Review: Cyrano

Pride & Prejudice meets Les Misérables. Cyrano is a romantic musical that is both stirring and beautiful. Peter Dinklage is marvelous, while Haley Bennett and Kelvin Harrison Jr. are superb. Director Joe Wright’s (2005's Pride & Prejudice and 2007's Atonement) ravishing tale will dazzle with gorgeous costumes and a lively production design. See it in the theaters.

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My sole purpose on this earth is to love Roxanne.

Actress Haley Bennett

Cyrano deserved so much more love this awards season. Sadly, MGM botched the film's award campaign and release date. Cyrano had its world premiere last September at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival. From there, MGM decided to do a limited December 25th release, then pushed back to the 31st. Then, Cyrano was moved again to December 17th for a one-week Los Angeles run so it could be a contender for this year's Oscars. Originally, Cyrano was to have a wide release in January, but that was moved to early February and then pushed back to a final wide release on February 25th. When all was said and done: Cyrano got a single Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Costume Design (Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran). Rightfully so, Parrini and Durran deserved that Oscar nomination for costumes.

Actor Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Yet, the rest of the movie went mostly unnoticed this awards season, and it's a travesty. Especially Dinklage, who gave us one of his best performances to date. His performance is both raw, cunning, and heartbreaking. Dinklage is moving and poetic, capturing one's broken soul. Cyrano deserves to be seen, and I hope you can experience this beautiful film in the theaters. Wright's film is based on the 1897 Edmond Rostand play Cyrano de Bergerac. The screenplay is based on Erica Schmidt's 2018 stage musical of the same name, who also wrote the screenplay for this movie. Cyrano re-images the timeless tale of a heartbreaking love triangle. Wordsmith Cyrano de Bergerac (a marvelous Dinklage) is in love with the beautiful Roxanne (a spectacular Bennett). However, Cyrano is convinced that his outward appearance renders him unworthy of love. He finds a young man named Christian (a strong Harrison Jr.) who also loves Roxanne, as she does him, but the two have never talked in person.

Cyrano, a wonderful poet at heart, convinces Christian that he will be his voice by writing love letters for Roxanne. Cyrano is the voice of love, while Christian becomes the look of charms. Christian and Roxanne meet and bond in affection, but Cyrano is the one that hides from afar, knowing his words have made an impact on Roxanne's heart. Here, we get alluring songs and melodies that will melt your heart away. Songs like Someone to Say, Madly, Your Name, I Need More, Overcome, and Close My Eyes. Poetic, tragic, and burning with passion: Cyrano will soothe your soul with gentle love. A marvelous film that is crafted with gorgeous costumes, a lively production design, and superb acting throughout. This is a romantic musical you don't want to miss. So, do yourself a favor and see Cyrano now. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. I know that I was not. In the end, it was a magical experience.

Actor Peter Dinklage

Cyrano is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Suggestive Material | Some Strong Violence | Brief Language | Thematic Material.

Directed by Joe Wright

Starring Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Ben Mendelsohn.