3. A Little Fall Of Rain
“…and you will keep me close.”
Eponine came and went almost as fast as Fantine did. Her role wasn’t nearly as important as Fantine or Marius’, but the thing she has going for her more than anything else is a relationship with the audience. Much like Marius, Eponine is seen as a character who many can connect with, especially the target audience for a movie like this: women. Unlike Marius, she doesn’t get what she wants in the end and only blindly chases her one true love – not unlike rabid Justin Bieber fans.
So when she does the only thing she can to have Marius notice her, the audience reacts to her death, but also her cries of happiness now that she is finally sleeping in Marius’ embrace at last. Had she not sacrificed her life, she would have truly been “on her own.” As Eponine’s “send off” song, “A Little Fall Of Rain” is riddled with a bittersweetness that reflects her character. From the sweeping melody to the final word being sung by Marius, everything was so perfect it could make the flowers grow.
I would also like to commend Samantha Barks on a very successful transition from stage to film. As one of the only true Broadway/West End actors, she deserves a lot more praise than she is given.
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