Joe Wright’s Cyrano is exceptionally pretty filmmaking that’s elevated by strong performances. Yes sir, this frequently adapted tale is told with some fresh updates, the biggest of which being the musical numbers. Admittedly, the songs are all rather dreary and not the least bit memorable. But, they are all performed remarkably well. In fact, it’s the performances that deserve a large portion of the praise, as everyone delivers some fairly sincere depictions. It’s our lead, Peter Dinklage, who shines brightest, however. The actor commands the screen with tenderness and effortless charisma at every turn. Dinklage navigates the romance and humour with precision by quite literally never missing a beat. It also helps that the material he gets to work with has been given some modernized and respectful revisions. The production is also a gorgeous sight to behold, as are the hair and costume designs. Trust me, the beautiful detail that has been paid to the film’s look is extraordinary. And despite some unevenness in the overall story, its beauty always shines through!