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UCFC Movie Reviews Cyrano de Bergerac Year: 1990 Director: Jean-Paul Rappeneau Maitre d'arms: William Hobbs Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Ann Brochet, Vincent Perez, Jacques Weber Review by V. Bjerreskov (02 07 23) Watching this film back-to-back with Ferrer's Cyrano is an interesting experience. Both are good films of the same story, but the differences between them are marked. Quite possibly, it has to do with the fact that the film industry was forty years older by the time this film was released. While not as true to the original play as Ferrer's version, this film is intelligently selective about what pieces of information to include. For example, we are told how exactly Cyrano and Roxanne are related, whereas this piece of information was left out of the Ferrer version. Still, some scenes are missing, and some are moved in terms of setting, but overall, the changes are well thought out. The settings are also chosen with extreme care. For example, when the action is outside, they're actually outside, not on a sound stage! But that comes with technology. And let's not mention the fact that this version is in French! I didn't follow all the dialogue, but what I did follow indicated to me that the subtitles left a little to be desired. Some people take issue with Gérard Depardieu as a believable Cyrano, but I thought he did a great job. Yes, he isn't as flamboyant as Ferrer, didn't wear his emotions on his sleeve quite as much. Cyrano's passion and aggression are more carefully masked in Depardieu, but I could still sense the undercurrent, a hint of Ferrer in his acting. He also takes pains to appear older and dying in the final scene. Brochet is a far better Roxanne, actually intelligent, affected, and emotional. Perez is a wonderfully pretty Christian, and Weber is an excellent de Guiche, a real asset to the sub-plot. BUT... the fencing. While flamboyant, sweeping, full motion duels might be in keeping with the character, they aren't terribly realistic or believable. Luckily, most of the major duels are done in darkness, and through spliced scenes, so we don't have to analyse them too closely. I enjoy this film. It is visually wonderful, well acted, and, despite slightly lacking subtitles, very understandable. It remains my favourite of the versions I've seen so far. Back to Movie Reviews Home  |  About Us   |  About Fencing   |  Links  |  Photo Gallery Image Bank  |  Reviews   |  Fencing Fun  |  Contact Us