Cyrano

Greetings again from the darkness. Filmmaker Joe Wright has proven how adeptly he can re-make a classic love story. You'll likely agree if you've seen his versions of ANNA KARENINA (2012) and/or PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (2005), which are in addition to his best film (also a love story), ATONEMENT (2007). Working from the terrific script Erica Schmidt adapted from Edmond Rostand's 1897 play, Wright delivers a musical version of Cyrano de Bergerac that delivers all of the intended "panache" of the original tragic-romance.

Peter Dinklage (THE STATION AGENT, 2003) stars as Cyrano, a master swordsman and orator who entertains with words that cut like a surgeon's scalpel ... except when he's weaponizing those words for love. Haley Bennett (SWALLOW, 2019) plays Roxanne, the secret object of Cyrano's desire, though she views him as but a close friend and confidant. Instead, her gaze is upon the newly arrived Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr), a virile and handsome man lacking the charisma and common sense required to court Roxanne. This dilemma lends itself to the melding of Cyrano's word being delivered by the preferable packaging of Christian.

Rather than Cyrano's oversized nose, the film uses Mr. Dinklage's diminutive stature and feelings of unworthiness of Roxanne's affections to create the division, and yet it's the musical aspect that takes a bit of getting used to. Dinklage excels in the film's best sequence, as early on he humiliates a poor stage actor, a rebellious act that ends in a duel ... entertaining for the play's audience as well as us as viewers. It's the connection between Cyrano and Christian that leaves us missing the good stuff. It all happens quickly and efficiently, rather than a slow transition from foes to partners. The film is at its best when Cyrano's loneliness is at the forefront ... Dinklage excels in these scenes. In fact, Wright and the actors (Dinklage and Bennett) nail the ending which packs the punch Rostand intended.

Mr. Dinklage has long been married to the film's screenwriter Erica Schmidt, and Ms. Bennett and director Wright have a daughter together. These ties may have contributed to the effectiveness of the best scenes, though we do wish Ben Mendolsohn (as De Guiche) had a bit more screen time. The three most well-known film versions are CYRANO DE BERGERAC (1950) starring Jose Ferrer, ROXANNE (1987) starring Steve Martin, and CYRANO DE BERGERAC (1990) starring Gerard Depardieu. Wright's latest version is set apart with the musical aspect, and certainly the Dinklage performance ranks amongst the best. Edmond Rostand's play was a fictionalized version of the life of Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac (1619-1655), but the romance, ego, and self-doubt applies to all eras.

Seems like the writers had never read the play. Felt like they missed the soul of the source material. Actors were beautifully cast but the dialogue and lyrics felt clunky and misguided. Felt like a love story when it absolutely is a story about failed truth. Joe Wright had done a beautiful job as always but again overall it feels like the point is missed. Still an enjoyable watch but the musical bits felt jarring and out of nowhere. Captured none of the humor and cavalier attitude. De Guiche also came across as very r*pey which felt very odd and uncomfortable since it was not in any other the other adaption.

Beautifully filmed period piece and retelling of the classic play with some changes. Dinkledge gives a heart-wrenching performance as Cyrano (obviously his stature is substituted for the big nose), supported by a mostly decent cast. Lots of reviews here bemoan the musical aspect of the film and I will agree I didn't expect it to be one. However, I thought the music and lyrics were fantastic, with such raw emotion pouring out (I dare anyone not to get a lump in their throat at the soldiers singing their farewell letters song). I give this film a 8/10 for its music, risk taking and emotional gravitas.

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. :-)

I'm a big fan of both Peter Dinklage and Ben Mendelssohn. Peter Dinklage simply cannot sing. Unfortunately, that fact plays prominently into a musical when the person who cannot sing is the lead. It took away my attention from pretty much anything else on the screen whenever he would sing. Haley Bennett as Roxanne was charming in the role and has a beautiful singing voice. Also, strangely, at a meandering 2 hours, the ending still felt rushed. I watched it on an industry streaming screener. Perhaps on the big screen it plays better.