Roxanne Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Roxanne dreamed of a handsome, intelligent, romantic man. C.D. Bales is two out of three... but looks aren't everything!
This is a remake of Cyrano de Bergerac, one of the most celebrated plays of the French theater, written by Edmond Rostand. Instead of being set in 17th century France, "Cyrano" has been changed to "Charlie", a fire chief in a small town in Washington. Roxanne, played by the beautiful Darryl Hanna, rents a house for the summer to look at comets and Charlie quickly falls for her. Charlie is intelligent, funny, and sensitive, but all his fine qualities are unfortunately overshadowed by his very large nose ("Excuse me, it that your nose or did a bus park on your face?"). Charlie's friend, Chris, on the other hand, is quite attractive, but superficial and awkward with words, especially around women (he has a tendency to throw up a lot). Both men are enthralled with Roxanne, but she, in a shallow but predictable move, shows interest in the handsome Chris. Chris is tongue-tied around her — everything that comes out of his mouth is either vulgar or indecipherable. So he asks Charlie for help. Charlie, inspired, writes 3 love letters a day to Roxanne, unbeknownst to Chris. Charlie's eloquent letters work, because Roxanne falls in love with Chris. But Chris can't meet Roxanne's expectations in person and he soon runs off with a waitress who is "pretty cute, too".
| Steve Martin | C.D. 'Charlie' Bales |
| Daryl Hannah | Roxanne Kowalski |
| Rick Rossovich | Chris McConnell |
| Shelley Duvall | Dixie |
| John Kapelos | Chuck |
| Fred Willard | Mayor Deebs |
| Max Alexander | Dean |
| Michael J. Pollard | Andy |
| Steve Mittleman | Ralston |
| Damon Wayans | Jerry |
| Matt Lattanzi | Trent |
| Shandra Beri | Sandy the Barmaid |
| Blanche Rubin | Sophie |
| Jane Campbell | Dottie |
| Jean Sincere | Nina |
| Fred Schepisi |
6.60 out of 10 (10818 votes)
Visitor Reviews
PG-13
posted on 05 Jul 2009I am eighteen years old and I was stupid enough to watch this movie with my family. "Roxanne" was innappropriate for family viewing due to I don't know how many references to sex, and one shot of the title character's backside while she was, shall we say, un-clothed. It was a funny movie, and I might possibly recommend it for adults and older teens, but definitely not for anyone under the age of fifteen. I do not see how this movie could have earned a PG rating instead of PG-13, which I believe it deserved.
A Cinematic Mongrel
posted on 13 Jun 2009This movie is gorgeous. It has the look of La Dolce Vita -- only in color. Now, please, calm down: I'm not saying it's anywhere near as good as La Dolce Vita. I'm just saying that when I look at it, framing-wise, it's clear that Schepisi has done a good amount of homework. (Schepisi is an Italian name, no?)So we have a more or less Italian take on a French story with an American comic by an Australian director. This probably should have resulted in a horribly expensive exercise in mediocrity. Instead, it's one of the most delightful films ever made. I've used it several times as an antidote to the evening news. Good Christmas gift.
A great Steve Martin classic
posted on 04 Jun 2009I saw this movie in English after reading the play Cyrano De Bergerac, and I fell in love with both the play and movie in an instant. Steve Martin plays C.D. (Charlie) Bales, who falls in love with the beautiful Roxanne (Daryl Hannah). However, the handsome Chris falls in love with her, but doesn't know how to express it. If you have read the play, you can probably guess what happens next. I really loved this film, and I hope to see it again soon. Steve Martin is wonderful as Charlie, and I hope he can continue doing great work in the future. Daryl Hannah is a good actress as well. Charlie and Roxanne are a great couple, and you'll have to see the movie to figure out if they end up together.
