Cyrano Review – Beautiful, Sensual, Romantic

Cyrano, from Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures, brings to the screen a reimagined version of the timeless tale of a love triangle, presenting the sorrow of unrequited love, the viciousness of the scorned and the elation of realizing love.

The film begins in a flurry as Roxanne, played by Haley Bennet, is rushing around the room preparing for her date with the Duke De Guiche, played by Ben Mendelsohn, as her chaperone, Marie, played by Monica Dolan, helps her dress, finding the appropriate shoes, making suggestions, and dispensing life advice on love and marriage.


Celebrity Interview: Directing Team Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar Talk on Making Jockey


As they travel to the play, Roxanne is sidelined by the Duke's conversation with Valvert, played by Joshua James, as she sinks into the reality of her life and only hopes to find love, the kind that stays, that causes the other to profess they can't live without her and would be there forever.

At this point, as it is a musical, Roxanne begins to sing "Someone to Say," and as we see the longing she whispers is universal, as she enters the theater patrons each sing verses, from the esteemed of society to the poor, both male and female.

While Roxanne is seated in the stage box, Christian, played by Kelvin Harrison, Jr., walks to the stage mesmerized by her. She meets his eyes, looks aways, and then returns locking eyes.

As Jodelet, played by Tim McMullen, begins his performance, we hear from the distance a voice and see from the reaction it is identified as Cyrano, played by Peter Dinklage. He takes the theater and with his words causes Jodelet to run, off the stage, in fear.


CODA Review – Heartwarming, A Feel-Good Film


Cyrano, in addition to being an expert swordsman, is able to debate and defeat with his mastery of the language, and channel the feelings of the heart onto paper with an expertise that have all declaring his brilliance.

While on the stage, Valvert initiates a challenge beginning with typical words meant to demean and demoralize Cyrano. Then, he challenges him to a dual which Cyrano accepts. The two fight and Cyrano corners him, showing the audience that is still held in rapt attention, that while he could kill him, he lets him live. Valvert, now humiliated, rushes him, and falls on the sword.

With the evening ending, Cyrano meets up with Le Bret, played by Bashir Salahuddin, also a guard in the military, and the two begin talking about his obvious love for Roxanne. He remains convinced that his appearance renders the idea that Roxanne would love him, or society would accept him with her, mute and he is contented to remain her dearest and most cherished friend.

Of course, as the story goes, Roxanne falls instantly in love with the man at the theatre, Christian, and asks Cyrano to have him send her a letter. As Christian is more might than bright, he depends on Cyrano to present the words that only someone with his knowledge could, the words that woo, that move away from the common and become the romance that the restrictions of society forbid.


Blue Bayou Review - Poignant, Stirring, Heartfelt


We see as Cyrano has been given the opportunity to pour out his heart, the words flow freely, and the letters are many.

However, the nation is now at war and the guards of which Christian is one must go to the front.

Cyrano is a masterpiece, a symphony of words, music, and story. It so much more than a love triangle, interspersed with elements of comedy, the universality of the emotions, the heartbreak of loss, the unwillingness to risk.

The ensemble cast delivers captivating, and riveting, performances, and through the use of imagery, adds another visual layer of sensuality, richness. Director Joe Wright used many close-ups to capture the intensity of the moment and the emotive skill of the actors. The score created for the film is equally moving, capturing feeling and sentiment, while presenting rarely expressed and heartfelt male emotions, fear, love, desire.

A must see, Cyrano opens in select cities January 28, 2022. Check local listings.


The Novice Review – Riveting, Intense, Attention-Grabbing


               

Country: USA.

Language: English.                                                                 

Runtime: 123minutes.

Release Date: January 28, 2022.

Director: Joe Wright.

Screenplay by: Erica Schmidt.

Based on: The stage musical adapted and directed by Erica Schmidt, from "Cyrano de Bergerac" by Edmond Rostand, with music by Aaron and Bryce Dessner and lyrics by Matt Berninger and Carin Besser.

Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Guy Heeley.

Executive Producers: Erica Schmidt, Sarah-Jane Robinson, Sheeraz Shah, Lucas Webb, Matt Berninger, Carin Besser, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Kevin Ulrich, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth.

Cast: Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ben Mendelsohn, Bashir Salahuddin, Monica Dolan, Tim McMullen, Joshua James.

Haute Tease

  • Music: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Live At The Fillmore (1997) Out November 25

    The infectious rendition of J.J. Cale's classic "Call Me The Breeze," performed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers during their legendary 20-show run at the Fillmore is out now, with an accompanying video directed and hand-illustrated by Emmy Award-winning Jeff Scher. 

     
  • World News: Middle East Erupts

    The bloody clashes between Israel and Palestine as each decide to display a determined dominance highlight the inertia of international organizations in resolving deep opposition but also reveal the existence of diplomatic rivalries worthy of the Cold War.

     
  • Cut Throat City Review – Real, Authentic, Raw Truth

    Cut Throat City, from Well Go USA Entertainment, brings to the screen an authentic and real film of life after Katrina, of limited options, of FEMA's failures, of the abandonment of New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward.

     
  • Boston Bomber Found Guilty; Sentencing to Follow

    Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon Bomber, was found guilty of homegrown terrorism and other crimes after a month long trial where the theory of mental coercion by the defendant’s brother was introduced. His guilty verdict deems him death penalty eligible.

     
  • Stript Wax Bar - Stripping the Competition Bare

    Katherine Goldman and Eric Schimmel are the owners of Stript Wax Bar, the sexy new boudoir dedicated to the art of waxing, located on trendy W. 3rd street in West Hollywood, California.

     
  • Mindcage Review - Twisted Plot Delivers Slow, but Intriguing, Crime Drama

    Mindcage, from Lionsgate, brings to the screen a twisted psychological crime drama that pits a young detective and her seasoned partner against the wits of an incarcerated criminal mastermind as they race to catch a copycat killer.