Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

José Ferrer won the Oscar for the leading role in the English language 1950 version, and romantic comedy Roxanne with Steve Martin modernised the story, but the majority of people will recognise this French language adaptation of the play by Edmond Rostand, in particular for the leading actor. Basically in the 17th century, in Paris, France, the charismatic Cyrano de Bergerac (Oscar and BAFTA nominated Gérard Depardieu) is a talented poet and supremely skilled swordsman, he has a large nose, which he is ridiculed for, and he is self-conscious because of it, but he pretends to be proud. Cyrano is hopelessly in love with his beautiful "friendly cousin" (though they are not actually related) Roxane (Anne Brochet), but he believes she will not love him because with his oversized hooter he considers himself physically unattractive. Cyrano finds out Roxane has become infatuated with dashing new recruit to the Cadets de Gascogne, Christian de Neuvillette (Vincent Perez), but despite his good looks, Christian is tongue-tied when speaking with women. Cyrano sees this as an opportunity to vicariously declare his love for Roxane, he helps Christian learn to court a woman, and writing love letters and poems to Roxane, declaring the very emotions Cyrano feels himself for her. Roxane starts to appreciate, not only for his good looks, but for his apparent eloquence, one night Christian is forced to prove his talent for words in person, Cyrano joins him beneath her balcony, when Christian fluster Christian speaks his words, Roxane is enraptured, Cyrano unintentionally wins Christian a kiss with her. Roxane eventually falls in love with Christian, and they contract a secret marriage in order to thwart the plans of the arrogant nobleman Comte de Guiche (Jacques Weber), himself a frustrated wooer of Roxane. In revenge, De Guiche summons Christian to fight in the war against the Spanish, Cyrano also joins the harsh and brutal battle, but escapes over enemy lines each morning to deliver a love letter, signed by Christian, to Roxane. At this point, Christian is completely unaware of Cyrano's doings on his behalf, the love letters eventually draw Roxane from the city to the war front, she had come to visit Christian, the supposed romantic poet, but she admits she would rather love an ugly, but great poet, than a handsome, dimwitted fellow. Realising his mistake, Christian tries to find out whether Roxane loves him or Cyrano, he asks Cyrano to find out, however, following her visit, Christian is wounded and dies in battle, as he lies dying, Cyrano tells Christian that he asked Roxane and it was Christian she loved, but he had done no such thing, Cyrano continues to fight and the French win. Cyrano keeps his love for Roxane secret for fourteen years, during which time he has become unpopular because of his satirical writing about nobility, the grief-stricken Roxane enters a convent, Cyrano faithfully visits her over the years every week. Cyrano is never late for his visits, until a fateful attempt on his life leaves him mortally injured, he is not injured by a sword, but instead suffers a serious head injury when struck by a heavy wooden beam, against doctor's orders Cyrano visits Roxane at the convent one night. Cyrano faints, but dismisses it as the effect of his wound at Arras, when Roxane mentions Christian's last letter, Cyrano is able to recite it be memory, only then Roxane realise that is was Cyrano who wooed her under the balcony and wrote the love letters, after fainting again, Cyrano is forced to reveal his mortal wound, as he dies, Roxane realises that it was Cyrano, not Christian, whom she truly loved all along. Also starring Roland Bertin as Ragueneau, Philippe Morier-Genoud as Le Bret, Pierre Maguelon as Carbon de Castel-Jaloux and Josiane Stoléru as The Duenna. Depardieu gives an exceptionally passionate, witty and finessed performance as the noted Parisian poet and swashbuckler whose search for happiness is hindered, and there is good support from Brochet and Perez, the fight sequences and political stuff is fine, but it definitely all about the love story, you feel real sympathy for the hero with the big conk, an interesting period romantic drama. It won the Oscar for Best Costume Design, and it was nominated for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Makeup and Best Foreign Language Film, it won the BAFTA for Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Make Up Artist and Best Original Film Score for Jean-Claude, and it was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film not in the English Language and Best Production Design, and it won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. Very good!