Just doesn't work as a whole
posted on 26 Apr 2009"Roxanne" is a not-bad romantic comedy that is never a pain to watch, but the story just didn't work for me. Steve Martin is a talented comedy writer, but in this case he tries so hard that many of the scenes seem more written than acted. Some of the gags work and others are way too heavy-handed--like the ones involving Martin's squad of inept firemen. I understand it's a farce, but some of the comedy is just way too silly to be funny. The romantic triangle is sappy and predictable, even though I haven't seen the original "Cyrano De Bergiac." Martin usually tends to work wonders, even when the script isn't terrific, but I consider this to be one of his lesser works. Die-hard romantics might think differently, though. My score: 6 (out of 10)
Absolutely Brilliant
posted on 15 Apr 2009I don't usually review movies, but I do feel strongly about this particular one. I have probably watched it better than 15 times, and it just may be my all-time favorite, for a number of reasons. First of all, I am a huge "Cyrano de Bergerac" fan--I've read the play a number of times, and seen both the more recent French version, and the 1950 English language adaptation. I had despaired of ever finding an English-language version that captured the beauty and wonderful humor of the original play, but Steve Martin does a fabulous adaptation here, in Roxanne. He works the best elements of the play seamlessly into modern times, always staying true to the heart of the matter, while making the story accessible for today's audience. It doesn't hurt that his performance is spot-on: the perfect mixture of dreaminess and self-loathing, sweetness and acerbic wit. Darryl Hannah also does a great job bringing Roxanne (previously a relatively flat character) to real life, making her a human being instead of an untouchable goddess. Every time I watch this movie, I get something different out of it, and to my mind, that's the hallmark of a great film.
Steve Martin proves he has a great nose for comedy
posted on 16 Mar 2009This film is just as charming & funny as when I first saw it in 1987. Unquestionably, one of Martin's best, ranking alongside "L.A. Story", "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" and "Parenthood".
Only Martin could weave a whimsical romantic tale of a Seattle fire chief (with a prominent proboscis) who adores the beautiful Roxanne (Darryl Hannah, naturally),who's infatuated with the hunky new fireman (timid but likeable Rick Rossovich)who likes her too---but is terrified of talking to her.
Martin modernizes the Cyrano deBergerac story with wonderful comic touches: A "sword" duel with tennis rackets & ski equipment; Martin contending with a hopelessly inept fire crew; a show-stopping bar scene in which Martin cuts a bullying lout down to size with a "nose joke marathon"; and Martin coaching a bumbling Rossovich on how to romance Hannah. Yet, Martin wisely retains the heart of deBergerac's original themes: Believing in oneself and the delirious intoxication of being in love.
An overlooked comedy---and if you're a Steve Martin fan, then this one's a must!
Oh! Irony! No, we don't get that here.
posted on 20 Aug 2008One of Steve Martin's very best vehicles, in my opinion. Fred Willard, Shelley Duvall & Michael J. Pollard are in fine fettle, and look for cameos by (then) up-and coming comics Rich Shydner & Kevin Nealon. Interspersed with exquisite wordplay are slapstick scenes of side-splitting ilk.
An Inexpecably Overlooked Film
posted on 23 Apr 2008A wonderful film. Funny and romantic, I have no idea why it was so overlooked when it came out. Cyrano de Bergerac is a wonderful story, but it is a "classic" and that scares many people off.
Perhaps the best "Chick Flick" in my library; I find myself returning to it again and again.
A nose by any other name...
posted on 08 Apr 2008I have to admit I never liked Steve Martin as a comedian. In this movie, however, he shines, dispalying his excepitonial tallent as both a writer and actor. It's a brilliant piece of work.
I don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said, except this: If you haven't believed any of the other people raving about this film, take my word for it and buy it. You won't be sorry.
Great movie, except for Daryl Hannah
posted on 17 Feb 2008Didn't anybody else find Hannah's performance here to be...lacking? She just doesn't make it. The last scene, in which her character declares her love for Martin's character, is almost unbearable for me to watch, she's so lame and unbelievable. Despite her physical beauty, I can't accept that Martin's character would fall for her. He's so full of life and she doesn't show near enough character to match him. I don't think she's a good actress.
