Rent Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

Bignose Strikes Again. - Cyrano de Bergerac review by Steve

This spectacular adaptation of Edmond Rostand's classic romance (1897) is surely destined to remain the definitive version. It's a lyrical tour de force in couplets (subtitles translated by Anthony Burgess) of a moral and immensely moving story. On the screen this is then elevated by Gérard Depardieu's huge performance.

This is a historical drama on a grand scale, with breathtaking artistic design of Paris in 1640 and Oscar winning costumes. Plus the magnificent orchestral score. But it's primarily a vehicle for its star, as the poet, wit and soldier; a romantic, raconteur and loyal friend with a colossal heart who reserves his true genius for his life.

Cyrano secretly courts the lovely, swooning Roxanne for his military comrade (Vincent Perez), assured his own abnormality- yes, the prodigious nose- makes him an unsuitable lover. Anne Brochet is so heartbreakingly beautiful as the inspiration for his unrequited love, viewers may also be moved to compose verse, in couplets.

It received 13 César nominations and its ten wins is still a record. This is the ultimate interpretation of perhaps the greatest love story ever told. It's astonishing that Rostand loaded all this romantic mythology onto an actual 17th century writer/libertine. And leaves us an eternal model to aspire to, even if it's only a dream of life!