One of this writer’s favorite fables is Cyrano de Bergerac, the play by Edmond Rostand. It’s story of true love, deceit, inner personal doubts, and a love triable to boot leaves much to sink your teeth into. Rostand’s iconic classic has been done countless times, but on stage, screen, and television. But you have never seen Rostand’s masterpiece as is delivered by director Joe Wright in Cyrano.
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, X-Men) stars as the titular character who audiences will fall in love with immediately. He possesses a laid-back charm that is as enduring as it is playful. In Wright’s version, Cyrano is a popular fellow, but not necessarily with the ladies. That is until he sees Roxanne (Haley Bennett). Unfortunately, Cyrano cowers under his physical appearance and something that lights up the sky is Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). Roxanne falls for Christian immediately, do Cyrano’s dismay.
But he comes up with a plan. What if he provides the “words” and Christian provided the vocals to wooing Roxanne and perhaps, somehow, along the way, she may discover it was Cyrano all along. Maybe.
Wright’s Cyrano is a musical and the original songs are exquisite and not only enthrall and entertain but move the narrative forward in a way that it contributes greatly to the story and film itself. Don’t be surprised if you visit your favorite retailer or streamer and immediately possess the soundtrack. It is beautiful, moving and at the same time utterly electric. Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner’s music is as much of a character as Roxanne, Cyrano, and Christian. It all adds up to a match made in cinematic heaven.
Cyrano is one of 2021 greatest films and that it didn’t get more Oscar love is a crime. But that’s OK. The best revenge is for this film to catch fire on home video, where it is now available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats, and become one of those films that decades from now, we are still mentioning in our film discourse.
Dinklage is a revelation. He was born to play Cyrano and embraces the role with such panache and power that it is hard to think of any other actor inhabiting Rostand’s protagonist. The manner with which he translates his feelings and emotions through facial gestures and small physical movements that scream from the highest moment in terms of their meaning. As the film progresses, audiences—as is the case in most productions of Cyrano—innately pull for him to get the girl. The thing is, Christian is not a bad man. There is no villain here. It is a love story, through and through and a lesson in following one’s dreams and refusing to listen to that inner voice inside your head that yell “you can’t.”
Bennett is glorious. She both mixes with Dinklage and Harrison in perfection. Yet, there is something unspoken between Cyrano and Roxanne that screams off the screen and its absolutely impossible to ignore. The thing is Christian means well. He is a good lad and would be an impeccable catch for any woman, much less one from that era. But Cyrano has the words, the passion and the deep chasm filled with adoration that is directed in only one direction—Roxanne.
The reason that Christian is a tough lad to root against is that Harrison portrays him with such kindness and support that it truly becomes a case of pulling for the underdog in this contest of the heart. Harrison comes off strong, but clumsily and with the help of Cyrano, he might just get the girl. But will he?
Wright has had mostly successes versus films that missed the mark. His Woman in the Window was a catastrophe, but his Darkest Hour is an Oscar-winning film. His work on Anna Karenina is otherworldly, and his Hanna is still one of our favorite films of all time. Then, there’s Atonement, the film that put him on the map. No matter who you talk to, that film pierces the soul. What he achieves with a musical no less with Cyrano is nothing short of a movie miracle.
Bonus features contain but one, but it is the only one a viewer needs. An Epic Adventure: The Making of Cyrano is a 9-minute behind-the-scenes, the beginnings of the entire film, and more than worthy—a look at the creation of the score.
Grade: A
Bonus Features: B