Claire
I can’t decide between two modern retellings of Cyrano, because they both warm the cockles of my heart with their romanticism and excessive ridiculousness. Firstly, there is Roxanne (1987). Starring Steve Martin and Darryl Hannah, this is the rom com Cyrano was alway meant to be. More recently and on the pop culture trend, there is Cyrano Agency (2010), which is a korean drama in which very attractive people who work at a love connection agency help other very attractive people find dates. It’s blissful fluff. No substance here, really, but all the enjoyment to be had!
If you’re looking for higher intellectual quality in your entertainment, search out Cyrano de Bergerac (1950). It is a black and white film for any young ‘uns out there, but don’t shy away! It’s amazing! Cyrano is at his wittiest prime. If you truly can’t handle the old timey affectations of this film, try the 1990 film of the same name, starring Gerard Depardieu very finely – and in color.
Erin
If you enjoyed the tragically french side of this story, I recommend the novella Colonel Chabert by Honore de Balzac. The story is about a man who is a soldier in Napoleon’s army. He gets married before he leaves for battle, and when he returns he finds that life has moved on without him. It’s beautiful and impactful for such a short story and it embodies all the best parts of french literature like Cyrano de Bergerac.
If you enjoyed the witty repartee along with the french setting, then I recommend the film Ridicule (1996). It is a movie all about the 18th century court of Versaille and how important a strong wit was in that time. It is a gorgeous film with beautiful sets and costuming, and you all know how much I enjoy good costuming. There are many levels to the movie and tons of character, but the quick back and forth of the dialogue echoes that present in Cyrano.