A gorgeous production that sometimes soars
Film Critic Jason Evans is on a mission to tell you everything you need to know about movies in less time than it takes to fall in love at first sight. His reviews are exactly 100 words (not 99, not 101). This is his 100 word review of Cyrano.
The Premise – Joe Wright (Atonement, The Darkest Hour) directs
this musical version of one of the most famous love stories of all time. You
probably know the story. Cyrano de Bergerac (Peter Dinklage from Game of Thrones)
is a military commander as capable of dazzling a crowd with his sword as he is
with his words. He pines for his childhood friend, the beautiful Roxanne (Haley
Bennett) but is afraid to reveal his feelings because he is a dwarf and she
would never fall for someone who looks like him. Roxanne soon spies, Christian
(Kelvin Harrison Jr.), one of Cyrano’s soldiers, and becomes enamored with him.
But Christian is shy and fumbles for words around beautiful women. Christian begs
Cyrano for help writing letters and speaking to Roxanne. Soon, Cyrano finds himself
helping another man win the heart of the woman Cyrano loves.
The 100 Words – A lavish production with spectacular scenery
and a first-rate cast, I give Wright credit for trying something unusual in
turning this tale into a modern musical (complete with a rap battle). It is
clear they wasted no expense re-creating 17th century France. Sadly,
the film wavers at times, especially during the musical numbers. Dinklage is a magnetic
actor, but not much of a singer. This is a tragic tale of unrequited love, and
the story is sometimes hard to enjoy. Still, it is an emotional picture and the
kind of film that deserves to be seen on a big screen.
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