film.
Valjean, a good man at heart, has many different things happen to him, but most of them revolve around a decision he makes when he’s the owner of a factory. One of his employees, Fantine (Anne Hathaway), falls on hard times — an understatement — and Valjean agrees to care for her daughter, Cosette (played as an adult by Amanda Seyfried).
With Javert hot on his trail and Cosette to look after, Valjean hardly ever has a moment to rest, and Cosette’s blossoming eventually leads Valjean to become entangled with revolutionaries looking to stage an uprising in Paris.
Of course, that synopsis barely touches on everything going on in the plot. It’s the kind of story where one action can have multiple effects, to the point where you almost need a chart to keep up with them all. Suffice it to say that the title, which translates to “poor wretches,” applies to almost everyone in the film.
Director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) obviously had a ton of ambition with the project. One of the most notable aspects is the epic look of the film. The scope of various scenes, especially the opening and ones during the uprising, rivals that of any big action movie. Conversely, though, smaller scenes still retain their intimacy, so the film never feels too big to handle.
Another ambitious element that’s been trumpeted is Hooper having the actors sing their lines live on set, as opposed to pre-recording them and lip-synching during scenes. With actors free to make different choices in how they sing particular lines, the practice does seem to yield some particularly inspiring renditions, especially Hathaway’s version of the musical’s signature song, “I Dreamed a Dream.”
Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway give over their bodies and souls to their respective roles.
What the film is missing is coherence, both in a story sense and from a few of the songs. The film is strongest up until Valjean starts taking care of Cosette. From that point, it’s a mishmash of elements that feels like it’s supposed to be inspiring but never quite reaches that level.
The incoherent singing is often the result of call-and-response-style singing where different characters overlap each other. Those songs divide your attention so much that it’s hard to understand a single word.
Fortunately, that’s not the case for most of the film, which is good because 99 percent of the film’s dialogue is sung. There are some truly impressive performances, especially Jackman and Hathaway. Both actors seem to give over their bodies and souls to their respective roles; anytime either one is on screen is when the movie shines the brightest.
Others are not so successful. Crowe does his level best, but his voice pales in comparison to almost everyone else’s. Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen are great as comic relief, but their Cockney voices — perhaps remnants of their roles in Sweeney Todd — are glaring, because they’re supposed to be playing French characters.
Despite the best efforts of Hooper and some of the cast, the film version of Les Misérables falls a bit flat. Diehard fans may slobber at the chance at seeing their favorite numbers performed on screen, but most of the passion is lost in translation from stage to screen.
The Burkman Holiday Home of Frisco will be shining bright on December 1.
Dallas homes and neighborhoods sparkle and shine through the holidays, with dazzling coordinated displays, choreographed shows, and Christmas lights so merry and bright that Santa can see them from the North Pole.
Below is a roundup of the best neighborhoods and homes for a holiday-light pilgrimage in 2024. Many of them are plugging in Thanksgiving weekend; check back often, as the list will grow and grow as the season goes on.
For a longer list of marvelous Christmas lights around Dallas - including drive-thru attractions, immersive experiences, commercial displays and more, head to this story.
Neighborhoods and subdivisions with special displays
Deerfield Holiday Lights, Plano, December 1-30 The Deerfield subdivision of northwest Plano hosts a magical winter wonderland you can walk or drive through. You can even book carriage rides in advance to see dancing Santas, millions of twinkling lights, and larger-than-life displays. Deerfield is located between Preston Road and Coit Road. Check the website for maps and important information about traffic flow and parking. The free event runs 7 pm-10 pm on weekdays and 7 pm-11 pm on weekends.
Interlochen Lights, Arlington, December 14-26 The Interlochen neighborhood in northwest Arlington annually presents Interlochen Lights, more than 200 homes decked out in lights and holiday-themed displays. The event allows guests to drive through the neighborhood and pick out favorite displays while they tune into holiday music in the car. The route map is here. This year, the lights will be on from 6-11 pm December 14-26; free to drive through. Watch for updates on their website and Facebook page.
Glenbrook Christmas, Bedford, December 1-31 The Bedford neighborhood lights up nightly to tell the story of “The Night Before Christmas - In Texas That Is” - along with other festive displays. The entrance to Glenbrook is on Brookside Drive located between Cummings and Forest Ridge. The displays will be on daily, 6-10 pm. Follow the Facebook page for updates.
Regents Park Luminary Event, McKinney, December 14-15 Residents of this Stonebridge Ranch neighborhood hand fold over 2,500 paper bags each year and line the streets and central park area with luminaries for families to enjoy. Grab a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider and drive or walk through streets lined with traditional luminaries and enjoy the Christmas lights that adorn the Craftsman-style homes. For updates, follow the Facebook page (highly recommended as this is a weather dependent event). Runs December 14-15 only.
