Review by dbogosian-1

Cyrano is one of the greatest stories ever written, and this adaptation does it justice with creativity, artistry, and style. Did it need to be a musical? I think not, and I don't think it helped overall, but it did provide one wonderful element: the choreography was visually exceptional, so many memorable scenes of soldiers drilling, bakers kneading, etc. The overall production is simply beautiful to watch. The Mediterranean locale makes for some beautiful scenes (though maybe not fitting for the real Bergerac). The battle scenes are in some moon-like setting utterly devoid of color, also beautifully shot.

Acting is mostly very good, with Cyrano and Roxanne in top form. Christian was a let-down. And in certain key moments, I found the two leads also a little flat, a little uninspired; in particular, the closing scene which is a gut-punch just didn't quite do it, I felt. Dinklage has a flat American accent while the others sound British, and that makes for some dissonance; why not just let Dinklage sound British too? The music is not your typical show tunes by any means, and I rather liked its deviation from the norm. It doesn't intrude into the story too much.

So yes, it could have been better, but still this is a great way to get some visual thrills and release some pent-up tears at one of literature's all-time great works.