‘Les Mis’ Director Lauds Jackman, Recalls ’King’s Speech’

Tom Hooper’s last movie was about a man who got help from a speech coach. His new movie features a cast that had help from a voice coach.

Hooper, who won a best-director Oscar in 2011 for “The King’s Speech” -- the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s stuttering dad -- now presents “Les Miserables,” featuring a stellar cast with mixed melodic abilities. While male lead Hugh Jackman is solid as the ex-convict Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe is musically underwhelming as his adversary Javert, and he’s not alone.