User reviews

Roxanne is probably going to go down as the pinnacle of Steve Martin's career as both an actor and a writer. Granted, he's made better movies (L.A. Story, The Man With Two Brains), but this is the one movie that seems to have grabbed the public's attention and keeps bringing them back. And that's because it's deceptively simple, the story of the underdog falling for the girl who has it all. It's peripherally based on Cyrano de Bergerac, but most people haven't read it (or even seen a movie adaptation), so much of the intricacies will be lost. But everyone can identify with the main character, C.D. Bales, and the story of his doomed love.

The movie is a romantic comedy, but that's too simplistic. It's full of incredible situational and verbal humor. Whether he's playing a slapstick routine trying to leave Roxanne's apartment or trying to think up the (more than) twenty insults that would be better than `Big Nose,' Martin's pen rarely falters. He can do drama, as evidenced by the scene on the roof with the overweight kid. And he writes compelling poetry: when C.D. speaks from his heart under Roxanne's window it threatens to turn hokey at any moment, but never does. The power of the movie is in the screenplay, and Martin's written a doozy.

Of course, it also doesn't hurt that C.D. is such a sympathetic character. Actually, sympathetic is probably the wrong word. He's such a strong and dynamic character that every man would want to be him and every woman would want to have him…if it weren't for that stupid nose of his. Think about it: he's athletic, charming, well-read, witty, and handsome. And that's what makes it even worse for the viewer: knowing all these wonderful things are stuck inside this man and people can't see past his nose, pun not intended. Martin totally inhabits C.D. Bales: he knows him so well that it's second nature. He looks like he's having a blast with it, too, which helps the audience quite a bit.

It's not all Steve Martin, though (although it seems like it at times). The supporting cast does well with their roles and goes far beyond what I would have thought possible. Example: Daryl Hannah, an actress with a hit-and-miss record that's mostly miss, is surprisingly convincing as an astronomy student who knows about sub-nuclear particles and comet trajectories. Or Michael J. Pollard, who takes a role that's pretty much a series of one-liners and makes me remember him above all the other firefighters by the pure glee that he takes with every line.

It's certainly not perfect, nor is it Martin's best offering, but that's beside the point. The point is that it's the kind of movie people really enjoy but can't put their finger on just why. Well, the movie is smart, and that's why people find it refreshing. It's not simply a cookie-cutter romance with the typical leading man and the regular lines: it's got a heart and humanity that most romantic comedies disregard as unnecessary. 8/10

I have to admit that this was a nice and sweet version of Martin's interpretation of Cyrano de Bergerac. It was nice to see a little comedy into the story. I know of the story, but have seen none of the movies. So, this is pretty much as close as I will get to the story even though my mom has the old version of Cyrano de Bergerac, it doesn't look that entertaining.

Steve plays Charlie, a kind and funny fireman with one little... well... actually huge thing on his face, a very long and big nose. But he ends up meeting Roxanne, a very beautiful woman who is a rocket scientist and just wants be romanced, she meets another man, Chris, very handsome, but doesn't exactly have a way with words. Charlie has a huge crush on Roxanne, but she's attracted to Chris, Chris also has a thing for Roxanne, so through the hardest times, Chralie helps Chris try to woe Roxanne with his words going through Chris's mouth.

It's a very sweet and romantic movie with some good little laughs here and there. I think this is an under rated Steve Martin movie that I think everyone could give a chance too. Because, let's face it, we all have that little imperfection that can always be seen as unique and beautiful in the eyes of other's.

7/10

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.

Mozart would have loved Roxanne. This perfect film rests on some of his greatest hits...as choreographed and performed by Steve Martin. There is nothing "Roxanne" lacks, from aliens dropping out of trees to "make love to older women", to a water ballet courtesy the local fire department.

The characters are beautiful: the brilliant misfit; the gorgeous "astrologer or astronomer, or something"; the bronzeable but- alas, dumb- hunk...all gather on the mountainside for our pleasure. Toss in a big rubber nose, a couple of the greatest lines from literature, stir with that Mozart stuff, and poof...a great valentine evening.

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.

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"

The idea Steve Martin updating the story of Cyrano de Bergerac may seem a little like stretching a round hole to accept a square peg, but the result was actually one of the brighter romantic comedies of recent summers, thanks in large part to the ideal balance of talents between Martin's typically absurd sense of humor and some level-headed direction by veteran Fred Schepisi. Martin himself stars as C.D., a plucky and resourceful small town fire chief whose charm is surpassed only by the length of his nose. He loves the fair Roxanne (a young astronomer) from afar, while she only has eyes for the tall, dark and hopeless hunk from Martin's inept fire department. C.D. is soon persuaded to write his rival's love letters, into which he pours all his own frustrated romantic longings, and the subsequent complications give Martin a chance to display the keen timing and playful sense of humor too often lacking in his other films. Even more surprising is producer Martin's generosity as a writer: some of his best lines are given to the supporting players. It isn't art, but the film has enough sunny humor and bittersweet irony to make it more than just another routine romantic distraction.

