6. Lack of Dialogue
Again, this is something that will appeal mainly to fans, but speaking as a non-fan, I also found the film's lack of dialogue to be an unexpected treat. Throughout, Hooper has elected to include only small bridging lines of dialogue, and there are instances where tens of minutes go by without a single person speaking, with each song simply linking into the next. Musical fans will no doubt appreciate Hooper not messing with the musical format, and simply the fact that it doesn't veer into the cheesy area of having characters speak normally and then spontaneously burst into song is a major feather in its cap. What such an approach does is essentially make the musical "gimmick" - if we can call it that - feel more integral to the story as a whole rather than a flourish that accentuates the narrative. This is something that musicals categorically fail to broach - that is, keeping the cringe factor at bay - but one that Les Mis by and large gets right. For that, it is to be hugely commended.