In his case, he became a legend about a big nose, and a big personality.
Is it in the words we speak, or in the prettiness of our smiles?
Its a subject that has an uneasy relationship with cinema.
Visually attractive configs and people draw in an audience.
Has the story ever really been done faithfully?
Well, there have been many screen incarnations of the French poet-warrior in question, dating back to 1900.
But perhaps my favourite modern screen comedy based on Cyrano isThe Truth About Cats And Dogs(1996).
Her friend Noelle (Uma Thurman) is that quintessential tall slim blonde.
They both long for what the other has.
Together we make the perfect woman, Noelle muses as they examine beauty products in a department store.
No, you and I combined make the perfect political prisoner, Abby tells her.
What we do really well is act self-righteous and starve.
With the dry, tongue-in-cheek tone established, Brian (Ben Chaplin) comes into the picture.
He speaks to Abby as part of her radio show, and falls for the voice.
Who would Brian choose, if he knew the truth?
The plotline may seem traditional, but its the tweaks to this well-worn story that makes it shine.
Its not enough to simply win the attention of Brian.
They have to work out how to be themselves, and have good relationships with both friends and lovers.
There is, I think, an inherent unfairness at the heart of all versions ofCyrano De Bergerac.
How else could she inspire such poetry?
But often, as a consequence, she is less than fleshed out as a person.
But until those versions come along, I recommend going back and revisitingThe Truth About Cats And Dogs.
Rarely has the big screen managed to make love look less about how great we appear in close-up.
