Jean Valjean (M) – 99 minutes

This is the dramatic back story to the key character in one of the most iconic books written, namely Victor Hugo’s 1862 French historical novel Les Misérables.

I speak of Jean Valjean (played magnificently by Grégory Gadebois).

It is December 1815 and having spent 19 brutal years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread and repeatedly trying to escape, he emerges consumed by rage. 

Tired and hungry, having walked for days, he reports to the police in a quiet village in Provence.

The news of his presence quickly spreads.

He is shunned and shamed by all, until he is found slumped and sleeping on rocks in a graveyard by an old woman.

She suggests he looks for refuge in a house down the road, which he does. 

It is there, in what turns out to be the home of the Bishop (Bernard Campan) that he discovers the unexpected – kindness, the likes of which he has never experienced.

The Bishop, who lives with his ailing, but devoted sister (Isabelle Carré) and their maid (Alexandra Lamy), not only invites him in, but offers him food and shelter.

Mind you, the maid is deeply resentful and fearful of this intruder and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

Given his history, it is not surprising that, at first, Jean Valjean simply looks at how he can take advantage of the position in which he finds himself.

That means using violence and stealing from the good Samaritan that rescued him.

In fact, he is driven to robbing the household of valuable silverware.

It is only after the Bishop not only forgives him, but goes over and above that, that the former’s act of grace sparks Jean Valjean’s profound transformation. 

Writer and director Éric Besnard has crafted a compelling origin story, which details the background to not only Jean Valjean, but the Bishop.

Indeed, the Bishop’s own life took an extraordinary turn upon losing the love of his life and explains why he treated Jean Valjean as no others had.

It is potent, unrelenting, dour characterisation of the prisoner of nearly two decades by Grégory Gadebois, a performance of quality and depth.

Jean Valjean’s years of toil and hard labour are written all over Gadebois’ face. 

In contrast, Bernard Campan is disarming as his “saviour” and Isabelle Carré accepting as the Bishop’s sister.

The “dagger”, hateful eyes of the maid speaks volumes.

Éric Besnard takes his time in unravelling all the threads in this tale of woe, creating a series of strong characters in the process. 

He is aided in his endeavours by Laurent Dailland’s moody cinematography and an evocative score from Christophe Julien.

Also worthy of note is the production design by Bertrand Seitz and Madeline Fontaine’s costuming.

Rated M, Jean Valjean, the movie, is an engaging companion piece to the familiar Les Misérables and scores a 7½ out of 10.