Sorry, Daryl.
nobody nose better...
posted on 07 Feb 2008Martin's charming, self-written rom-com update of the classic Cyrano De Bergerac story (his character is even given the C.D.B. initials) is still winning lo these years later. Things begin with the small-town arrival of the scholarly Hannah and beefcake fireman Rossovich, which pits Martin between the two. He feels an instant attraction to Hannah's brainy but cute astronomer, but has forever felt inferior to such women because of his lengthy schnozz. She naturally makes eyes at Rossovich who is actually written in a most original way: he freezes up when it comes to approaching the ladies.Now what would the perfect complication for Martin be? Yep, the simpleton stud comes to him for help in breaking the ice with Hannah. Martin is so smitten that he (I would assume) feels his only way to express *his* feelings toward her and get away with it, would be to help Rossovich out. This sets off a number of mistaken intellectual identities and some very effective comedy of errors.Martin was credited with playing an actual grounded character for once, which was a welcome change. Which is not to say he doesn't inject his usual schtick in from time to time, but here he doesn't overdo it. His zany throwaways like paying to return a newspaper to its stand after squealing about a headline, or mocking the town mayor for an empty contest idea, are just right. And of course, the scene that really made the film, was the "20 something betters" in regards to insults about his nose when challenged by a bar blowhard.My only real gripe with the flick is the time-frame in which things unfold. The whole story takes place only over about a week's time, involving sex, falling in love, desertion, secrets, etc. It takes away the smallest amount of credibility to the character's integrity as they so effortlessly let themselves go. Plus there's a violently awkward opening that sees Martin beat the hell of of pair of scumbag drunks, as well as his needless bit where he falls from a tree and blathers away about extraterrestrials. But it's hardly enough to ruin any of the fine work here.There are a lot of little things done right, such as the sure-handed direction of Schepisi and a rather pleasant music score. Much credit must also go to Rossovich, who stuns with his dead-accurate "dumb-guy" persona, which in the hands of the wrong actor, would've wrung false. Not a moment of his lunkhead Romeo act feels forced, and it really grabs your attention. And lastly, a much overlooked fact of this film is that Martin wrote it. That he could balance such a multitude of personalities so effectively is beyond impressive. This is never more in evidence than in the purposely laughable exchange between Rossovich and an equally scatterbrained female bartender. His line about a "meat sandwich in the mountains" still nets a big-time laugh.If you want breezy without being boring, and the cozy feeling of sleepytown singles life, Roxanne still brings the goods.
Roxanne
posted on 21 Jan 2008Steve Martin is C.D. Bales, a perfect catch for any woman except for one drawback. He has a huge nose. Everyone is hypnotized by it. No one can ignore it. The movie is a take-off on the play, Cyrano de Bergerac. C.D. works for the fire department and falls for Roxanne, an astronomy student. Because of his nose, he courts her through a friend. Romance and humor intertwine. The scene in which Martin enumerates insults about his nose is brilliant.
Good movie
posted on 06 Jan 2008I loved this movie when I was younger. It's still magical, but for whatever reason, it isn't the five star film I remembered. That's alright because it's still a good date movie if you want to stay home. My one big quibble is that the special feature section is so minimal. The studios should really go back and give these classic old movies the proper treatment they deserve.
Should become a comedy classic
posted on 26 Oct 2007This is Cyrano de Bergerac updated and told with the craziness of Steve Martin's brain--a wonderful, funny movie. Martin is the fire chief of a scenic Northwest resort town. There are two newcomers to town: a professional firefighter (Rick Rossovich) and a beautiful female astronomer (Daryl Hannah). Martin, the self-assured, passionate but ugly (that schnoz) chief and Rossovich, the dumb but handsome hunk both fall for Hannah; of course Hannah is interested in the hunk. But Rossovich is unable to talk to bright women, so Martin feeds him lines and Hannah is swept off her feet. The mistaken identity is all worked out satisfactorily by picture's end (Martin wins Hannah). Everything works perfectly in this movie, and Martin is at his very best. I've watched this quite a few times over the years and the humor never gets stale. A terrific movie.
