Roxy

A rather condescending view of small-town hoopla. I suppose the film is an extended character study. Nothing wrong with that, but the film fails to engage. Interesting, the only passing reference to a lesbian affair, or fling, between two of the peripheral characters. I wonder if some of that subplot ended up on the cutting room floor. Inspired performances by Winona Ryder and Laila Robins couldn't save this movie. Grade: C

Winona Ryder has a big collection of forgotten but first-rate movies, and this is no exception. The acting was really good, and the music on the soundtrack made it memorable. Well worth a look, and a second, and a third...

Thomas Wilson Brown as Gerald Howells made this movie. This under used actor lent a sweet sentiment to a good movie that was having trouble finding it's way. Go ahead, watch it again. But, this time watch Thomas Wilson Brown. It becomes a whole different movie.

This movie is much more about Dinky Bossetti (Winona Ryder) than Roxy Carmichael. It is about unjustified discrimination. It is generic discrimination; it is not a racial, sexual or any typical reason for discrimination. Dinky is different and for that reason alone she is discriminated against. In my opinion, the reason for that discrimination seems too vague. You will enjoy the story if you can identify with the discrimination. In my opinion however it does not explain well enough why she is different.

At the beginning of the movie, Roxy Carmichael is frustrated by her life and leaves her husband and child in the hopes of success. The movie builds up the Roxy Carmichael character so strong that we just have to see what she is really like when she returns.

Roxy Carmicheal was quite a treat. It showcases a young Winona Ryder's very obvious talent for acting, especially outcast roles, continuing her alternative edged film performances beginning with Lucas and Beetle Juice, which would continue onward into the future. The film viewed as a character study is much more enjoyable than the film viewed as a story about the prodigal homecoming of the immortalized Roxy Carmicheal to which the title refers. The real beauty of the film is witnessing the trials, the pathos, the dilemmas, and the funny stunts of social misfit Dinky (Ryder's character). I fell in love with this character, seeing her as almost a female equivalent to myself (or as I once was anyway). If you are in any way a misfit or rebel, whether you are male or female, you will instantly relate and have empathy for the character of Dinky, who virtually carries the film on her back (due credit should be given to Jeff Daniels' performance though, as another testimonial to his fine dramatic acting abilities). Unfortunately it somehow does not really work as a unified whole, but I agree with those who say this is underrated. It succeeds in creating a memorable and poignant atmosphere that may linger in the viewers' hearts and minds for a time afterward.