Cyrano

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. :-)

Watching Peter Dinklage in this performance is like walking into a decent play and he captivates me to make me stay longer til the end. Seeing his talents and personal struggles is just a treat to watch. So I say if Dinklage gets nominated I hope he wins making history as the first dwarf to win an Oscar. Technically he'll be the second dwarf actor to be nominated for an Oscar since Michael Dunn of Ship of Fools (1965) but let's hope the academy actually chooses well but I won't hold my breath bc the academy has a tendency to miss great performances or choose the wrong winners. Let's hope I say and praise Dinklage for his performance.

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.

This is a romance that hits you in the head and heart- not the loins.

So many movie makers today feel the need to include graphic or seductive sex scenes which often diminishes any real romance. The writer, directors, actors, and everyone involved in this production have created something that demonstrates real love- not lust.

This story is about connection and conviction. We don't need to see the characters bumping and grinding to feel the strength of their feelings. Words are so much more powerful and lasting.

Peter Dinklage is amazing as the intelligent and sensitive Cyrano. A man who feels he does not have enough to give but really has so much more than anyone else. Cyrano loves Roxanne deeply and only wants what is best for her so he makes sacrifices for her.

Not many movies can make me tear up anymore but this one did. I saw it on a plane returning from Europe and the flight attendant asked if I was OK because I was crying. I get depressed sometimes when I see all the crap going on in the world- selfishness, inconsideration, greed- things that seem so thoughtless and evil. This film helped renew hope in me that there are still people out there who understand what is important in life.

Cudos to everyone involved in making this movie. Superb acting, beautiful vocals, excellent timing, inspired direction, moving writing, and editing that brought it all together wonderfully.

I will be disappointed if this doesn't win many awards.

Cheers, Amy.

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.