VARGAS LLOSA EN LA TRASTIENDA DEL MUSAIN

La ley del azar o el orden de la casualidad
[···] ¿No es una coincidencia notable que uno de los "Amigos del A.B.C." —Laigle de Meaux— estuviera en la Facultad de Derecho cuando el profesor Blondeau pasaba lista y se le ocurriera decir "¡Presente!" al oír que llamaban a Marius, con lo que libró a este de la expulsión, y que el mismo Laigle de Meaux (AKA Bossuet) se halle en la puerta del café del Barrio Latino por el que pasa Marius, a quien nunca ha visto, (de cerca,) y lo reconozca por el bolsón que lleva? (III, IV, III, pp. 674-677). Esto sucede precisamente cuando Marius [···] no tiene adónde ir. Aquellas casualidades ponen al joven en contacto con Courfeyrac y los demás insurgentes y permiten que la novela incorpore a su intriga los temas de la rebeldía política y la revolución callejera.

Un mundo puritano
Además de quisquillosos, los monstruos (personajes) de Los Miserables suelen ser castos. [···] Pero en ninguna otra de sus novelas es la castidad un estado tan significativo en los personajes centrales como en Los Miserables, donde Jean Valjean, Javert y el líder de la barricada, Enjolras, lucen como seres asexuados y desinteresados de la mujer. Incluso quienes viven un amor intenso, Marius y Cosette, parecen vacunados contra el sexo, [···] El revolucionario Enjolras, que lidera la rebelión en la barricada de la Chanvrerie —un puro, un fanático republicano, un jacobino idealista—, ha prescindido del sexo, como si éste pudiera apartarlo del ideal y privarlo de recursos físicos y morales para el combate político. En las horas afiebradas de la barricada, su amigo Bossuet asegura que todos los compañeros que se baten con ellos tienen amantes y que su recuerdo los anima en este trance. Y añade: "Y bien, Enjolras no tiene mujer. No está enamorado y ha conseguido ser intrépido. Es algo inusitado que alguien sea frío como el hielo y duro como el hierro" (V, I, XIV, p. 1237). El narrador se encarga de corregir a Bossuet: Enjolras no tiene mujer, pero sí tiene una amante: la Patria. Las queridas abstractas a las que Jean Valjean y Javert (también) han sacrificado las mujeres de carne y hueso [···]

El fanático (Javert frente a Enjolras)
[···]
El momento de grandeza de Javert tiene lugar en la barricada de la Chanvrerie, en plena insurreción, donde asoma con más fuerza que nunca su naturaleza de monstruo. Reconocido por Gavroche, interrogado por Enjolras para saber si es mouchard (soplón), reconoce de inmediato ser "agente de la autoridad". El narrador precisa que el policía "levantaba la cabeza con la serenidad intrépida de quien nunca ha mentido" (IV, XII, p. 1137). El coraje de Javert no desmerece frente al de Enjolras. Cuando los insurrectos le advierten que será fusilado dos minutos antes de que la barricada caiga, les pregunta por qué no le ejecutan de una vez: "para no desperdiciar pólvora". "Entonces, háganlo de una puñalada". (IV, XII, p. 1137). Quisquilloso, no lo olvidemos, quiere decir orgulloso, soberbio. Aunque están en bandos enemigos, la mentalidad de Javert, pese a su espíritu estrecho, no es muy distinta de la de Enjolras, el revolucionario. No dudan, creen ciegamente en una verdad —en una justicia— a la que están dispuestos a sacrificar la vida, propia o ajena. Se trata de dos fanáticos, uno de derechas y otro de izquierdas.

Personajes colectivos
[···]
Los estudiantes revolucionarios del A.B.C. a los que se vincula Marius [···], funcionan también como un personaje colectivo, sobre todo al principio, cuando resulta muy difícil diferenciarlos. Enjolras, Combeferre, Jehan Prouvaire, Feuilly, Courfeyrac, Bahorel, Lesgle o Laigle, Joly y Grantaire son, hasta la barricada, poco menos que un solo ser de muchas caras, jóvenes inconformes nacidos en el Midi (la excepción es Laigle) y avecindados en París, donde practican los mismos ritos y comparten las mismas costumbres. El lector, al principio, lucha por distinguir lo que hay de específico en cada uno de ellos, además de los nombres; pronto advierte que es un empeño inútil, pues aunque, en apariencia, son varios, se trata de un solo ser diseminado en figuras que se complementan y acompasan en iniciativas, diálogos y comportamientos. Sólo más tarde, en la prueba de la barricada, el personaje colectivo experimenta un proceso de diversificación jerárquico, donde irán perfilándose tipos individuales más o menos independientes, entre los extremos que representan el republicano radical y líder, Enjolras, imbuido de ideas y de ideales, y el borracho Grantaire, pesimista y cínico, que se hace matar junto a aquel sólo por amistad.