One of Steve Martin's truest performances
posted on 25 Oct 2007Considering the slump Steve Martin's career has been in, you sometimes have to revisit his earlier efforts to remind yourself of what a fine comedian he can be. As well as fine actor.I don't always like Steve Martin in everything. His manic energy can be perfectly employed when given the proper material to work from. But sometimes his antics do feel ever so over the top you wish you had a muzzle for the man. His best performances tend to be the ones he personally identifies with. He was wonderful in Planes, Trains & Automobiles and LA Story. And he's just as wonderful in Roxanne.In a script written by Martin, and adapted from Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, Martin plays C.D. Bales, the fire chief of picture postcard smalltown USA.C.D. is an affable chap. He's got a refreshing wit, sharp insights and a poetic use of the English language. He's quite a popular figure in town, but there's one thing about himself he really dislikes. He has an enormous nose.Its so big he often looks like Pinocchio after telling a few white lies. C.D. has learnt to live with his nose (not that he has much choice!). He can even make jokes about it. But he's never learnt to like it.When pretty astronomer Roxanne Kowalski (Daryl Hannah) moves into town, she captures his heart right from the start. And while Roxanne can see past the nose on his face, she can't see into C.D's soul, even if its plain as the...well you know the rest!Roxanne is a film of simple pleasures. And there are many. But thanks to Steve Martin's wonderfully embodied performance, the film really shines. I've never actually seen Cyrano de Bergerac, but Martin quite excels in the role he's rewritten for himself.As much as Martin's skills as a comic performer are praised, he does tend to get overlooked when it comes to his writing ability. He composed a quite lyrical ode to the city of Los Angeles in LA Story. One of the richest and accessible films he's ever had the pleasure of starring in. And I can say very much the same thing of Roxanne.Martin has tailored the screenplay to his own specifications. He's written it to showcase his talents and play to his skills as best as possible. He is the undoubted heart and soul of the entire picture. And whether he be funny, moving or downright poetic, he is superb on all counts.To list the film's highlights is an impossible task. There are just so many. I suppose any scene with Martin would qualify. But one scene that stands head and shoulders above the rest is the scene with C.D. in a bar.Allow me to set the scene for you. C.D. is having a night out with Roxanne and his sister Dixie (sweetly played by Shelley Duvall). A rude man comes over and comments on C.D's "big nose." Instead of feeling offended, C.D. comes up with 25 nose-related puns. One each funnier than the last. All capped by the final superb joke, "You're name wouldn't be Dick would it?!"What a scene! It's one of the best sustained four minutes of comedy you'll ever see. And I'll bet it was all improvised too. Steve Martin likes to set challenges for himself. And he rises to this one admirably. His gift of improvisation is the hallmark of a true comedian. And this film (but especially this scene) has Martin at the top of his peak.But its not just Steve Martin that provides the fun. Daryl Hannah is quite perfect in the role of Roxanne. She's always been an actress looking out for since her breakout role in Splash! And as Roxanne, she is positively luminous.Although her scenes with Martin don't sizzle, they do enjoy an earnest, comfortable sort of chemistry. The scene where it looks like she's about to return C'D's feelings is poignant, because she keeps building up his hopes over this man she's grown attracted to, until it turns out she was talking about one of C'D's coworkers at the fire station. You feel just as crushed as C.D.I hate to keep carping on and on about Steve Martin, but he is just so wonderful in this film I can't help it. He gets to play to the hilt without ever going over the top. He not only gets to show off his talent for physical comedy, but the smart screenplay allows him to adopt a more intelligent stride too.The scene where he tries on different noses for size is fun but surprisingly disturbing too. Although C.D. looks normal with a button nose, he also looks unremarkable. Without his most defining characteristic, he's just another face in the crowd. He wouldn't be C.D. anymore.And Roxanne wouldn't eventually fall in love with C.D. I suppose we saw that coming from the offset. But who cares. C.D. Bales is one of Steve Martin's truest and most well defined characters. He deserves his happy ending. Roxanne is an absolute pleasure. A film so light in its step it practically flies.
