(EW.com) -- Since everything about Les Misérables is fortissimo — including but not limited to its unabashed pursuit of awards that are shiny or globular or both — you have perhaps already heard a little about the movie now storming the Bastille of your wallet. 

You may already know that to make his movie adaptation of the internationally popular theatrical musical conjured from the 19th-century political novel by Victor Hugo, director Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) bade his actors sing live during filming. You probably already know that Anne Hathaway, as the wretched single mother-turned-prostitute Fantine, is reputedly a formidable Oscar favorite for her sobbing and warbling and haircutting-in-real-time. You've learned, from posters and trailers, that Hugh Jackman, as former convict Jean Valjean, looks impressively stricken and that Russell Crowe, as implacable police inspector Javert, looks disconcertingly dyspeptic. 

What's left to learn is this: Les Misérables provides compelling reasons for Crowe to be peeved, beginning with the humiliation of having to sing Broadway-style, when it clearly is so not his thing, and ending with the Cap'n Crunch wardrobe into which the gentleman is packed. (O, for Crowe's costumed glory days in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World!) Jackman has a right to be cranky too, although he's too much of a trouper to show it as he overemotes on demand and sings of finding God after he steals a pair of candlesticks from a nice priest. (Long story.) Hathaway looks happy enough channeling Liza Minnelli for her tremulous rendition of the Susan Boyle-appropriated anthem ''I Dreamed a Dream,'' but that's no doubt because she knows that soon after the song, she's pretty much done for the night. 
Who wrote the original political novel which Les Mis is based off of?
Who is directing the movie?
What else did he direct?
What did he ask of his actors?
Who plays Fantine?
What song does she perform?
Which award is she a favorite for?
Who plays a convict?
Is the author of the article impressed with his looks?
Which other actor was the author not so impressed with?
Which part did he play?
What does the author say is "not his thing"?
in which style?
How did the author describe his costume?
In which movie did she prefer his wardrobe?
Is the movie expected to win several awards?
Who does the author say Anne Hathaway is channeling?
Does her character have a major part afterwards?
On what website was this article published?
Which character cuts hair on stage?
Victor Hugo
novel by Victor Hugo
Tom Hooper
director Tom Hooper
The King's Speech
 director Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) 
to sing live
bade his actors sing live
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway, as the wretched single mother-turned-prostitute Fantine
I Dreamed a Dream
anthem ''I Dreamed a Dream,'
an Oscar
 formidable Oscar favorite
Hugh Jackman
 Hugh Jackman, as former convict Jean Valjean,
yes
looks impressively stricken
Russell Crowe
Crowe to be peeved, beginning with the humiliation of having to sing Broadway-style, when it clearly is so not his thing,
police inspector Javert
Russell Crowe, as implacable police inspector Javert,
having to sing
 having to sing Broadway-style, when it clearly is so not his thing
Broadway-style
having to sing Broadway-style
Like Cap'n Crunch
Cap'n Crunch wardrobe
in Master and Commander
Crowe's costumed glory days in Master and Commander
yes
its unabashed pursuit of awards that are shiny or globular or both 
Liza Minnelli
 channeling Liza Minnelli
she's pretty much done for the night.
she's pretty much done for the night. 
EW.com
EW.com
Fantine
 Fantine, is reputedly a formidable Oscar favorite for her sobbing and warbling and haircutting