Are you a fan of classic films -- films from the 1930a and 40s? Are you aware of the old Hollywood studios and what kinds of films were their specialties? Well, dig this. The new film starring the gifted Peter Dinklage is an MGM musical. And a good one. The story has its roots in Cyrano de Bergerac, the 1897 play written in verse by Edmond Rostand. Cyrano is the brash, intelligent, outspoken man with the large nose who is as clever with a sword as he is with words. For a handsome friend, he is the ghostwriter of intoxicating love letters to Roxane, the object of the handsome but inarticulate friend's affection. The irony is that Cyrano is also in love with Roxane but feels she could never love him because he's not handsome. Roxane really falls in love with the writer of the passionate love letters -- not knowing that Cyrano is the true author.
The enormously talented stage and film actor/director from Puerto Rico, Jose Ferrer, won the Best Actor Oscar for 1950's CYRANO de BERGERAC. The story was given a modern-day spin in 1987's ROXANNE written by and starring Steve Martin. This film is based on a 2018 stage musical written by Erica Schmidt. She also did the screenplay. She didn't write the songs.
In this film adaptation, CYRANO does not have a large, long nose like Jose Ferrer and Steve Martin. Dinklage's height becomes the nose -- the thing that some folks in society tease him about and the thing that keeps him from feeling handsome. This angle works perfectly.
As the story opens, Roxanne (delightfully played by strawberry blonde Haley Bennett) is being told by her no-nonsense maid that she's "a rapidly aging orphan" and should marry the Duke she does not love. She's only going on a date with him to the theatre because she wants to see the play and can't afford the ticket. Marie the maid tells Roxanne "Children need love. Adults need money" and adds that "Spinsterhood is bleak."
At the theatre, watching a hammy actor onstage, Roxanne is fascinated by the critic who shouts to the actor, "I sent you a letter -- urging you to retire." The critic is Cyrano.
There is conflict, a swordfight, and Christian. He's Cyrano's unpoetic friend who fell for Roxanne at first glance and she swooned over his handsome face. Cyrano honestly tells Christian that "my sole purpose on this earth is to love Roxanne." Cyrano agrees to ghostwrite the love letters.
I mentioned that this is a new MGM musical feature. What sets it apart from classic MGM musicals of, say, the 1940s is that one of the lead actors is considerably shorter than Mickey Rooney and the other lead actor is Black. Peter Dinklage is in peak performance. He is marvelous and CYRANO is a definite must-see for Peter Dinklage fans. Here's a trailer. Kelvin Harrison Jr. stars as the handsome Christian.
So far, this musical film is not getting the press attention of TICK, TICK...BOOM! or Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY. I hope that changes. People should treat themselves to Peter Dinklage's amazing work as an unforgettable, larger than life, but lonely man who can go from mean to moving. Behind his toughness is a tender heart. Many of us can relate to his character. In a society that constantly tells you that looks count, many people feel they're unworthy of love simply because they do not fit society's image of attractive. CYRANO, directed by Joe Wright, runs 2 hours.
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