Nice Little "Cyrano de Bergerac" Update.
posted on 22 Oct 2007Creative little comedy that is basically a "Cyrano de Bergerac" for the 1980s crowd. Local fire marshal Steve Martin has a large nose and has the hots for Daryl Hannah. However he thinks that he has no chance with her and just behaves like Hannah is a friend and nothing more. Later new fire-fighter Rick Rossovich comes to town and he immediately falls in love with Hannah, but he is not very good at expressing himself. Thus he gets Martin to supply the words and thoughts to get Hannah. Hannah naturally falls in love with Rossovich, thinking that he is the one who makes her heart flutter, but will she ever learn the real truth? A formulaic idea ends up working well due to a clever screenplay and good comedic turns from the key players. An enjoyable experience in the end. 4 stars out of 5.
Steve Martin at his best
posted on 13 Oct 2007A Cyrano remake, this charming film shows the ability of Martin to be something more than the Jerk. Great dialog, good acting (Hannah was weak, but I am being picky here), and beautiful scenary. The "sword fighting" scene in the beginning of the movie and the 20 nse insults are classic and will used in the film. An absolute don't miss romantic comedy.
"When you smell the flowers, are they afraid?"
posted on 02 May 2007C.D. Bales (Steve Martin) is an erudite small-town fire chief, who is cursed with an abnormally huge nose. He doesn't gladly suffer fools who make the mistake of commenting on his proboscis. One evening, he meets the beautiful, naked astronomer Roxanne (Daryl Hannah), who has been locked out of her house and bathrobe. C.D. falls in love and Roxanne falls into feelings of friendship. The sexy, sarcastic stargazer, instead, has a crush on new hunky firefighter Chris (Rick Rossovich). It turns out that Chris is also interested but becomes very nervous in her presence. He turns to C.D., who reluctantly helps him woo the girl of both their dreams. C.D. composes an intoxicating, soulful love letter, which enables Chris to win the girl. But how long can C.D. keep a rein on his true feelings for Roxanne? The original Cyrano de Bergerac, which this movie is based on, doesn't end on a happy note. Will this version?
Yes, this is my favorite Steve Martin film of all time (a close second being L.A. Story). It's romantic, thoughtful, clever and hilarious, with probably one of the better portrayals of unrequited love I've seen in pictures. The bar scene, where C.D. faces down an insulting drunk, is an instant classic. Another gem is C.D, in his guise as Chris, courting Roxanne beneath her window. Martin, who wrote the screenplay, is charming and earnest and puts his heart and soul in C.D. Bales; he makes you root wholeheartedly for him. Lovely Daryl Hannah has never been better or looked more ravishing, in her embodiment of the sexy, intelligent Roxanne Kowalski. Rick Rossovich is so good as the clueless, dimwitted Chris that I don't know if he'll ever be able to live the role down.
Roxanne is a sweet little movie, replete with exquisite physical comedy and heady wit, with a great cast of supporting characters (Shelley Duvall, John Kapelos, Michael J. Pollard, etc). Part of the movie's charm is the way it mines the hapless volunteer firefighters' ineptness for goodnatured, slapstick humor. Roxanne incorporates its storyline seamlessly into the charming small town backdrop, lending a quaint, more intimate feel to the picture. If you haven't seen this one yet, do yourself a favor, and I promise: your heart will ache and maybe even break, but in a good way.
Steve Martin is hilarious!
posted on 20 Jul 2009This is a classic Steve Martin movie. He is sooo funny, the best Steve Martin ever! My favorite scene is when C.D. (Steve) says 20 insults about his nose. I highly recommend this movie because the plot is sweet and funny, and the characters are great!