Film Review: CYRANO (2021): A Film That Brings Elegance and Sophistication Back To The Screen

Cyrano Review

Cyrano (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Joe Wright and starring Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Ben Mendelsohn, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Bashir Salahuddin, David Monteath, Scott Folan and Sam Amidon.

Peter Dinklage brings the role of Cyrano de Bergerac back to life in director Joe Wright (Atonement)’s fantastic new dramatic musical, Cyrano. A little more than 45 minutes into the new film, the best music sequence to be found in movies this year occurs. It is pure movie magic to hear the song, “Every Letter,” played against the imagery of three people who are intertwined in the film’s wonderfully complicated romantic entanglement. Dinklage is more than properly supported by his wonderful co-stars Haley Bennett and Kelvin Harrison Jr. This is quite simply one of the year’s best films.

The film’s premise starts with the story of a determined and passionate dwarf Cyrano (Dinklage) who makes a grand movie entrance performing at the theater the sublime, beautiful Roxanne (Bennett) is attending. Roxanne is there with the Duke de Guiche (a fine Ben Mendelsohn) but it is made known early in the picture that Roxanne is seeking true love in her life despite her financial difficulties. She takes a liking to a nice-looking guy named Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and tells Cyrano about her affections for Christian. Cyrano, of course, wishes Roxanne was talking about her admiration for him but, nevertheless, Cyrano agrees to tell Christian about her feelings towards him. One problem, though, is that Christian doesn’t have a way with words and romance like the sensitive Cyrano does. Cyrano laughingly carries a love letter that is applicable towards women that he takes with him wherever he goes. Cyrano starts writing letters to Roxanne for Christian to use to try to acquire the girl of both of their dreams.

When the song “Every Letter” plays, it’s simply a rousing, phenomenal sequence to behold. The three principal players are all singing in a split screen at one point and this imagery found here is interspersed with letters flying around a room as Roxanne walks under a curtain. Bennett, in particular, is fabulous as she runs to the door to get her latest letter and puts her head on her pillow in amazement of the beauty she finds in the words she reads to herself. Bennett, always a fine actress, is astonishingly good and despite slightly resembling Jennifer Lawrence, she stands out as a very distinct performer. I loved her work in this film which follows her performance in the underappreciated horror film, Swallow, from last year.

What would Cyrano be without the infamous balcony scene where, after Roxanne rejects Christian for poor use of words, Cyrano steps in to help the awkward but handsome Christian try to woo Roxanne in style through exquisite words that Cyrano creates? That part of the film is perfectly done and unique despite its familiarity thanks to the talent of the performers involved. If you’ve seen Roxanne, the Steve Martin film from the late 1980’s with Daryl Hannah as Roxanne, you know this scene can be truly funny. In that film where Martin had a big nose like Cyrano typically does in previous takes on the tale, it was played for laughs. Here in the new film, it’s played straight and the movie is heartwarming and endearing throughout.

The supporting cast is all fine with Bashir Salahuddin, as Cyrano’s confidante Le Bret, a particular standout. But, this is Dinklage’s finest hour. Dinklage is so likable that he wins the audience over as the reliable wordsmith who manages to stir up more confusion than there should have been due to his insecurities which plague him in his feelings for the undeniably beautiful Roxanne. There’s also some swordplay and dramatic sequences where the male characters’ lives are put in danger that add tension to the picture and are expertly directed by the always formidable Wright.

To go back to the “Every Letter” scene again, that is the centerpiece of the movie. This scene conveys everything the film is about in its brief duration. It’s about passion, love, and the human yearning for affection and completeness. I can’t wait to watch this scene again for its sheer beauty in terms of its cinematography and beautiful coordination. The film’s ending is equally strong but I wouldn’t dream of talking too much about that scene as to let audiences discover it for themselves. It can be said, however, that Dinklage and Bennett create one of the most deeply moving scenes of the year.

The script of the film was penned by Erica Schmidt based on Edmond Rostand’s classic play. She just so happens to be married to Dinklage and geared the film towards his own distinct, endearing qualities which differentiate him from the everyday man. He may seem different in terms of his appearance but Cyrano’s heart is grand and his passions for Roxanne run deep. Bennett is perfectly cast as Roxanne and it’s easy to be won over by her charm, elegance and sophistication. As the third wheel, Kelvin Harrison Jr. is a shining star and his character is beautifully written knowing that the right thing must be done in the name of justice at the conclusion of the story. By the time the movie gets to its powerful concluding scene, you’ll have found that you were enjoying every minute of this exquisite film and wished it never ended.

Rating: 10/10

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