Guest writer WMK Movie Reviews has a look at Cyrano, nominated for Best Costume Design.
If we excuse its Telluride festival run back in September of 2021, Cyrano is easily the best film of the new year thus far. Based on the 1897 play Cyrano DeBergerac by Edmond Rostand, Cyrano is a bit of a modern musical masterpiece. While most recognize him from his signature role in Game Of Thrones, Peter Dinklage has finally found his pinnacle film to showcase his true talents.
The tale of Cyrano can easily be summed up in just a few short sentences, but director Joe Wright makes an age old story about hidden love feel both elegantly true to its source material and effectively modern in execution.
The film’s amazing quality ultimately comes down to the direction itself. Though Cyrano doesn’t exactly scream originality with its familiar narrative, involving the trials and tribulations of confessing true love, the stylistic choices behind its visual aesthetic and the powerhouse performances make it something special. It’s ironic that the recent film Marry Me tackled a similar concept about unconventional love, but each final product has a completely different payoff.
Dinklage owns his lead role by conveying so much of his personal battles with his own appearance on screen. This raw emotion from his delivery of lines make the more tragic moments hit like a punch to the gut. Haley Bennett and Kelvin Harrison Jr also build a great chemistry, within this hidden love triangle, to help audiences feel every hardship and tender moment each character endures.
Some critics are complaining about the voice talents of the leads but, unlike recent highly energetic musicals like In The Heights, the songs are intended to match the lighter period-conscience tone of the film. The choreography behind each musical number is clever and engaging to boot. Personally, I felt the musical twist on the classic story worked out with admirable results. Even for those who typically find it tough to follow tales of the time period or loathe the overt cheesiness of musicals, it’s a film that most would be extremely glad they gave a fair opportunity.
With Peter Dinklage shining in every single aspect to the beautifully crafted set pieces and relatable narrative, Cyrano will have audiences leaving with well earned smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes.
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