El gesto, la belleza y la vida
[···]
La busca del efecto mediante gestos y desplantes inusitados está detrás de muchas iniciativas y conductas.
¿Hay algo más teatral que la muerte del bohemio Grantaire, que, mientras sus compañeros se preparan a luchar y morir por sus ideales, se emborracha alegremente, desinteresado de toda aquella excitación justiciera, pero que, cuando despierta entre nubes de alcohol, no tiene el menor empacho en hacerse fusilar —sólo por amistad— junto al Enjolras que idolatra? Todas las muertes de la novela son efectistas, algunas cinematográficas, como las de Gavroche, [···] y Enjolras en la barricada, y otras marcadas por el sino de la tragedia clásica, como la de Fantine en el hospital de Montreuil-sur-Mer, o la de Jean Valjean en su casita de la rue de l'Homme Armé. También es trágica —raciniana— la muerte de Javert, hundiéndose en el abismo líquido de los remolinos del Sena.

La sociedad rehecha
[···] En la novela hay más ociosos que trabajadores [···]. Abundan [···], los estudiantes bohemios o los jóvenes insurrectos, conspiradores del A.B.C., que viven o malviven de sus familias, de su ingenio y picardía, o como Marius [···], de trabajos vagos y circunstanciales (en su caso, traducciones). A la única persona que vemos trabajar de principio a fin es a Javert, el perfecto funcionario. [···] Una sociedad donde, por lo mismo, hay más consumidores que productores. Entre  aquellos (los consumidores) debemos incluir [···], a los estudiantes y bohemios, a los revolucionarios y a los funcionarios, a los militares y a los marginales. De este conglomerado de seres pasivos y ancilares, a quienes la sociedad mantiene a las buenas o a las malas, salen los héroes de la novela, [···]

IN WHICH MORE OF KAPPARD'S PAST SURFACES

Star*Twinkle Pretty Cure - Episode 45
My Own Review
IN WHICH MORE OF KAPPARD'S PAST SURFACES

It’s been a bit of a longer wait than usual, but subs for episode 45 of Star ☆ Twinkle have finally emerged.

Seems like there are a couple of scenes in this episode that just linger on Hikaru walking in the rain - PS. Is that me or has Fuwa's unihorn grown a tad?

With the other girls having managed to find their Twinkle Imaginations over the past few episodes, Hikaru is feeling less than stellar about not finding her own. A visit to the observatory and a battle against Kappard soon see things changing for Hikaru, though.

Hikaru visits the observatory - PS. Ryoutaro confirmed NOT to be Santa... still he reminds me of RR Martin or Dumbledore ;) 

This is very much Hikaru’s episode, particularly because she has yet to find her Twinkle Imagination. It is something that she is all too aware of. Lala is far more open with her classmates, and both Elena and Madoka are putting some serious consideration into their futures. Hikaru is still just Hikaru, though. The rare book-smart shoujo protagonist, who seems to have Asperger's as the icing on the cake.

More of Hikaru just walking in the rain - and Fuwa's unihorn

https://prettycure.fandom.com/wiki/STPC45/Image_Gallery

(Insert the hoshino family + ryoutaro flashback from STPC45 image gallery here)

Serving as a villain of the week (and possibly for the last time, as well) is Kappard, who goes after Hikaru alone.

Kappard’s ultimate weapon (or so he claims) - a crescent spade just like the one of Sha Wujing/Sha Gojo, the kappa in Journey to the West!

You know things are serious in a PreCure series when you don’t get the usual music for the transformation scene. That’s exactly what happens with Cure Star vs. Kappard. Cure Star doesn’t exactly have the best showing against her foe; probably not helped by still being unsure of herself.

Cure Star struggles to hold back Kappard’s attack

Of course Cure Star isn’t going to have an easy time against Kappard; she has to overcome some kind of trial before she can achieve what the other members of this season's PreCure ensemble have done.

