Les Misérables
Jean Valjean, known as Prisoner 24601, is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert. Set in post-revolutionary France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June Rebellion.
Despite a mid-range budget of $61.0M, Les Misérables became a massive hit, earning $442.6M worldwide—a remarkable 626% return.
3 Oscars. 85 wins & 177 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Les Misérables (2012) showcases deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Tom Hooper's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 9-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Jean Valjean
Javert
Fantine
Cosette
Marius Pontmercy
Éponine
Thénardier
Madame Thénardier
Enjolras
Main Cast & Characters
Jean Valjean
Played by Hugh Jackman
A former convict who breaks parole to rebuild his life and seeks redemption through acts of compassion and sacrifice.
Javert
Played by Russell Crowe
A ruthless police inspector obsessed with law and order who relentlessly pursues Valjean for breaking parole.
Fantine
Played by Anne Hathaway
A factory worker forced into prostitution to support her daughter, representing the suffering of the oppressed.
Cosette
Played by Amanda Seyfried
Fantine's daughter, rescued from abuse by Valjean and raised as his own, who grows into a compassionate young woman.
Marius Pontmercy
Played by Eddie Redmayne
An idealistic young revolutionary who falls in love with Cosette while fighting for social justice.
Éponine
Played by Samantha Barks
The Thénardiers' daughter who is secretly in love with Marius and sacrifices herself to protect him.
Thénardier
Played by Sacha Baron Cohen
A greedy, unscrupulous innkeeper and con artist who exploits others for personal gain.
Madame Thénardier
Played by Helena Bonham Carter
Thénardier's cruel and opportunistic wife who abuses Cosette as a child.
Enjolras
Played by Aaron Tveit
The charismatic and passionate leader of the student revolutionaries fighting for freedom and justice.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean, labors in chains alongside other convicts, hauling a massive ship into dry dock while singing "Look Down." He is a broken man defined by his crime, dehumanized by nineteen years of imprisonment.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
At 79 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat General Lamarque dies, and the students declare "The time is near!" The revolution begins as they build the barricade. This is a false victory—the students believe their moment has come, but they are vastly outmatched. The stakes shift from personal drama to life and death., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 119 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The barricade falls in a devastating final assault. Gavroche, Enjolras, and all the students are killed. The revolution is crushed. Valjean carries the wounded, unconscious Marius into the sewers—the only survivor of the idealistic young men who dreamed of a new world., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 126 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Marius recovers and marries Cosette. Valjean, having given Cosette away and revealed his past to Marius, retreats to die alone in the convent. Marius learns from Thénardier that Valjean saved his life. He and Cosette rush to find Valjean on his deathbed., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Les Misérables's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 9 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Les Misérables against these established plot points, we can identify how Tom Hooper utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Les Misérables within the drama genre.
Tom Hooper's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Tom Hooper films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Les Misérables takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tom Hooper filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Tom Hooper analyses, see The King's Speech, The Danish Girl.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean, labors in chains alongside other convicts, hauling a massive ship into dry dock while singing "Look Down." He is a broken man defined by his crime, dehumanized by nineteen years of imprisonment.
Worldbuilding
We witness Valjean's release on parole, his rejection by society as a dangerous convict, his theft from the Bishop, and his transformative encounter with mercy. The world of post-revolutionary France is established as brutal and unforgiving to the poor.
Resistance
Eight years pass. Valjean has become Mayor Madeleine and a factory owner. We meet Fantine, who works in his factory and is fired. Javert arrives as the new police inspector, recognizing something familiar in Valjean. Fantine's desperate descent—selling her hair, teeth, and body—unfolds.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Valjean and Cosette build a life together in Paris over nine years. The story expands to include the revolutionary students—Marius, Enjolras, and the Friends of the ABC. Grown Cosette and Marius fall in love at first sight. Éponine pines for Marius. The political unrest builds toward rebellion.
Midpoint
General Lamarque dies, and the students declare "The time is near!" The revolution begins as they build the barricade. This is a false victory—the students believe their moment has come, but they are vastly outmatched. The stakes shift from personal drama to life and death.
Opposition
The barricade is built and first attacks are repelled. Valjean joins to protect Marius. Javert infiltrates as a spy and is captured. Valjean spares Javert's life rather than execute him. The army surrounds the barricade. Éponine dies in Marius's arms. The revolutionaries realize no reinforcements are coming.
Collapse
The barricade falls in a devastating final assault. Gavroche, Enjolras, and all the students are killed. The revolution is crushed. Valjean carries the wounded, unconscious Marius into the sewers—the only survivor of the idealistic young men who dreamed of a new world.
Crisis
Valjean carries Marius through the hellish Paris sewers, wading through filth and death. He encounters Thénardier robbing corpses, then emerges to face Javert once more. Javert, unable to reconcile Valjean's mercy with his rigid worldview, releases him and then commits suicide.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Marius recovers and marries Cosette. Valjean, having given Cosette away and revealed his past to Marius, retreats to die alone in the convent. Marius learns from Thénardier that Valjean saved his life. He and Cosette rush to find Valjean on his deathbed.