Homes with over-the-top lights
Miracle on 134th Street, Celina, November 23-December 23 A Celina family has turned their massive property into a holiday amusement park, complete with over 1 million lights, a train, carousel ride, Santa's workshop, Mrs. Claus’ bakery, and much more. Tickets start at $26.99 for adults; $20.99 for kids 3-12, with season passes available and free on-site parking. It runs 5:30-9 pm through December 23. Find it at 10455 County Road 133, Celina, 75009. Follow theFacebook page for updates on special photo ops and more. Here's a preview:
Burkman Holiday Home, Frisco, starts December 1 An alumni of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, the Burkmans’ home is one of the most famous Christmas-light attractions in the area. It features nearly 115,000 lights, animatronic figures, special “character” photo nights, and more. They also collect new/unwrapped toys for the The LiyanaStrong Foundation and charitable donations for a scholarship fund. Open nightly beginning December 1, but closed the first two Mondays in December and for inclement weather. Check the Facebook page for updates.
The Movie House, Allen, November 28-January 1 This Allen family home turns into a theater, showing highlights from favorite holiday classics like Christmas Vacation, Elf, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Love Actually, Die Hard and more - all set to music and over 10,000 lights. Guests can also snap a pic in front of a 6-foot star that makes everyone part of the action. The 15-minute show starts on the quarter hour every night from 6-11 pm and runs Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.. 1600 Wagon Wheel Dr., Allen. Preview it here:
Tell Family Lights, Keller, November 28-December 31 The family in this home near Keller Central High School is bigger and better than ever, they say. The choreographed light show features 60 songs, and visitors can now download an app on their phones to listen to the show (or tune in to FM radio in the car). Then vote on a favorite song. (Make sure to not block anyone’s driveway and be careful driving down the street, they advise.) The show runs is on 6-10 pm daily starting Thanksgiving night. Find it at 5016 Keating St., Fort Worth, 76244. Follow their website or Facebook page for more information and updates.
'The Gift of Light' display at Joules-Cornetti home, McKinney, November 28-January 1 This wonderland in McKinney has a little bit of everything: dazzling lights, inflatables, wireframe items, yard art, an entire section devoted to nativities, plus Santas and reindeer, polar bears and penguins, Disney characters, and new for this year - a Buc-cee's inflatable mascot. The "gift" is that they raise money for the American Heart Association, and the story behind their effort is very personal. The lights go on 5-11 pm Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Find it at 8624 Palermo Way, McKinney.
‘Stay in the Light’ display at Hughes Home, Rockwall, December 1-25 Homeowners Brenda and David Hughes have strung more than 100,000 lights outside their home in a festive display. They call it "Stay in the Light" in memory of their son, Nathaniel, who suffered from depression and passed away in 2019 at the age of 29. The couple is accepting donations for Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County plus blankets, socks, and toys to a local children’s hospital. The lights are on nightly, 6-10 pm. 1655 Plummer Dr., Rockwall, in The Shores neighborhood.
Wisdom Way Lights, Haltom City, November 28-January 1 The Gonzalez family's past choreographed light shows have gone viral for their Selena and Texas Rangers World Series themes. The 2024 presentation will consist of three new shows: Deadpool Wolverine, Bluey, and Wicked. They're also bringing back last year's hit Mario show. Visitors can view the shows from from their cars and listen on radio channel 89.7 FM. Wisdom Way Lights runs nightly from 6-midnight. Find it at 4521 Wisdom Way, Haltom City, and follow Wisdom Way Lights on Facebook and YouTube for show schedule and updates.
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The Burkman Holiday Home of Frisco will be shining bright on December 1.
Neighborhoods with pretty lights
The Park Cities The stately homes in the Park Cities neighborhoods of Dallas dress up with beautiful light displays; pick just about any street where you see houses lit top to bottom in twinkling lights, and there are bound to be a dozen more. Don’t miss Highland Park Village and its 1.5 million lights, and be sure to drive down SMU’s Bishop Boulevard, toward the fountain and back. The annual SMU Celebration of Lights takes place Sunday, December 2.
Kessler Park Historic Kessler Park features twinkling holiday lights on grand old homes and majestic trees against a backdrop of the Dallas skyline. The holiday decorations are coordinated on various traffic islands in the neighborhood each year. From downtown Dallas, go west on Interstate 30. Take the Sylvan exit, turn south on Sylvan, drive about a half a mile, and turn west on Colorado.
Elderoaks Lights, Oak Cliff A Dallas tradition more than 30 years strong, Elderoaks sees 96 percent of its homes participate in an impressive display. Located along three streets just south of the old Oak Cliff Country Club (Elderoaks Lane, Elderleaf Drive, and Elderoaks Place), the neighborhood scenes celebrate Christmas with homemade decorations that span medieval times to present day. Don't miss the streaming show of Christmas carols. There's no fee to watch, and lights go on at dusk each night.
Know of another spectacular lights display in DFW? Email stephanie@culturemap.com. Please include a website or link to social media page with your recommendation.
