CYRANO, No Lie, I Cried Starring Peter Dinklage

The film adaptation CYRANO (2021) is the best rendition of French poet/playwright Edmond Rostand's (b. France 1890) classic play "Cyrano de Bergerec (1897); a tale of love is blind and the blinding power of love.  The story is about the longtime relationship between Cyrano, a brilliant poet and orator serving as a nobleman in the French army, and the exquisite maiden, Roxane (Haley Bennet).  Roxane and Cyrano have been friends for a longtime having known each other since they were little.  The fair Roxane has many prominent suitors.  Unbeknownst to Roxane, Cyrano has been in love with her and he is about to reveal his undying love for her in a letter he's written.  Cyrano has been hesitant to profess his love because of his diminished stature.  In the play, Cyrano has a grotesquely large nose.  In the film Cyrano is portrayed by the incomparable Peter Dinklage.  The movie is set in France in the late 19th C when many viewed Dinklage's dwarfism as a freakish aberration.  Cyrano questions whether he is worthy of Roxane's love due to his physical appearance in comparison to her great beauty.  Nonetheless, Cyrano, writes his profound love for her with prose that would have Roxane swooning for him.  Roxane has noticed the handsome cavalryman, Christian (Kevin Harrison, Jr.) and he has vied her.  The handsome pair are both smitten with each other.  On the verge of being sent into battle, Cyrano intends to inform Roxane of his affections but the two become star crossed lovers.  Roxane first confides her longing for the yet unknown soldier whom she's attracted.  Crushed, Cyrano promises his beloved Roxane that he will bring the two together to meet and look out for him in battle.  Christian is overjoyed for he has fallen in love at first sight and joins Cyrano to meet Roxane.  Out of sight from Roxane, Cyrano feeds Christian poetic words of love to make Roxane swoon.  This version is an adapted musical.  Although, the singing and dancing start as a distraction the film coalesces around Cyrano's selfless love and kindness.  All three actors are superb but it is Dinklage's interpretation that connects straight with the heart.  The love and pain he emotes simultaneously make this love triangle story into an omnipotent isoscles unequaled in its artistry and ability to compel the audience to feel the anguish and injustice in love gone awry.  Try this film that received several nominations from the Academy of Motion Pictures, Golden Globes and the British Academy of Film.  That Peter Dinklage didn't receive the best actor award makes me think the voters didn't see his performance.