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The story of Cyrano de Bergerac’s love triangle is a familiar one—one that’s been adapted into numerous forms since the play was written by Edmond Rostand in 1897. In Cyrano, director Joe Wright offers his own musical take on the classic tale.
Cyrano tells the story of swordsman and poet Cyrano de Bergerac (Peter Dinklage), who’s secretly in love with his childhood friend Roxanne (Haley Bennett), though he believes that his physical appearance makes him unworthy of her love. When she confesses that she’s in love with one of his regiment’s new recruits, Christian (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.), Cyrano agrees to look out for him—and when Christian expresses his concern that he isn’t eloquent enough to write her letters, Cyrano fills in, helping Christian win the woman that they both love.
With each love letter that Cyrano writes to Roxanne on Christian’s behalf, the drama of this classic romance swells. And while the story may be a familiar one, the cast members bring new life to these characters and their tale of hidden love. Haley Bennett’s Roxanne is more than just a pretty face; she’s strong-willed and intelligent, not someone who’s impressed by money or title (no matter how much her family urges her to marry rich). But Peter Dinklage easily steals every scene as the quick-witted romantic with a huge heart and a way with words, whose insecurities keep him from the love he deserves. His is a powerful performance, perfectly matching Joe Wright’s skillful creation of this beautiful period drama.
Wright has shown in the past that he knows how to craft a striking period drama—and this one is no different. The sets, the costumes, the cinematography works together with the cast and the screenplay to create a dramatic, even dreamy, film.
Unfortunately, though, the music in this musical doesn’t add to the story. While some of the musical numbers add to the romance, the drama, or even the energy of the film, others feel out of place, the lines of the songs choppy and awkward, and the style of the musical numbers never really feels cohesive. And while it makes this version of the classic romance stand out, it wasn’t necessary for the storytelling.
Joe Wright definitely brings plenty of romance and drama to this classic tale of hidden love. But while the musical numbers offer a new twist on the story, it’s the cast (especially Dinklage) who makes it worth watching.
Joe Wright’s Cyrano arrives in theaters on February 25, 2022.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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