A Volta de Roxy Carmichael

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

I recall seeing this film over a decade ago and eventually bought the video because I liked it so much. It's not particularly fantastic but it is good sweet endearing little film which I can kind of relate to as well as a lot of people who felt a little different and that they stood out during their puberty years. The only popular actors/actresses I can recall in this film is Winona Ryder, Jeff Daniels, Dinah Manoff and Frances Fisher(before the Titanic franchise).

The basic premise of this film is about a former town outcast and title of this film Roxy Carmichael who 15 years ago fled from the small town of Clyde, Ohio to seek fame and fortune. Now a legendary figure, she is set to return to her hometown as the town now rallies around awaiting her arrival. But that's only the backdrop of the story. The main focus is revolves around 15 year old Dinky Bossetti(Ryder), a gifted misfit and social outcast whom nobody likes as she is often ostracized by her peers and teachers alike at school. Even her well to do adoptive parents seem embarrassed by her "weirdness" and are constantly sending her away to school and plan on sending her to another special school. The only solace Dinky finds is her menagerie of animals she takes care of on an ark around an abandoned boat as well of her fascination with Roxy Carmichael whom she feels drawn to for some reason. She does find a few allies namely Gerald Howells(Thomas Wilson Brown), a boy in school who doesn't sneer at her and actually smitten with her. Miss Zaks(Laila Robins), the new guidance counselor who takes an interest in Dinky and sees potential in her. And Denton Webb(Daniels)a carpenter and a former flame of Roxy's who can't seem to get over is fixation on her that is causing strain in his marriage. Soon Dinky and Denton bond over Roxy and he reveals to her that they once had a baby girl together shortly before she left town. After this revelation Dinky is convinced that Roxy is her birth mother and she can't wait more than ever for her Roxy's return so she can go live with her "mother".

This decent flick has humor as well as sentimental moments, and it's with interesting characters including Manoff as a former rival maybe a lesbian lover of Roxy's. Ryder stands out as Dinky and is portrayed rather convincing as girl who is a social outcast with depth as she deals with all the things around her, her ostracism from her peers, her disconnect with her parents, her sexual discovery and the fears that goes with it regarding her interaction with the cute boy at school, her need to search for her own identity and escape from the dreariness of her surroundings. Ryder never comes off weak or pathetic despite her outcome but headstrong, tough and vulnerable.

I also liked the soundrack sung by Melissa Etheridge which are quite memorable. Anyway, this flick can be entertaining as be relatable, like wanting to escape your life and be someone else and learning to except what you have.

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.

15 years ago, Roxy Carmichael left town leaving behind her boyfriend and new baby. Now, she's coming home as a success story. Her former boyfriend Denton Webb (Jeff Daniels) is still not over her despite being married with kids. Dinky Bossetti (Winona Ryder) is adopted, bullied at school and a loner who keeps lots of animals at an abandoned boat. Dinky is convinced that she's the love child of Roxy and Denton. She's interested in class hunk Gerald Howells but he's reluctant to show affection for the class freak. Her only friend is the school counselor Elizabeth Zaks.

Winona Ryder is perfectly cast as this sensitive outsider teen. She is great at playing this type of character. The rest of the movie lacks humor. It tries to be a sharp black comedy but the writing isn't good enough. Director Jim Abrahams is more known for his spoof movies. He doesn't seem to have a solid hold on a sensitive serious coming-of-age movie. The tone is awkward. The attempted comedy slams into Denton's anger and his side of the story. The movie works with Ryder but struggles without her.

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.