I have an issue with Les Miserable. Well, I actually have two issues, but one is far more serious than the other.

My issue is Cosette. Well, Cosette as an adult. As a child she’s sweet and innocent and adorable and then she grows up and is just that angelic blond beauty with no sense of the world and is so bloody useless. Her redeeming quality is that she’s so friggin pretty. That is the worst redeeming quality. Ever. Is she brave? Who knows. Is she curious? Yes, but not in any way that is shocking for someone in her situation. Is she caring? I guess, but then most people are. It’s really not that hard.

So I should probably explain myself for those who have not watched, read, or heard Les Miserables. (wait first I’d like to let it be known that the pronunciation is “lay miz-er-ob”. people get confused)

So I’ll mostly just explain what is relevant to this post, since the plot is hugely long and complicated.

So Cosette’s mother died when Cosette was very young, so she was adopted by this reformed convict, Jean Valjean. (if you pronounce that “jeen,” I will find you and kill you) She had a really crap childhood until being adopted, but doesn’t really remember it as she has grown up, so she doesn’t know really anything of her past, or her mom, or her adoptive father, who shelters her a lot.

But apparently she’s just friggin gorgeous, so when she and this young guy Marius lock eyes in town for a few seconds, he totally falls for her.

Aiyah. Now see, I would be fine with this. I could let my mind think, “oh, let the silly boy like the pretty girl, there’s no harm there.” But then there’s Eponine, this poor girl that’s one of Marius’ best friends, and she’s completely in love with him, but he’s an idiot and doesn’t realize it so he’s talking to her about how he’s in love with some girl and it’s breaking Eponine’s heart.

And maybe I just dislike Cosette because I like Eponine better. Eponine is loyal and determined and thrifty and clever and daring and brave. When violence broke out in the city as the revolution began, Cosette fled for safety out of the country, but Eponine snuck to the barricade disguised as a boy to probably die, but to die with Marius. Now Marius finds out that she’s there and gets kinda angry that she’s risking her life, so he sends her to take a letter to Cosette (FRIEND ZONED). Eponine loved Marius, so she sighed and took the letter, but on the way, was shot by the enemy. Then Marius came to her side and she died dramatically in his arms.

My second issue is with Marius because he just loved some pretty girl without even knowing her instead of loving this wonderful, loyal girl who was crazy for him. He didn’t even realize her (obvious) feelings for him UNTIL SHE LAY BLEEDING TO DEATH IN HIS ARMS.

He’s an idiot. Cosette doesn’t really do anything.

Oh, and I also don’t like them because they are pretty much the only people who survive the story.

So I’m really hoping that I’ve just interpreted Cosette badly, and that seeing her in the movie will lighten my opinion, but upon discussing it with my mother (whose first experience with the movie), Cosette is, as an adult, really not the most likeable character.

But I do urge all to find out for themselves. I’ve heard that the movie pretty much makes everyone cry.

~phan

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