The renowned movie dealt on the transition made by one notorious criminal towards becoming a man of great honor. In Jean Valjean’s quest of forgetting his miserable past as a convict, he was able to win the trust of people and became the mayor of a certain town while simultaneously running a factory, but again lost against the prejudices of the court of law. The issue raised by the movie is the value of impartiality as seen in the perspectives of different classes of people. Should they, or should they not give chance to a culprit who was able to redeem himself from the core of his severe past and live anew serving other people? Was it just to rely on the prevailing written laws to direct courses of action to enact punishments to violations committed by common people?
The film was set in Europe in the 1800’s, when people were suffering the extreme oppression due to the strong imposition of laws. The governing laws were implemented strictly, guided by authority’s rationality and not by emotions. This has been showcased by the film’s antagonist, Javert, an inspector. Javert was the one who took all efforts of searching facts to prove that Valjean was indeed the sought-after criminal. For years, he took action in searching the convict, and willfully embraced the written laws that would apply to Valjean’s case.
Jose Rizal’s fate and personality were not much different as with Jean Valjean’s. Our national hero, just like the main character in the film, was a devoted patriot and was very eager to serve his fellow countrymen to prove such. He promoted justice and lived by his belief of what humanity should consider a more acceptable perspective of viewing life and creating a standard that would direct the way of people’s judgment.
The film was set on the time when people felt powerless against the strong military forces of the nation state. In the latter part of the film, for instance, Cosette, the daughter of the whore once loved by Valjean, fell in love with a man leading a quest and rallying against the rule of law. Such man represents the people of those times that were serious about waging gruesome battles to restore their freedom as a Republic, even to the point of sacrificing their lives.
In such aspect, the history of the Philippines was of no difference. During the time of the Spaniards, Filipinos endured the effects of the colonizer’s brutalities. Filipinos seemed deprived of their rights, thus, injustice raged.
This was one serious matter that Rizal observed, pushing him to take the responsibility of putting an end to such scenario. Rizal, just like Valjean, was a man who fought for what he believed in, a great attribute common to all heroes. He pioneered a lot of things leading to immediate transitions. He even sacrificed his own life to actualize the fulfillment of his mission of changing the system and of persuading the people to revolt and never be afraid. He said that there was hope for the country and when all together, they could create a big effect towards something positive.
Indeed, Rizal and Valjean were great people, not just because of what they did, but because of their individuality and amazing exercise of their rationality to counter the loopholes of the existing law- the injustice. What they did in line with their personal way of viewing things has touched the lives of the vast array of people around them, thus, has gained them respect even by their foes- the Spaniards for Rizal and Javert for Valjean. Their remarkable bravery which came along with accurate assessment of situations was among their best weapons that they have used not to fight back but to promote their desire to secure the welfare of the majority, especially of those in their native land, not just of themselves.
The message of the film for the youth is for them to never lose grip of their faith. They should never lose hope and always be optimistic. Do what they want with no hesitations, for it is the only way to actualize their individuality. They must learn to take risk and during certain circumstances never be afraid to face the consequences that may come along with what they do. Do things within the core of their responsibility and consider themselves as heroes in their own simple way of touching lives.
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