The consensus is strongly positive, with praise centred on Gérard Depardieu’s performance as Cyrano. Critics repeatedly find both swagger and sadness in his portrayal, crediting him with making the character’s romantic suffering convincing without diminishing his comic energy. Jean-Paul Rappeneau’s adaptation also earns broad approval for preserving the verse while giving the action pace and scale. The reviews admire the rich period detail, rhythmic delivery and ensemble work; Variety particularly values the balance between verbal and visual flamboyance.
There is little substantive disagreement, and these reviews identify no recurring weakness. The differences concern emphasis rather than verdict: some critics foreground the adaptation’s vigour and spectacle, while others concentrate on its emotional sincerity. The New York Times gives particular attention to the prosthetic nose as an expressive part of the character, rather than merely a technical accomplishment. Even the less effusive assessments remain firmly appreciative of Depardieu.