Cure Milkyway protects Hikaru

As is par for the course for these types of episodes, the rest of the team don’t show up until the very last moment. Doesn’t stop Kappard from giving his “you have such a comfortable life you know nothing of pain” speech, during which some light is shed on what happened to his home planet.

The rain water on Earth reminds Kappard of his home

Kappard's home had the finest resources

 Kappard being reminded of the tragedy

 Kappard believes his species's good intentions led to his planet's downfall

Everything was taken away from Kappard's planet

Of course, Lala’s response to Kappard’s words --that he can befriend earthlings, has he tried that approach before?-- are enough for Hikaru to pick herself up, and we get the normal transformation sequence.

Cure Star is back

So, just like the others, Cure Star’s experience her is just what she needs to go through to find her Twinkle Imagination. Kappard stands no chance against her once she is back in the fray, though all Cure Star wants to do is understand him a little more. Even reaching out post-defeat (defeat means friendship in these anime, after all)

There’s no opportunity for that, as Kappard is forcefully returned to Darknest.

Just like the other Twinkle Imagination episodes before it, this was a good one. All five girls have finally achieved their goals, which must mean we are getting really close to the end.
A great episode for Hikaru.

Next time, darkness descends… the finale begins... and ssssuspicionssss, theoriesssss, are confirmed...

MY OWN HUMBLE OPINION:

You know nothing of Kappard;

all my kin have died of thirst,

only I came through alive...

I know everything of pain...

(Javert filk seemed mandatory, right?)

IN WHICH YUNI MEETS OLD ACQUAINTANCES

Star*Twinkle Pretty Cure
Episode 38 - My Own Review
IN WHICH YUNI MEETS OLD ACQUAINTANCES


Star ☆ Twinkle gets its plot back on course with episode thirty-eight, as Yuni has an idea about where they can go in the search for Twinkle Imagination.

Hikaru and company arrive on a fortune-telling planet

With zero leads in their search for Twinkle Imagination, Yuni suggests they pay a visit to a fortune teller on another planet in hopes of being sent down the right path. Yuni also crosses paths with Ayewan once more.

Hakenyan appears

One of the major characters in this episode is Hakenyan, a visually-impaired old Rainbowian fortune teller and the person that Yuni believes will lead PreCures towards some Twinkle Imagination. Hakenyan looks familiar, and this episode shows just why that is later on.

Excellent expressions here

Ayewan

Also playing an important role in this episode is Ayewan. We get a little of her past in this episode, and it shows she was homeless as a child – though we don’t get the specifics of how that came about. Either way, seeing Hakenyan does not make her happy.

Yuni sought out Hakenyan after losing her planet

This episode spends quite a fair chunk of time exploring the past, which is by no means a bad thing. It gives us some insight into both Yuni and Ayewan, and how they both feel that they lost everything at the hands of the other. It also shows that Yuni’s appearance as Bakenyan was based on the younger Hakenyan, and how she ended up working with Ayewan.

 

Eyewone Robot - model 23

Of course Ayewan is the villain of the week this time around, and Cure Cosmos has to take her on by herself to begin with. Whilst I would have liked to see a one-on-one fight, that wasn’t the case. Much easier to fill the runtime when you’re using quite a bit of stock footage, after all.

Cure Cosmos has an epiphany whilst fighting Ayewan

The fight in this episode brings along some rather important developments, particularly when it comes to Yuni and Ayewan’s relationship. It also happens to be a step forward for everyone else as well.
Overall, I’d call this an excellent episode of Star ☆ Twinkle. We delved a bit into the past of both Yuni and Ayewan, finally had them realise they aren’t so different and managed to take a step forward in the search for Twinkle Imagination.
I was always going to enjoy a Yuni-focused episode regardless, but I’m really happy with what we got out of this one.
Ideally the show can keep up this kind of strength as the other girls find their Twinkle Imagination – and it is entirely possible that Elena may be the next to do so.
Even if that’s not the case, the next episode is one that focuses on her, so it is one to look forward to.



