Cyrano by Joe Wright has lost his nose and his legendary tirades. But he takes full advantage of Peter Dinklage’s small stature, a new challenge for a musical very loosely adapted from Edmond Rostand’s play. The 1.35 meter comedian, known to the general public for his role as Tyrion Lannister in Game Of Thronesdoes not lack humor to evoke his character who will perhaps remain as one of the best Cyrano ever seen in cinema.
“What differentiates me from the Cyrano who preceded me is simple, explains Peter Dinklage to 20 minutes. They took their noses off when they left the stage, while my height remained the same once the spotlights were turned off. Replacing his nose with my height perhaps makes this Cyrano even more believable, with his complexes that prevent him from confessing his feelings for fear of being rejected. »
A Cyrano like no other
Madly in love with Roxanne (Haley Bennett) but unable to reveal his flame to her, Cyrano prefers, as in Rostand’s play, to favor the passion of his friend Christian, not smart but well built. “It is infuriating, laughs Peter Dinklage. We want to shake him to force him to confess his love. “His Cyrano, particularly touching, is so convincing that the spectator finds it difficult to understand that Roxanne does not fall into his arms. “He doesn’t really give him the opportunity,” insists Peter Dinklage. His way of thinking that Roxanne is too good for him also has something contemptuous about her, because he doesn’t consider her smart enough to ignore her looks. »
This Cyrano with a beautiful deep voice and devastating humor is very attractive, testifying to the dazzling charisma of Peter Dinklage as well as his courage to take on roles where he is not expected. “This piece is timeless because it plunges deep into the human soul, insists the actor. It is one of those classics whose theme can be declined at will. The tirade of the nose replaced by a song about the size of Peter Dinklage is very moving.
This new version can astonish, even disturb, by its sung passages which “constituted a real challenge for me, much more than the combat scenes”, admits Peter Dinklage. The actor is however as comfortable sword in hand as the song in the mouth. And if the whole escapes ridicule, it is thanks to its brilliant performance highlighting the lively skinned side of a deeply touching character.