Watched this many years ago and must try to watch again one rainy afternoon. Great acting and direction but the thing that is beautiful about this film is the way the subtitles add so much to the enjoyment of the piece. From memory; these were done by the great writer Anthony Burgess which just goes to show what a brilliant writer he was

Summary : near the middle of the 17th century, Cyrano de Bergerac is the most independent-minded and talented poet, the most feared duelist, and, in the "Cadets de Gascogne" Regiment, one of the most valorous military men on the place of Paris.Yet, secretly, he feels miserable...Deeply in love for years with his cousin, the radiantly beautiful Roxanne, he never confessed it to anyone, including the beauty herself, for fear of ridicule...For this hero has a terrible flaw : his hideous, overgrown, cartilaginous nose, destroying forever his chances to live a normal life.One day however, Cyrano's routine of hiding his sorrow behind his pride is turned upside down : Roxanne wants to talk to him...Trembling with a mix of fear, hope and excitement, he goes to the rendezvous, only to learn that Roxanne is in love with a handsome young man, Christian de Neuvilette ; Christian is to incorporate the Cadets de Gascogne, and, not being a Gascon himself, she fears he may be roughed up or worse and is asking for Cyrano's protection, which he gallantly promises, accepting his defeat with secret despair.But in those days to be handsome wasn't enough and to win the heart of a "precious" meant to master the art of eloquence, and Christian, as chivalrous as he is, not only has none, but doesn't understand that it should be needed so badly when a man an a woman are already inclined to each other, risking to lose Roxanne with his directness.Cyrano decides to help Christian in wooing Roxanne, through his utmost brilliance in eloquence ; he'll be his voice at their secret rendezvous, his hand in writing his love letters...But won't he risk burning his proverbial wings getting closer and closer to what has been his personal sun for so many years? From then on you should watch the film without knowing too much, for it is a masterpiece on so many levels. The end, particularly, has drawn oceans of tears from hundreds of millions of eyes (the play book is a best-seller).But before giving my own appreciation on the film, one has to know the following facts : - There was actually a Cyrano de Bergerac, in the middle of the 17th century, and, except for the love story, he was EXACTLY what he is portrayed in the film, and perhaps even more interestingly so, in that he is considered a precursor of the enlightment and perhaps agnosticism ; he composed also incredibly touching poems about nature, yet one just needs to know that the most historically accurate fact in the film is his famous fight, and victory, against one hundred henchmen at the Porte de Buci, which was related by many written accounts of the time, to understand that he was a larger than life, extraordinary character.The french play writer Edmond Rostand, by the end of the XIX century became engrossed with this almost forgotten historical figure, and decided to revive him in a play, adding a love plot, using the historically attested, enormous but not particularly ugly, nose of Cyrano, as the catalyst for the story. The play was instantly a triumph and never ceased so, despite a curious use of the metric and some arguably convoluted verses, but the emotion is so there that no one in his mind can resist it ; this play is almost entirely respected in the film, verse for verse.Now the film in itself : first, hats off to Jean-Paul Rappeneau for his recreation of XVII th century Paris : it isn't a film played in this era, it is a film LIVED in this era ; one must watch it to believe it! it's an absolute shock, never have I felt such an immersion in time! the costumes, the streets, the houses, the light, the settings, the people, everything feels (and probably is) authentic.But especially hats off to Gérard Depardieu, who has understood the character so well, turning his frustration into bursts of pure fury, yet showing the widest palette of emotions, the deepest gallantry, the deepest sorrow, with such delicacy...If it were just for his act, one should watch the film. it's not for nothing that this is considered his career's pinnacle.I have only two negative remarks to make : First, Anne Brochet as Roxanne isn't convincing enough in my opinion, and she isn't as radiantly beautiful as I would have liked, but her role is difficult (who wouldn't be turned off eventually by such a pretentious lady nowadays?), and she acts magnificently during the end scene.Second, the fight scenes with Gérard Depardieu are more reminiscent of his role to come as Obelix, rather as to the finest fencer of his day ; now, one has to understand that the real Cyrano was only twenty when he did all his exploits, before being gravely injured on battle at twenty-two, and that good old Gégé was probably well in his thirties in the film...For the rest : a must watch, absolutely. If the end doesn't draw tears from your eyes, please contact Area 51 for you must be an Alien.

I love films of all kinds, and since liking Gerard Depardieu and being familiar with Rostand's classic play, I knew it was going to be good. But I wasn't expecting it to be this brilliant, I can't think of a film recently that struck me with how beautiful and poignant it was as much as Cyrano De Bergerac did.There were three major assets that really blew me over. One was how beautifully translated and subtitled it had been, I have not seen subtitles or dialogue this lyrical or poetic in a while. Two was how Cyrano De Bergerac was made. The costume design and scenery are truly sumptuous, as is the cinematography.Gerard Depardieu's performance is truly exceptional and I don't think he has been better, though Jean De Florette comes close. Depardieu is passionate, witty and very moving. The support cast with Anne Brochet and Vincent Perez particularly notable do a fine job matching him.Cyrano De Bergerac's story is one that is timeless, and for those who haven't yet seen it, it is most likely to emotionally resonate with you like it did with me. The music is both rousing and quietly understated too.Overall, I have nothing bad to say about Cyrano De Bergerac, it is the very definition of beauty and poetry on film, complete with an exceptional lead performance. 10/10 Bethany Cox