Character Analysis: Fantine, Les Miserables

 Fantine

In Les Miserables cinematography is used to display Fantine as a troubled character who has to endure lots of suffering. Fantine has limited screen time due to her early death in the movie which sets up the rest of the film due to her significance. 

Fantine is played by Anne Hathaway who gives an incredible performance which resulted in her winning the best supporting actress Oscar. One scene in particular which captures the struggles she has suffered through is when she sings ‘I Dreamed a Dream’. This raw display of emotion is exceptional. In this scene, as well as the rest of the film, Fantine is placed in the right of the frame never in the centre. In this scene I feel this is done to reflect how she is out of control of her life, especially after being fired from her old job. We see her fall apart as before we were unaware that she struggled so much not until it was revealed she had a child. I think the two most impactful parts of this scene is her eyes and her voice. The vulnerability in her voice is evident. The power behind it contrasts the weakness she feels in life due to who she is. Her incredible voice paired with the parts when she shouts emphasis these moments as she can let out her frustrations with the world even though she cannot say them to the people she would like to. 

 

The unbalanced frame could show that she has lost stability in her life as she has lost her job and has fallen ill. As well as this the medium close up further makes her appear vulnerable especially since we are watching such an intimate moment. 

 

After her hair is cut off the camera is positioned at a high angle which makes her seem weak and to illustrate that she has lost herself. As well as this the Dutch angle creates a feeling of uneasiness in the spectator this could sort of foreshadow the uneasy times that are coming. The handheld camera further emphasises this feeling. 

 

There is a slight cyclical structure which is done through framing. At the start of the film Fantine appears in centre frame a few times. However, as the film progresses, and she loses her job she then is framed off centre predominately. Towards the end of her screentime as she is dying, she starts to be centred more central. I feel this is done to highlight that she has come to terms with dying and has expected her faith. The now balanced frame could illustrate she has now found stability in death. Although a tragic end we feel that she now has peace. We see this in the last scene of the movie when Valjean is dying and Fantine is there to welcome him. This act shows the gratitude that Fantine has for Valjean as he took care of Cosette. I feel this was the perfect end for Fantine to show that she has found harmony and is free of suffering.