MY OWN HUMBLE OPINION:
Of course with last episode showcasing the Kappa Genocide, it appears that CADRES WILL GET FOCUS EPISODES!! (Raise a glass!) And now the turn comes to our favourite deranged cyclopette, whom we see as a child for the first time... also, was there some war between Rainbowians and cyclops that caused Ayewan to resent them for her precarious social standing? (This headcanon could lead to some pretty interesting theories that lead to something deeper than kismesissitude Valjean-Javert style...)
Ayewan the gamine: we know that Bilberry in KiraKira à la Mode was an orphan gamine too... and even wore a riding hood as well (maybe this garment is shorthand for "streetrat" in a contemporary setting anime?)
Hakenyan: So Yuni was NOT the sole survivor of the storming of Rainbow, right?
Mentors fated to... not to see their mentées' success: ***MENTOR OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD; Hakenyan theory...
Why are so many seers visually impaired? From Teiresias onwards... The Blind Seer is an old archetype. They are visually impaired, and yet they can see more than we can. This seems to be a recurring theme in mythology; Justice is blind, Odin plucked out an eye to gain knowledge, and the Graeae or Gray Sisters had only had one eyeball between three of them. Time and time again, the sacrifice of eyesight is shown to result in greater cosmic knowledge.

A special case of Disability Superpower, often demonstrated with Prophet Eyes. Blindfolds are another favorite.

PS. It seems that the next episode will come in mid-November, after one of those week-long hiatuses... Also, angryanimeb*tches has dropped Star*Twinkle for episode reviews.

IN WHICH YUNI GOES FULL-ON CARMEN SANDIEGO

Star*Twinkle Pretty Cure - Episode 36
My Own Review
IN WHICH YUNI GOES FULL-ON CARMEN SANDIEGO

The thirty-sixth episode of Star ☆ Twinkle is one that puts Yuni – or more specifically, her alter-ego the Blue Cat – into the spotlight. A character who appears in the Star ☆ Twinkle film also makes her debut her, too.

Just Yuni chowing down on a doughnut

In this episode, Lala’s AI informs everyone that an octopoid alien mafia boss by the name of Don Octo Polpone has obtained a ring from the planet Rainbow. Yuni is determined to take it back, so she and the others sneak into Don Octo’s base. Besides the alien mafia, the Blue Cat also has to contend with an inspector from the Starscape Alliance.

Mary Anne

Making her debut in this episode is spaniel furry Starscape Police inspector, Mary Anne. She also appears in the upcoming Star ☆ Twinkle film, even pulling out a Miracle Light at one point. She’s on board Don Octo’s ship as a spy, but she dreams of pursuing bigger cases; such as catching the Blue Cat. Looks like Ayewan is not the only wan with Javertian ambitions surrounding our catgirl (ps. wan is also the onomatopoeia woof or ruff in Japanese).

The Fuwa Mafia

A lesson that this particular episode is very keen to teach is that stealing is bad. Remember your Eighth Commandment? The thing is, Yuni’s motivations for stealing back the ring from Don Octo are totally sound, and I’m on her side. 

Yuni manages to obtain the ring from Don Octo

Fortunately, Yuni is not deterred by her crew’s objections. I’m glad to see Yuni stick to her convictions, and even more so because that means we are getting to see more Blue Cat.

Don Octo captures Blue Cat and Mary Anne

Of course our Blue Cat has to deal with the mafia after stealing the ring from Don Octo, and the situation is only further complicated when Mary Anne reveals she is with the police. The mafia aren’t too happy about that, but the Blue Cat decides to help her out when she gets into trouble – doesn’t really work out for either of them in the end, though.

Don Octo Polpone is transformed by Tenjou

Can’t have an episode without the KNotraiders getting involved, and it is Tenjou who does so this time around. Of course, Mary Anne quickly discovers that Blue Cat is actually a PreCure following that.

Cosmos blushes as her friends praise her

The fight in this episode has its fair share of great moments. Soleil protecting Selene is one, but everyone just complimenting Cosmos is definitely the highlight; they all just say she is pretty much tsundere.

Cosmos’s goofy face here is great

After the fight, everything resolves itself in pretty typical PreCure fashion – though Yuni does tell the others she will steal if necessary. She’ll just make sure to not endanger everyone else.

This was a great episode of Star ☆ Twinkle, and that all pretty much comes down to Yuni. The previous episodes did maybe have a decent moment here or there, but this one is definitely an improvement.
It helps that I like Yuni a lot, so of course an episode that focuses on her is going to be one that I enjoy. The whole concept of it was fun though, and it was a pretty good introduction to one of the characters who shall be appearing in the upcoming film. Hopefully we’ll get a little more of the rivalry between Blue Cat and Mary Anne outside of the film as well.

Next time the fun looks set to continue as everyone dresses up for Halloween.

