Jean Valjean received a number of 24601 as a comment from the prison, in which after 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread and several failed escape attempts, he finally received his parole granted by the police inspector in charge named Javert. 24601’s parole is a warning to let people know that he is an ex-convict. He has been shunned by the society that he started to starve, but suddenly a bishop let him stay in his house. But 24601 is still 24601, he was caught red-handed for stealing the cutlery and he claimed it was given to him. Unexpectedly, Bishop Myriel shows some mercy that he even lies just to protect him. 24601 felt ashamed and asked for repentance, Bishop Myriel encouraged him to become a better person. 24601 broke his parole and began living as Monsieur Madeleine. After 8 years, he became Monsieur le Mayor where Fantine worked. Fantine had a child and was caught by her co-workers, in which she got to the point of losing her job and even asking her Monsieur’s help but they wouldn’t let her. Javert, on the other hand, met 24601 as Monsieur Madeleine and became suspicious of him. M. Madeleine decided to face his past as Jean Valjean, owner of 24601. Therefore, when Valjean saw Fantine that she was in need, Javert set out to catch him. Fantine even told Valjean that she asks him for help but she didn’t notice her.
So, as payment, Valjean promised Fantine that he would find her daughter named Cossette and take care of her. Soon Fantine died and Valjean did as he promised. He found Cossette and even negotiated just to take her and become her father. Javert, on the other hand, was just as eager to catch 24601. And for Cossette’s sake, Valjean didn’t tell the truth that he was an ex-con and kept it a secret. From places to places is how they hide from Javert. Years ago, Cossette now became a mademoiselle who captured the heart of her man named Marius. When Valjean caught him, he decided to join the law students’ revolution against the government, to save Marius from death. At the barricade, he had given him the opportunity to kill Javert, but he did not do it, instead letting him go free and pretending that he had killed him to gain the trust of the students. When the soldiers attacked his barricade, Marius was seriously injured. Valjean carried him to take him to a doctor, but Javert saw them, Valjean begged him to let them through for Marius’ sake. When Marius recovers and the revolution ends, Valjean talks to him and confesses his secret from the past that he was ex-con 24601. Valjean begs Marius not to say anything to Cossette and let her know that he is on a journey. long instead of letting him know that he got away from them. On his wedding day, Marius discovered that Valjean was the savior of his life and was deeply ill. He took his wife to see Valjean at her last moment to thank him. Jean Valjean was relieved to see his lovely Cossette and Marius, which gave him reason enough to let him go and bid him a last goodbye.
The death of Jean Valjean means that his sufferings have come to an end and he has finally obtained the freedom he has long aspired to. Jean Valjean symbolizes the love, compassion and regret that can motivate another person. In which, most of us lived in a miserable life, where some could not bear the pain and things to end their lives, but Jean Valjean shows that there is another way to live, but you must encourage yourself to forgive and love your enemies. Life is bitter to live, so we need to find some sugar to balance it.
The film is not only a film that provides entertainment in the eyes of the public, but it is a film that generates an impact on the viewer and many lessons that can be applied in real life situations. The scenes and events of the film are well organized and well presented, where it was very easy to follow the flow of the story and identify the characters that had been played by the actors, actresses and even extras. The film gives hope to all aspects of our lives and makes us feel that we are part of the story.
