[QUOTE=Gusteau;2195699]I think this is a conflict between theater expectations vs. film expectations. When you go to a Broadway show the expectation of the actors is to be able to sing perfectly and belt it to the cheap seats. In film it's a little bit different. In
this clip (on YouTube) where they talk about the decision to sing live, Hathaway talks about how she felt it was selfish to sing pretty when Fantine has lost everything. The film expectation is for acting rather than perfect singing. She acted the song realistically, which is what we expect from film.
I see your point...two very different media. I guess I kind of felt that the movie was trying too much to be an opera (if that makes sense?). I would have loved to see the actress that did Eponime (sp?) play Fantine and Hathaway do the Eponime part