MY OWN HUMBLE OPINION:

Not long ago I had a common cold and was bedridden with a fever, a runny nose, and a laptop on which to stream the whole Netflix Carmen Sandiego. What can I say? (Especially about PaperStar and Gunnar Malström...) Intrigue, excitement, edutainment, and a righteous heroine who, just like Yuni, steals from the corrupt in the name of higher causes.

IN WHICH AYEWAN TAKES THE DEEPEST PLUNGE

Star*Twinkle Pretty Cure - Episode 27
My Own Review
IN WHICH AYEWAN TAKES THE DEEPEST PLUNGE

(angryanimeb*tches)

(will there be a hallofanimefame review?)

I noted last time how the opening animation had changed to reflect Cure Cosmos joining the team, but there was also something else that I failed to notice last time. When the shot of the villains comes up, Ayewan is wearing a riding hood – I wonder if that particularly signifies anything.

Who knows, perhaps this episode will provide an answer.

OK, Purunce showing off for Yanyan was pretty funny

After Lala’s starship was damaged for the umpteenth time during a battle, PreCures travel to the home planet of Yanyan in order to get their transportation fixed. Before that, though, they explore the underwater planet of Bubblepool.


Ayewan also appears, intent on getting revenge on Yuni for deceiving her.

Cure MerCures and Yanyan

In something of an unusual twist, this episode gives us two different sets of transformation sequences. Of course, we get the usual PreCure transformation for the villain-of-the week fight, but Yanyan’s morphpearls also give us a sequence where the girls transform into mermaids.

Does that make MerYuni a catfish? :3

Hikaru and Yuni

Merfolk have been quite a common theme throughout PreCure. For a start, Go! Princess gave us Cure Mermaid (AKA Minami Kaido), but I can also recall seeing them in Maho Girls and Hugtto!. Not that I mind, considering we get to see some quite interesting underwater sights.

Ayewan

The antagonist for this episode is Ayewan, who says she is no longer with the KNotraiders. In fact, she has nowhere to go, and seems to be jealous of Yuni who has found a place for herself.
Perhaps Yuni, or the other members of our PreCure crew, could start steering Ayewan towards the path of redemption.

Ayewanbot 16

No 'triggers from Ayewan this time; instead, she transforms the stolen spacecraft she is using. As these things tend to be, Ayewan has some things to say about Cure Cosmos. Naturally, Cosmos’s allies are there to rebuke Ayewan’s claims, and the fight ends in typical fashion.

Huh, its like we’re in the middle of an arc or something. The past few episodes have all been directly connected; I can’t help but think that this is leading up to the acquisition of the last two Princess Star Colour Pens, and the inevitable confrontation against Darknest.
Darknest might seem like the big-bad final boss for the moment, but I feel like there could be something far darker lurking behind the scenes (ie a Man/Woman/Entity Behind the Overlord)…

As for this episode, it was a good one. The mermaid transformation was a fun touch, though I think it would have been pretty funny had they gone with Hikaru’s initial idea for transforming into something that could breathe underwater.

The mermaid stuff was fun, but the most important aspect of this episode has to be the stuff concerning Yuni and Ayewan. Ayewan is no longer with the KNotraiders, though she is still very much an enemy to PreCures.
Hoping to see that change, even if just gradually.

Seems like the wrecked starship will finally be repaired in the next episode. Seems that Elena and Madoka have particularly important roles to play, too. (HOPE THERE ARE INTENSE SOLUNA MOMENTS...)

MY OWN HUMBLE OPINION:
So the quest for Lala's homeworld is growing into a feuilleton -- if a four-parter can be called one. It began in episode 26 and will conclude in episode 29: encompassing four parts in total.

Purunyan or Yance? Purunce and Yanyan are another pairing...
It is either Valjean or Jav-... well, either Yuni/Cosmos or Ayewan! ... (on this scenario)



NEXT EPISODE (28)

ONE SPOOF MORE

One spoof more,

another Misérables parody,

another retelling in funny key,

This book, this show, this product line

retold just for the umpteenth time!

One spoof more...

LESS MISERABLE SUMMER

This summer, Les Misérables will hit Europe on DVD!
Guess who's gonna buy the film?
To celebrate such an event, I will give my review of The Film of Last Winter (this review contains SPOILERS, so read at your own risk if you're not familiar with the plot!):

Jean Valjean with little Cosette in his arms.

