Director: Billie August
Actors: Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush

This is one of the film adaptations of the classic novel Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. There are probably 10 or more movie adaptations of this marvellous novel. I have never got tired watching this movie. In fact, I have watched quite a few versions – the 1998 one starring Liam Neeson, one of my favourite actors as Jean Valjean, the 1978 version, the 1958 version and also the 2012 musical version starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

Although it is a long and elaborate story and also considered one of the longest novels in history with 1800-1900 pages, Les Miserables is about how one genuine act of kindness and compassion can turn a bad man into a good man. The story is about how that good man, despite all the provocations throughout the story does not return to being bad again.

The story is set in Paris in the 19th century. Jean Valjean, a young man, gets caught by the police after he steals a loaf of bread for his starving family. For such a small offence he is sentenced to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment. He is relegated to breaking stones and doing hard labour. During his term, he tries to escape and is caught. Every time he is caught escaping his prison term is increased 4 years. He eventually spends 19 years in prison.

When he is released from prison, no one gives him any shelter because of his yellow passport which identifies him as an ex-convict. As he is sleeping outside, to his surprise, the benevolent Bishop of the church, invites him inside. The Bishop Myriel serves him food and also gives him a place to sleep.

Jean is utterly shocked with this behaviour yet decides to rob the valuables in the church during the night. He steals some silverware and runs away. However, he is caught and since the police recognize some of the items of the church, they bring him to the Bishop.

This is where the turning point of the story unfolds. Jean is sure he will be put into prison again. However, the Bishop very softly convinces the police that Jean is no thief. He had himself given all that silverware to Jean and asks the police to release him. After the police leave, the Bishop gives some more items to Jean saying he forgot to take those.

Jean does not understand this act of kindness. He was used to being treated unfairly. Imagine having spent 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. The Bishop tells him that with all that silverware, he has purchased his soul and now he must become a honest man.

Bishop: Now don’t forget, don’t ever forget, you’ve promised to become a new man.
Jean Valjean: Promise? Why, why are you doing this?
Bishop: Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil. With this silver, I have bought your soul. I’ve ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now I give you back to God.

The story then takes a jump forward and it is shown that Jean Valjean has truly made good use of the money and become a good man. He has also become the Mayor of a town. While it seems that life has changed for the good, his past catches up with him.

Inspector Javert develops a suspicion that the Mayor is actually Jean Valjean. He tries to keep an eye on him and follows him everywhere. At every turn, Jean tries to do good and at every other turn, Javert almost gets the evidence of him being Valjean. The story moves on and eventually at the end, as Javert was about to be killed by the revolutionaries, Jean Valjean asks for permission to do the needful. However, he takes Javert to a secluded location and sets him free.

It is now time for Javert to be shocked and surprised by this act of Jean Valjean. Despite all the hate that Javert carried for Valjean throughout the story, Valjean never lost his conscience and the promise he made to the Bishop to be a honest man. It is a powerful message.

Transformation of Being

Is it possible for someone to be transformed from a corrupt person to a true genuine human being? In mythology, the robber Valmiki became the sage Valmiki after his encounter with Narada. The story of Angulimala also demonstrates how a highway murderer got transformed into a monk after his meeting with the Buddha.

Evil begets evil and good begets good. Like Jean Valjean, we experience injustice in our lives most of the times. Other people do not treat us well, we get punished for things we have not done, we are not appreciated for our goodness. Experiencing such things, we also give the same treatment to others. Thus life becomes a suffering for all.

Once in a while, we experience some good person who treats us well, offers us something unexpected, does not punish us even though we have done wrong. We can feel the love and compassion in that moment. Yes, it does have a transforming effect in that moment.

However, the test of life is in how we behave and act once we are back within the general population. Was that a temporary transformation or does it have a lasting effect like the Bishop Myriel had on Jean Valjean. What state of mind do you want to live in? Constant hate or Loving forgiveness?

Watch Les Miserables and decide for yourself.