SPOILER ALERT: (if you can spoil a classic)
I disagree with you. I thought Jennifer's performance was over-the-top to the point of being distracting. I felt the same way about Le Bret, and at certain points Le Guiche. Given that I know Garner and the others can do better, I am guessing that it was the director's choice to intentionally "dumb down" the masterpiece as to make it more accessible to the average theater-goer. While I understand this decision, it saddens me. This particular adaptation was not my favorite either, several of my favorite lines were cut, and the death scene was re-arranged. I guess it was for dramatic irony (you learn Cyrano is dying before you see him in Act V), but I felt the original version (with the audience learning about what happened an hour before supper on the night of the 26th in the middle of the scene) was much more poignant.
I also was confused as to why Ragueneau seemed a much smaller part than I remember him. They cut his recipe and his arrival at Arras seemed much more casual than I envision it (I have read three different translations and watched three others, now that this one is included)...
I was disappointed by a great deal of it, but perhaps my expectations were too high...
Now for the good points:
Kevin Kline was brilliant. He pegged the attitude of a great hero of mine, and I loved it.
The set was also brilliant. The balcony scene's staging was the best version I've ever seen, and better than any I've imagined.
The story still made me cry.
It's not impossible...
Updated On: 1/7/09 at 09:00 PM