As someone who can only enjoy movies by making loudly sassy comments to the person to her right and accidentally laughing during any sentimental part of the film, “Les Miserables” was a challenge for me to get through, a challenge, however, well worth it.

Almost every word was sung, making viewers feel slightly uncomfortable when words were actually spoken. The musical aspect, however, greatly added to the deep emotional significance of the film. Though I personally would have preferred an all-out rap battle in which the rebels attempted to overthrow the French, the incredible yet surprising vocal skill from Anne Hathaway and former Mean Girl Amanda Seyfriend did the job.

Despite Seyfried’s great success in capturing her audience’s attention and portraying the struggle of Cassette, an orphan rescued by former thief turned businessman Jean Valjean, I couldn’t help but reflect on her performance as Karen in the film “Mean Girls.” As she dramatically stared into her dying fathers’ eyes, I could only hear 2005 Seyfried whisper, “if you’re from Africa, why are you white?” in my ear.

Anne Hathaway’s performance as Fantine, the mother of Casette, a woman struggling to find money to send to her daughter, was heart wrenching on a level comparable to a thousand ASPCA commercials playing at once. Hugh Jackman’s acting was inspiring and made viewers relate to his struggle for redemption, as he played Jean Valjean, a man being released from jail after years of being imprisoned for stealing a piece of bread. The main antagonist, Javert, played by Russell Crowe, was done in a way that left viewers conflicted about how they felt about him by the end of the film while also leaving middle aged women raving about his “rugged” good looks.

The beauty of the film wasn’t just evident in the obvious level of seriousness the actors took with their roles or the incredible cinematography capturing every moment of the movie with a sense of care and appreciation, but it was primarily apparent in the audience’s reaction. The room was silent aside from the occasional person who’d seen the movie so many times they sang every lyric to a song, the loud chuckles at the rare comedic moments or the rather abundant sniffles at sentimental moments.  And I, the movie Grinch found my heart grow three sizes that day, keeping my sassy comments and cynical giggles to myself in respect for cinematic beauty of “Les Miserables.”