It’s not the first time for “Cyrano” as a major motion picture.

The latest version directed by Joe Wright and starring Peter Dinklage is one of the most intriguing.

Yes, there’s the love triangle of Roxanne (Haley Bennett), Christian (Kevin Harrison Jr.) and Cyrano (Peter Dinklage).

And Cyrano is still writing notes where he waxes poetic about his love for Roxanne. The notes are still passed off as written by Christian, who is still a handsome rake, to woo Roxanne, who is still a lovely damsel. Cyrano is still heartsick for Roxanne.

The long and short of it is that there is no longer a prominently protruding proboscis to mark Cyrano as an ineligible suitor for Roxanne. Instead, Cyrano is a dwarf.

“Cyrano,” with a screenplay by Erica Schmidt, is based on the 2018 off-Broadway musical of the same title, which is based on the original play, “Cyrano de Bergerac,” written in 1897 by Edmond Rostand, who is believed to have been based the fable on a real person.

The movie is an all-singing, all-dancing musical. The music works seamlessly. The dancing? Not so much.

There are 12 songs with music by Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner and lyrics by Matt Berninger and Carin Besser.

The songs, mostly sung by Dinklage, Bennett and Harrison in solo or duet, are lovely, with memorable lyrics and melodies in the style of songs from “Les Misserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Evita” and “Beauty and the Beast.” The songs could enter the cabaret singers’ lexicon.

“Cyrano” joins a cinematic “Cyrano de Bergerac” body of work, among them, starring in the title role: José Ferrer (1950), Christopher Plummer (1962), Gérard Depardieu (1990) and Kevin Kline (2008). The adaptation, “Roxanne” (1987), starred Steve Martin.

Wright is an old hand at directing history-based movies and costume dramas: “The Darkest Hour,” 2017; “Pan,” 2015; “Anna Karenina,” 2012; “Hanna,” 2011; “The Soloist,” 2009; “Atonement,” 2007, and “Pride & Prejudice,” 2005.

Wright directs “Cyrano” with panache, a word said to be introduced into the vernacular by the original 19th century play.

The film is lensed beautifully by Director of Photography Seamus McGarvey (Oscar nominee, cinematography, “Anna Karenina,” “Atonement”).

The costumes are sumptuous, especially the gowns worn by Roxanne. “Cyrano” only received one Oscar nomination, that for Costume Design (Massimo Cantini Parrini, Jacqueline Durran, the latter who designed Roxanne’s costumes).

Dinklage (four-time Emmy recipient, supporting actor, drama, TV’s “Game of Thrones,” 2019, 2018, 2015, 2011) is intense, sympathetic and tragic in his portrayal of Cyrano. His big eyes, ironic smile and slow-burn wince convey a sense of infinite sadness.

Bennett (“Hillbilly Elegy,” 2020; “Swallow,” 2019) has a luminous screen presence and is perfectly cast as Roxanne. She expresses a range of emotions, from petulance, to quiet reflection, to tantalizing enthusiasm.

Harrison (“The Trial of the Chicago 7,” 2020) is fresh and fun as Christian. Ben Mendelsohn is superb and almost unrecognizable as Duke De Guiche.

“Cyrano” successfully builds on the Cyrano de Bergerac cottage industry. I went for the story. I stayed for the songs.

“Cyrano,”

MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.) for some strong violence, thematic and suggestive material, and brief language; Genre: Romance, Drama, Musical; Run time: 2 hours, 3 minutes. Distributed by United Artists Releasing.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“Cyrano” was filmed in Sicily and Syracuse, Italy.

At The Movies:

“Cyrano” was seen at the AMC Center Valley 16, The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Upper Saucon Township.

Theatrical Movie Box Office,

March 4 - 6: “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson as the latest star to don the bat suit, did pre-pandemic numbers, akin to summer season numbers that start around Memorial Day weekend, again putting the viability of super hero blockbusters in the spotlight to bring fans back to the movie theaters.

“The Batman” opened at No. 1 with $128.5 million in 4,417 theaters, outshining “Uncharted,” dropping from its two-week No. 1 spot to No. 2 with $11 million, in 3,875 theaters, $100.2 million, three weeks.

3. “Dog” dropped one place, $6 million, in 3,507 theaters, $40 million, three weeks. 4. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” dropped one place, $4.4 million, in 2,709 theaters, $786.4 million, 12 weeks. 5. “Death on the Nile” dropped one place, $2.7 million, in 2,565 theaters, $37 million, four weeks. 6. “Sing 2” stayed in place, $1.5 million, in 2,026 theaters, $153.5 million, 11 weeks. 7. “Jackass Forever” dropped two places, $1.3 million, in 1,981 theaters, $54.4 million, five weeks. 8. “Cyrano” moved up one place, $683,607, in 797 theaters, $2.5 million, two weeks. 9. “Gangubai Kathiawadi,” opening, $592,000. 10. “Scream” stayed in place, $570,000, in 853 theaters, $80 million, eight weeks.

Box office information from Box Office Mojo as of March 6 is subject to change.

Unreel,

March 11:

“Tyson’s Run,”

PG: Kim Bass directs Major Dodson, Amy Smart, Barkhad Abdi and Layla Felder in the drama. An boy with autism wants to be a marathon runner.

“Offseason,”

No MPAA Rating: Mickey Keating directs Jocelin Donahue, Joe Swanberg, Richard Brake and Melora in the Horror film. A woman becomes trapped in an island town.

Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of March 6 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes