Anne Hathaway's Les Miserables research inspired Tom Hooper to tweak a pivotal scene
In an exclusive interview with The A.V. Club, Anne Hathaway recalls diving into the role of Fantine—and learning about French law in the process
Anne Hathaway is no stranger to the backend work it takes to prepare for a classic role. During an exclusive interview with The A.V. Club’s Jack Smart, Hathaway and her Armageddon Time co-star Jeremy Strong mused on the deepest dives they’ve taken preparing for a part. For Hathaway, the first research rabbit hole that comes to mind is her exploration of Les Miserables’ tragic mother Fantine.
“I went so deep on the research for Les Miserables that I discovered that there was a law against prostitutes in France at the time the book was set—or Fantine’s portion of the book was set—that a prostitute could be jailed if she did not have her head covered,” Hathaway explains.
In Les Miserables, Fantine’s arc is defined by a fall from factory work to homelessness to prostitution, all in the name of sending money to her daughter Cosette, who lives at a boarding house. Hathaway says that when she discovered the law, she realized it could serve a devastating purpose in a pivotal scene where Fantine dips further into the depths of destitution.