Vorhang auf für Cyrano

A beautiful and fun film that much resembles the Oscar winning film "Shakespeare in Love", to homage a great French auteur as well as Paris wonderful locations.

In 2016, French actor Alexis Michalik premiered the play "Edmond." Written by himself, it is a comedy that loosely recreates how author Edmond Rostand (1868-1918) created his masterpiece and best-known work, "Cyrano de Bergerac," in 1897. The play was a success, also winning several theater awards, and has continued to be performed in France ever since. Two years later, Michalik decided to adapt and direct the film version with a new cast, premiering it first at festivals before finally reaching French theaters on January 9, 2019. A year and almost four months later (including a delay due to the coronavirus), it finally premiered in Spanish theaters, under the title "Cyrano, My Love".

As the play tells us, the story centers on Edmond Rostand (Thomas Solivérès), a 29-year-old young man whose theatrical career is about to end as success fails to come his way. One day, he receives a commission from the famous actor Constant Coquelin (Olivier Gourmet), who asks him for a comedy. And almost improvised, the idea for "Cyrano de Bergerac" is born. From that moment on, Coquelin, who lands the lead role, gives Edmond three weeks not only to finish the play, but also to find patrons, actors, rehearse with them, and finally premiere it. Meanwhile, Edmond, desperate for inspiration, finds inspiration by chance in the form of his friend Léo's (Tom Leeb) lover, a young woman named Jeanne d'Alcie (Lucie Boujenah). Léo, unable to reach Jeanne's heart, asks for help from Edmond, whose way of expressing himself is what truly captures Jeanne's thoughts. He will pretend to be Léo to "help" the latter win her over. Jeanne will then become his muse and obsession so he can finish his "Cyrano".

Those of you who have read the plot may immediately think of the film "Shakespeare in Love" (1998). But yes, let's admit it, it contains the same premise. A loose retelling of how one of the most famous authors of his time found inspiration to create his masterpiece. But that's just the premise. "Cyrano, My Love" is not only a love letter to "Cyrano," but also to everything surrounding it. To the theater, to the 19th century, and to all those who fell into oblivion after the premiere of "Cyrano": Rostand, Coquelin, Maria Legault, Sarah Bernhardt, Georges Feydeau, etc.

The film clearly features characters and situations that possibly never occurred, but the film is not intended at any point to be a 100% faithful recreation of history. But a comedy, part romance, part drama about an artist trying to fulfill his dreams. I completely identified with Edmond and many other characters in this story. Although I'm a film major, theater will always be the father of the latter. Yes, after watching the film again, I felt like rewatching "Shakespeare in Love" to find similarities, I couldn't help it. And yes, I found some, but I have to say, I enjoyed "Cyrano, My Love" much more.

The characters filled me much more, and the story captivated me until the very end. I even got emotional in some parts of the third act. I left that theater with a very pleasant feeling. The film also gives you hope, as some of the film's morals are the classic "If you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything" and "Never stop chasing your dreams." That's something I like to find in movies and a way to get away from the constant "The realism of life sucks" that many directors try to convey in many dramas. I know! Many of us live that film every day, and in real 3D. Why add fuel to the fire?

Aesthetically, it's also impeccable. Late 19th-century Paris was recreated in the Czech Republic. Although, as I said, the cast didn't repeat the same one from the play, the actors in this version give a lot of play and it's clear they really enjoyed these characters. Apparently, only one of the actors from the original theatrical cast reprised the role of Monsieur Honoré in the film: Jean-Michel Martial, who reprised the same role. It was sad to discover while writing this review that this actor passed away last year at the age of 67. He has one of the best characters in the film, stealing the spotlight at many moments.

I highly recommend "Cyrano, My Love". Not only for those who like comedies, but also for fans of period films, drama, romance, "Shakespeare in Love"... but above all, for those who want to unwind and have a wonderful time for almost two hours. Of course, as I say many times, don't watch the trailers in full. They only give away the first 30 seconds; after that, they spoil the best moments of the film... even the third act. I also recommend you hurry up and see it. Because it probably won't be a film that's been hyped up to the nines, and it risks going unnoticed.

A great homage to French writer Edmond Rostand, the author of "Cyrano de Bergerac", a work that would become a legend, the play was played uninterrupted from 1897 until today, plus being screened many times, with many famous casts, in many films, the most famous being the one with Gérard Depardieu. All the actors are excellent and Alexis Michalik's direction is truly revolutionary.

Some of the best, most innovative and some of worst, most narcissistic film (lr play) has been "play within a play" premise. I understand the writer of Edmond was attempting to copy the idea of "Shakespeare in Love."

Ultimately though the result is not engaging, or coherent. The premise is good, the result is not. Th dialogue is nowhere near as engaging as Rostand's own work. And the structure and direction don't reflect any talent. I

The cinematography and costumes are good. The actors are not without talent. But it just doesn't work

It is a comedy set in the Paris of 1897 when the author of previous unsuccessful drama plays has the opportunity to write in a very short time a comedy about Cyrano de Bergerac (actual historic figure made of soldiery, science, poetry... incarnation of French "panache" a classy and brave way to win and lose, with perpetuatal pride). It is a comedy with the interactions of the author and the comedians, the producers, the audience... the inspiration found in a muse. A vivid comedy, an homage to theatre. Do not expect perfect faithfulness to historical events. To fully appreciate what the pkay Cyrano is you should watch the eponym brilliant 1989 movie CYRANO DE BERGERAC with Gerard DEPARDIEU in what is probably is best part, up to now.