In late 2019, Erica Schmidt wrote and directed an Off Broadway adaptation of Cyrano that starred her husband, Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage. After its successful run, the musical has been brought to the big screen by director Joe Wright with some of the same actors.
Based on the the 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac, the film’s namesake played by Peter Dinklage is a talented wordsmith who is just as good with a sword as he is a pen. Despite his talents, Cyrano is convinced that his unconventional appearance prevents him from ever declaring his love for his longtime friend Roxanne (Haley Bennett) who has a rich suitor for her hand in De Guiche (Ben Mendelsohn). Roxanne soon lays her eyes on Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and immediately falls in love with the young soldier. Christian however lacks Cyrano’s way with words and in a move to both see that his friend experiences love and live vicariously through her new suitor, Cyrano agrees to write Roxanne love letters under Christian’s name.
Perhaps the most important element of any musical is the music itself of course, and the film’s composers Aaron and Bryce Dessner of rock band The National created a score for the film that succeeds in furthering the film’s plot and encapsulating the emotions and arcs of its characters while simultaneously remaining catchy and engaging as a singular soundtrack unto itself. The songs are vibrant and full of energy yet also convey the emotion behind the heart wrenching love triangle that is at the heart of the story resulting in a score that perfectly complements the script and helps to keep viewers engaged and entertained alongside the film itself. Dinklage, Bennett, and Harrison all display capable singing voices that emote well and sound pleasant, a feat that isn’t necessarily a given in musicals these days.
Aside from the tunes, Cyrano serves mainly as the Peter Dinklage show and the star doesn’t disappoint on his end either. Dinklage succeeds in translating his run on the stage as the titular character into a dynamic performance on the big screen that equal parts humorous and emotional, driving home the agony of loving someone deeply, but silently and from afar. The unrequited love he displays toward Roxanne feels real and will undoubtedly tug at the heartstrings of anyone who has ever longed for someone they couldn’t have, creating an emotional connection with the audience. Dinklage’s portrayal of a man who masks his insecurity at his physical unconventionality, this time dwarfism instead of a long nose, through acerbic wit and verbal dexterity creates a new twist on Cyrano de Bergerac that avoids seeming rote. His range as an actor is expanded here with his singing capabilities on full display. Bennett is charming in her turn as Roxanne and also capably portrays the emotional rollercoaster experienced by her character in having to choose a man to marry and the resulting hardships that follow once she does make a decision. Harrison Jr. continues his steady rise to stardom getting the chance to display his own musical talent as Christian in addition to his capabilities as an actor. Christian is supposed to be the antithesis of the smart and well-written Cyrano, the barrier keeping the protagonist away from love, and yet Harrison is able to imbue the character with a charm and sympathy that makes him someone viewers can root for and feel for despite his role in the charade against Roxanne.
Cyrano is a tragic love story that runs the emotional gamut from fun, to funny, to romance, to sadness. The production design and cinematography work in tandem to create frames that mirror the classic time period during which the film takes place. Peter Dinklage shines in the lead displaying his capabilities and range as a lead actor and performer. He is joined by Haley Bennett and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in superb supporting roles that provide quality chemistry for the love triangle at the heart of the story. The film’s ending is sure to tug at some heartstrings, but felt slightly cliched for this reviewer, yet it doesn’t take away from the sweeping score, quality performances, and top notch visuals that are sure to be a treat for fans of musicals.
Image: United Artists Releasing
