Cyrano

Cert - 12, Run-time - 2 hours 3 minutes,

Director - Joe Wright

Guard Captain Cyrano (Peter Dinklage)

discovers that the woman he has romantic feelings for (Haley Bennett) is in love with one of his soldiers (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), who he assists in writing love letters.

Often with musicals we focus on the songs, after all, they largely create the musical element. However, while the songs within Cyrano are good, working more to progress the narrative; focusing on tone and style, instead of being a big pop earworm (although the much-marketed ‘Someone To Say’ does begin to rotate the mind), there’s much more of an impact from dialogue and language. Even aside from the various love letters and poems that are so praised from the titular character, there’s an instant feeling of the power of words as the characters discuss themselves.

Peter Dinklage’s magnificently performed

central figure self-deprecates himself saying “I’m

living proof that God has a sick sense of humour”, while his unknowing love interest, Roxanne (Haley Bennett), is introduced with the breezily confessional “enigmatically distant and fashionably late”. The two have known each other for many years, however nothing romantic has ever arisen. Instead, Roxanne has feelings for a new soldier in her friend’s guard, Christian (Kelvin Harrsion Jr.) , who Cyrano begins to write love letters from, getting caught up in something of a personal love triangle as he puts his own thoughts and words into letters meant to be from someone else.

Amongst the fine detail of the writing there’s plenty of visual style and flair. An early scene set in a theatre seems to intentionally set a theatrical nature to the proceedings. Yet, one which is cinematically captured thanks to Joe Wright’s direction and the scope of the costume and production design - further wrapping you within the world and emotions conjured up. A key balcony scene creatively demonstrates the range on display throughout the film; pain, heart, humour, regret, reluctance, doubt and more. All while managing to fit in another song which wonderfully captures the moment.

While the opening song feels somewhat rushed into after brief fast-paced dialogue, as if the film is

desperate to make clear it’s a musical, afterwards each new musical number feels built-up to and

properly introduced. Even Ben Mendelsohn’s late-

appearing villain song stirs up a fine mixture of mood and emotion. The actor relishing the opportunity to chew up the scenery, creating a truly delicious villain song in the process.

Each song further involves you in a new part of the world while continuing the unfolding story. Never disrupting the fine flow that’s brought about thanks to the effective, largely unnoticed, editing. All coming together for a cinematic piece of theatrical work. Led by a strong cast, bringing to life the written detail of the dialogue and screenplay, none more so than a

stellar Peter Dinklage, it’s easy to fall into Cyrano and be wrapped within the drama, and occasional humour, of the film’s events. Much like the effect that Cyrano’s own love letters and poems have on those around him.

**** <-- Four Stars Jamie Skinner