Film review: Cyrano starring Peter Dinklage

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Published on Sunday, 20 February 2022 11:10

Last Updated on 17 February 2022

ranjeetpanesar

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Cyrano is written by Erica Schmidt and directed by award-winning director Joe Wright. A fresh, modern take on a classic form, Cyrano OST will be cherished by anyone whose playlists include songs such as; I Need My Girl, Light Years, England, Fake Empire, The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness……

Cyrano is the 4th production of the great romantic French play that I’ve seen. There have been other versions but under different names.

In all the other Cyranos they only had to overcome their tremendously unusual noses, but in this movies Peter Dinklage has to overcome lack of height plus prejudice about his body type.

The story

Award-winning director Joe Wright envelops moviegoers in a symphony of emotions with music, romance, and beauty in the upcoming musical drama Cyrano, re-creating the timeless tale of a heartbreaking love triangle. A man ahead of his time, Cyrano de Bergerac (played by Peter Dinklage) dazzles whether with ferocious wordplay at a verbal joust or with brilliant swordplay in a duel. But, convinced that his appearance renders him unworthy of the love of a devoted friend, the luminous Roxanne (Haley Bennett), Cyrano has yet to declare his feelings for her — and Roxanne has fallen in love, at first sight, with Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.).

The trailer

The verdict 

In scenes that are sometimes comic but more often tragic, the pretence becomes difficult to maintain; Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) finds himself increasingly frustrated at his ineloquent manner, and Cyrano falls more and more deeply for Roxanne (Haley Bennett), a woman who doesn’t realise he loves her.

I do like Peter Dinklage, but I don’t feel like this was his strongest performance, both in regards to the acting and the singing.

He does not suit the romantic lead. I don’t know why we needed another adaptation of Cyrano surely after the fourth production they would stop.

My favourite thing about Cyrano is its soundtrack. 

Cyrano’s powerful soundtrack, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, is written and composed by Bryce and Aaron Dessner of Grammy Award-winning American rock band The National with lyrics from the band’s Matt Berninger and songwriter Carin Besser. The National’s heart-shredding albums have held places in the top five official UK charts for the last two decades. The unique tones of The National echo throughout the expansive score, enhancing the film’s beauty, romance, and raw emotion. From wistful, dream-like melodies in Someone To Say, to the thundering rhythms in When I Was Born and the achingly beautiful Every Letter, Bryce, Aaron, Matt, and Carin have created a soundtrack that is wholly integral to the script.

The soundtrack features cast vocal performances from Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Glen Hansard with music from London Contemporary Orchestra, and renowned pianist Víkingur Ólafsson throughout, including the solo piano track Saying Goodbye, written by Bryce Dessner and which plays out the album. Somebody Desperate is an exceptional addition to the soundtrack. The song, which is featured during the film’s end credits, is written and performed by The National. The soundtrack follows Bryce Dessner’s award-winning film score work as well as Aaron Dessner’s recent Album of the Year Grammy Award for his work co-producing and co-writing Taylor Swift’s Folklore, orchestrated by Bryce.

Cyrano OST is out now via Decca Records, with CD, LP & White coloured

LP coming on 14^th January 2022. Order here.

  CYRANO TRACKLIST:

1. Intro
2. Opening
3. Someone To Say
4. When I Was Born
5. Dying
6. Madly
7. Ten Men Fight
8. Your Name
9. Garrison Arrival
10. Not A Toy
11. Someone To Say
12. Every Letter
13. I Love You
14. I Need More
15. Overcome
16. The Kiss
17. Marry Christian
18. What I Deserve
19. Saying Goodbye
20. Close My Eyes
21. Wherever I Fall – Pt. 1
22. Wherever I Fall – Pt. 2
23. He Will Be Here
24. Cyrano’s Message
25. No Cyrano
26. Somebody Desperate
27. Saying Goodbye

 

London Mums’ rating: 7/10