Lynn Arntuffus

I loved this movie. Cyrano a classic complex love story with all the elements containing expectations, fantasy, overwhelming love pitted against self-doubt. I’ve been fond of this play since seeing my first-ever live production in Seattle during my high school years. I also loved the older film versions including Roxanne with Steve Martin. I had little expectations or knowledge of the 2021 film starring Peter Dinklage. I was enchanted from the start, having no idea it was a musical. Being a musician performing many of what I feel are the best melodies ever written, I was deeply impressed with the song writing and low key singing by the actors. The music was not overblown with vocal theatrics and backtracks allowing the listener to focus on the poetic lyrics and characters emotion. The warmly lit and ancient sets captured the time and made the play feel alive and present. Most of all was Dinklage’s portrayal of the ever fearful Cyrano, overcome by love, loyalty to his rival Christian and stubborn self doubt until almost the very end.