There is a fine line between entertaining and just plain awkwardness. With today’s sound mixing technology, many actors who are tone deaf are cast in musicals, and Russel Crowe is a prime example. In real life, people do not burst into spontaneous dance numbers where everyone knows the steps without rehearsing, but good musicals make it seem natural, and the bad ones just leave audiences wriggling in their seats with embarrassment (remember Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia?). The following is a list of awful musicals that made viewers cover their ears and close their eyes, wondering if the madness would ever end.
15. Les Miserables (2012)
It’s the timeless tale of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), a man imprisoned for 20 years after stealing a loaf of bread, and attempting to lead a productive life while evading the police officer Javert (Russell Crowe). While Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter were hilarious as the innkeeper and his wife, the shaky camera shots were nauseating and reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project. In addition, Russell Crowe should be banned from ever attending a musical, let along appearing in one.
Photo by Moviestore / Rex Features