A reformed convict, hunted down by national authorities in spite of his change of heart, takes an abused orphaned child under his wing, then turns the waif into a "beautiful person". A decade later, the adopted child falls in love with a young person on a higher rung of the social ladder. The lovers, after the violent death of a potential rival, marry and live happily ever after, while the "fairy-godsire-convict" dies a painful death.
While Hugo was writing the national epic of modern France, Dickens published Great Expectations, a story remarkably similar to Les Misérables (the only difference is the gender of the adopted child: unlike Cosette, Pip is male).
Valjean, the convict, is played by Hugh Jackman: Wolverine in the X-Men trilogy (and the Easter Bunny in Rise of the Guardians). The part of Valjean has attained, on the French stage and screen, a reputation like that of Hamlet or Romeo: actors such as Gérard Depardieu (AKA Obelix!) have given life to such a vibrant and complex character. Like Cassio's story in Othello, Jean Valjean's is one of redress, but darker and more mature than the young lieutenant's (it stretches across decades, rather than lasting a week). The most interesting thing about Valjean, IMHO, is how a good deed (he could have been betrayed by Monsignor, who gave him the silverware plus the candlesticks!) erased all the hatred and spite that he harboured after twenty years of imprisonment. This good deed was the turning point: there could be no plot without it.
Jackman could have won the Oscar for Best Male Lead, but, malheureusement, it went to Abe Lincoln. Plain Abe Lincoln, not the Vampire Hunter.

Russell Crowe as Javert.

Russell Crowe in a blue coat with epaulets? Remember Aubrey from Master and Commander? (He is certainly dashing, with that blond ponytail of his, plus such a uniform!)

Anyway, no matter if as a French or British officer, Crowe looks good in uniform, he looks good in blue, and his baritone singing voice is beyond comparison (actually, he wanted the part of Javert so much that he trained his vocal cords on purpose). Listen!


To clear a common misconception, Javert is not evil. He is as evil as Lafeu in All's Well, a Nazi officer (let's say Lieutenant Kotler), or the good cops in slasher films. He's just a slave to the system. And a devout Catholic, taught by his guardian that good people are good, bad people are bad, and neither can change at all. No surprise that he snaps upon discovering that Valjean really has reformed (when the "criminal" sets him free and saves his life from the revolutionaries)!
So, why has he spent decades rising through the ranks of the National Guard in tireless pursuit of Valjean (like Ahab after Moby Dick, Iago after Cassio, or the coyote after the roadrunner)?
A memorable scene or two: when he tries to infiltrate the barricade in civilian garb. Enjolras lets him in (so naive!), but a certain illiterate streetrat reveals his true identity. Then, when Gavroche is killed, Javert tries to hold back his tears and places a medal on his wounded chest.
To sum up: An interesting character, played by an interesting actor. The only con: that blue coat betrays Crowe's slightly increasing waistline.

Madame Thénardier and her soused spouse.

The real bad guys: Helena Bonham-Carter (the Queen of Hearts in 2010 Alice, Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Pirelli in Sweeney Todd) team up as the devious Thénardiers, owners of the "Sergeant at Waterloo" inn and Cosette's abusive foster parents. Their rather catchy leitmotif hovers between ominousness and playfulness.

They're established as both chaotic villains and comic relief, much like Iago, right from the start. And even though the Cohen-Carter tandem trades the sergeant's uniform for a satin waistcoat and the holly hair dec for an elegant parure, they fail in their attempt to crash Cosette's and Marius's wedding, and they are whisked away by servants while singing their song with different lyrics. 

In short: wicked, but funny. Their antics (especially, during the wedding crash attempt) made me laugh.

Éponine Thénardier, yet another star-crossed lover.

The Thénardier children: are they illegitimate, actually? 'Cause Gavroche, the "littlest revolutionary", is willing to risk his life to help those on his side. But it's big sis Éponine who takes the cake: upon coming of age, she completely changes from wicked stepsister to tragic heroine: she takes a bullet meant for the heart of the one she loves, in spite of the fact that Marius sees her as a friend and prefers Cosette. The first martyr of the revolution is played by a young and promising Samantha Barks, who really gets inside her character.

Enjolras: a true leader, and the one I loved.

Enjolras: leader of a rag-tag team of university students, craftspeople and streetrats against the Royal Army and the National Guard. He's cool. He's charming. Though he's somewhat naive (letting a disguised Javert in), but aren't all great leaders so?

When they shot him dead in the heat of the final battle, I couldn't even speak!

Played by another young talent, Aaron Kyle Tveit, Enjolras was the main reason why I left the cinema singing "Red and Black" while daydreaming.