रॉक्सैन

I do not routinely enjoy Steve Martin, but was extremely impressed with the sensitivity and deftness with which he played Cyrano de Bergerac in modern guise. There is nothing archaic or stilted about the script, yet it is surprisingly faithful to the character of the original play (which in turn is closely based on Cyrano's true history). Numerous scenes - including most of the best ones - are lifted almost intact from the Edmond Rostand play, but a viewer who is unfamiliar with that source probably will have no idea which scenes they are. The poetry, imaginative spark and romantic instincts of the original play are handled lovingly and with finesse. Daryl Hannah is just right as a thoroughly modern Roxanne, willingly surprised to find that there is still romance in the world. You do not have to be familiar with the source to enjoy this witty, satisfying, and very funny movie - but if you are, you will enjoy it all the more.

Note added 2015: When I first wrote the above in 1999, Steve Martin had not yet done most of his (in my view) best work; but I still go back to this as my very favorite of his performances.

I never thought that Steve Martin would ever play a leading role in a romantic comedy, because his humor doesn't exactly fit in with the humor normally used in the genre. But when I had the chance to see this movie, I didn't hesitate. I like several of Steve Martin's movies and most of the time I have some good laughs with his comedies. Hoping that this movie wouldn't be an exception to that rule, I hoped for the best of it and I must say that it didn't disappoint me.

"Roxanne" is a modern remake of Cyrano De Bergerac and it shows. C.D. (Charlie) Bales is a fire chief in a small mountain town who has been 'blessed' with a gigantic nose that keeps drawing all attention towards it. When he meets Roxanne for the first time he immediately falls for her. She's an astronomer who is not only smart, but also beautiful, just what Charlie is looking for in a woman. But he is convinced that she will not like him because of his looks and when he hires Chris, a new fire-fighter who is good-looking, but who is very shallow and doesn't know how to react when it comes to women, the for Charlie worst thing imaginable happens. Chris has seen Roxanne in a bar and is interested in her, but because he's so bad with words, he asks his boss to help him win her for him. Charlie helps him with his problem, easily finding the right words because of what he feels for Roxanne himself and Roxanne falls in love with Chris. But only a couple of weeks later Chis runs off with one of her friends, a waitress who is 'pretty cute too' and she finds out the truth about C.D. and Chris...

I never expected it, but I really liked this movie. This isn't the typical romantic comedy that you probably have seen so many times before. The main reason for that is that it is a rather typical Steve Martin movie and therefor has an entirely different kind of humor. And I liked it. Especially the scene in the bar where he has to name 20 good insults about his nose is excellent. But that certainly isn't the only good scene in this movie. The entire movie is better than average. And despite the fact that I didn't think that Steve Martin would be able to play an important role in a romantic comedy, I must admit that he did a very good job with this role. C.D. is perhaps not the best looking guy, but he has portrayed him as a very likable person. Daryl Hannah too did a nice job playing Roxanne and Rick Rossovich was interesting as the incredibly shallow Chris.

Overall this is an interesting and funny movie that is a lot better than the average romantic comedy, thanks to the original approach of the story. For once we don't get to see a couple of perfect people, but a guy who normally isn't able to get a pretty girlfriend because of his looks. I really appreciated that in this movie and I give it a 7/10 for that.

If you don't like Steve Martin, watch this movie and you will. This movie so perfectly showcases his talents, both physical and verbal. The supporting cast is good too. The first scene with Daryl Hannah is great, as was the 20 better insults scene, but the highlight of the movie, at least for me, was Chris's first date with Roxanne. The whole thing where he's at her house is so hilarious. This movie is very funny, yet it never sacrifices the characters for humor. An underrated classic, sure to brighten your day.

Steve Martin's genius as a comic actor has never been in doubt. But once in a while even a genius does something astounding. For Martin it is "Roxanne". Possibly THE funniest movie that I have ever seen, not to mention passionately romantic, it also does something that so few movies are able to do today... it stays intelligent despite the humor. In today's Hollywood so many comedies fall into the trap of deplorable slapstick and gratuitous cussing, "Roxanne" succeeds in entertaining us through colorful characters, enchanting surprises, and witty intelligent dialogue. Where have movies like this gone to? Where were they to begin with? A rare jewel in the sands of Hollywood, see this movie like your life depends on it (tip to the wise: take a date). Pay special attention to the character of Andy, he is a special treat throughout the film. Also look for a VERY young Damon Wayans. The treats abound.

In Nelson, the chief of the firemen C. D. Bales (Steve Martin) is a man with complex since he has a huge nose. When his friend Dixie (Shelley Duvall) rents her house to the gorgeous student of astronomy Roxanne (Daryl Hannah), he falls in love with her but keeps his feelings as a secret. C.D. hires the handsome fireman Chris (Rick Rossovich) and Roxanne asks C.D. to help her to date him. However Chris is an average American with very limited culture and he asks C.D. to help him to get in her pants. C.D. writes letters disclosing his feelings for her and Roxanne is seduced by the man that writes such letters. What will happen when she meets Chris?

"Roxanne" is a totally different version of "Cyrano De Bergerac" by Edmond Rostands. There are many versions of this romantic play in the cinema history, but none of them with a modernization of the story. The beauty of Daryl Hannah is impressive and her chemistry with the large nosed Steve Martin is fantastic. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Roxanne"