This movie is an adaptation from the stage musical, which itself was an adaptation of the 1897 original stories based on a the real person, Cyrano de Bergerac, who was a French poet and duelist from the 17th Century.
In the other productions of Cyrano (including Steve Martin's 1987 'Roxanne') he was depicted with an unusually large nose, that was why he was considered not handsome. In this one Cyrano is a very small person, yet fierce and an expert with the sword.
This production is a musical but without trained singers. Yet each one, including Dinklage, delivers adequate and believable vocals. I know some criticize the movie for that but to me it all makes it more realistic.
So there isn't much new about the way this movie depicts the Cyrano story, but it is a fine production and enjoyable especially for those who aren't highly familiar with the story, of an intelligent but unattractive poet and swordsman who loves Roxanne so much he will even help the man she admires win her affections.
I can't say enough about the performance Dinklage gives. I was already a fan from a number of other roles but he is just wonderful in this role.
My wife and I watched it at home on BluRay from our public library. That is, until she fell asleep halfway through and went to bed. Not the movie's fault, she was tired. :-)
