''Suddenly'' is a song created for the 2012 film adaptation of the 1980 musical ''

Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its origin ...

'', included in both the film itself and the related soundtrack album. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2012.

Production

When reading the book in preparation for the film,

Tom Hooper Thomas George Hooper (born 5 October 1972)''Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1916–2005''. 5d: 2485. is a British-Australian filmmaker. Hooper began making short films as a teenager and had his first professional short, ...

realised that one major thing missing was an acknowledgment of the importance of Cosette's love to Valjean, as well as his accepting of fatherhood. Claude-Michel Schonberg said that this moment, "only a camera can catch", adding that "It's a feeling he never had before... on stage, it's very difficult to catch the intimacy of this moment."

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

president of film music and publishing Mike Knobloch explains that Hooper "went to Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain and Herbert and said, 'If we were going to do a new song, what if it were there? What if

Jean Valjean Jean Valjean () is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel ''Les Misérables''. The story depicts the character's struggle to lead a normal life and redeem himself after serving a 19-year-long prison sentence for stealing bread to feed his ...

sang a song that helped the audience understand that this is a big moment for him?' Herbert was the first to suggest the title 'Suddenly,' as in he suddenly realizes his value and purpose. He went to Alain and they brought it to life quickly." It replaces a set of dialogue that appeared in the musical after Valjean acquires Cosette from the Thenardiers, and before the 9-year jump: There has been speculation by news outlets such as BroadwayWorld that the song "may be added to the stage show at some point."

Synopsis

The song "beautifully explains what happens when Valjean takes Cosette from the inn and looks after her".

Composition

The song is performed by Jean Valjean, played by

Hugh Jackman Hugh Michael Jackman (born 12 October 1968) is an Australian actor. Beginning in theatre and television, he landed his breakthrough role as James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine in the 20th Century Fox ''X-Men'' film series (2000–2017), a role ...

in the film version. Music is by Claude-Michel Schonberg, while the lyrics are by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil. A reprise of the song is performed by Marius and Cosette toward the end of the film. The song has been described as "lullaby-like".

Performance

The song and its reprise debuted in the 2012

-directed adaptation of ''Les Misérables''. Hugh Jackman performed the song as part of a ''Les Misérables'' medley at the

85th Academy Awards The 85th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 2012 and took place on February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p. ...

Release

The song appears only on '' Les Misérables: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack''.

Critical reception

Scott Ross of NBC Bay Area said the song "fits seamlessly into the fabric of the musical". ''

The Week ''The Week'' is a weekly news magazine with editions in the United Kingdom and United States. The British publication was founded in 1995 and the American edition in 2001. An Australian edition was published from 2008 to 2012. A children's ed ...

'' said the song was "pretty forgettable compared to the film's more famous songs."

Awards and nominations

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Suddenly (Les Miserables) 2012 songs Hugh Jackman songs Songs from musicals Songs with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer Works based on Les Misérables