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.

A modern retelling of the 1897 verse play Cyrano de Bergerac, 'Roxanne' is a heart-warming & light-hearted Romantic-Comedy, that brings a smile to your face. The Legendary Steve Martin, in the lead role, delivers a Superb Performance!

'Roxanne' Synopsis: Based on the play "Cyrano de Bergerac", large nosed C.D. Bales falls for the beautiful Roxanne while she falls for his personality but another man's looks.

'Roxanne' is a heart-warming film. It has some genuinely wonderful moments. The Screenplay Written by Martin himself, is very lively & light-hearted. Fred Schepisi's Direction is good. Cinematography by Ian Baker captures the stunning locales wonderfully. Editing is decent. Art Design is fair.

Performance-Wise: Martin plays the large nosed Hero, with superb ease. It's truly a pleasure to watch the legend perform with such flourish. Daryl Hannah as Roxanne, is likable. Shelley Duvall is fantastic, as always. Rick Rossovich is adequate. Others lend support.

On the whole, 'Roxanne' is a winner.

If you've seen the José Ferrer "Cyrano de Bergerac", it's permanently etched in your memory. (The Depardieu version is good-but-not-great.) It's one of the great romances, true or fictional, and Ferrer's Oscar-winning performance will leave you in tears. What can you do to improve it?

NOTHING. Leave it alone. A timeless work doesn't need updating, let alone a translation to another venue, which only diminishes it.

"Roxanne" has a basically happy ending, which spoils the whole thing. We all cry over the things we want, but can't have. (In 2008, I lost the thing I most loved in life, but could never have.) We need catharsis. "Cyrano" supplies it. "Roxanne" is devoid of any real emotion.

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.

This was a "sweet" romantic-comedy in which Steve Martin was near the top of his game, so to speak, and Darryl Hannah never looked better. Just staring at her in some scenes was awesome. Martin's character, "C.D. Bales," thought so, too.

This movie, based on the famous play, "Cyrano de Bergerac," was pretty charming throughout with Martin providing light humor and and sporting a humongous nose. Unfortunately, that nose helps prevent the object of his affection, "Roxanne" (Hannah) from receiving that back, the latter prefer the handsome-but-dumb "Chris McConnell" (Rich Rossovich).

The only thing that was not sweet or charming was the abuse of the Lord's name in vain, used about 10 times in here. For a movie of this nature, that is uncalled for and ruined the enjoyment of this film for me. There was no need for that. Without it, I would elevate this to a "9."

Martin'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 starring Steve Martin and Daryll Hannah is a cute movie and should be more popular than it is. Shot in a picturesque small town (Nelson BC) which adds to the charm the film is about a Pinocchio nosed new town sheriff(or firefighter I am forgetting) Steve Martin who falls for the new beauty in town played by Hannah. It reeks of charm and reminds us how nice these types of low budget films were- sadly they aren't being made anymore. Go watch it if you can- It isn't a mindblower but a cute, charming film starring the legendary comedian at the height of his power.

Roxanne (1987) Director: Fred Schepisi Watched: April 2018 Rating: 6/10

Cliche, saccharine, Nose a needless plot device. Wished to strangle Chris, Funnier adapted play, But Martin is all it has.

Comets, great houses, Firefighters on fire, Written love letters, Laughs and banter so witty, Martin is more than enough.

Somonka is a form of poetry that is essentially two tanka poems (the 5-7-5-7-7 syllable format), the second stanza a response to the first. Traditionally, each is a love letter and it requires two authors, but sometimes a poet takes on two personas. My somonka will be a love/hate letter to this film? #Somonka #PoemReview

Steve Martin (The man with two brains) stars as fire chief Charlie Bales, a man with a big nose. This unusual feature makes him believe he will be able to be with a girl he has just met, the beautiful Roxanne.

Martin gives a good performance as the insecure but happy fire chief. His best moment is the famous bar scene where he is challenged to think of 20 insults regarding his big nose, which is the most interesting point of the film.

The over sized nose is the big talking point of the town and the use of it was quite interesting as it brought out a touching subject regarding appearance and what other people though of it. As the film is a comedy it is the focus on pretty much all of the jokes and uses it well, with Martin's comedy experience proving vital to make the nose jokes work. His reactions are excellent, the bar scene and the opening sequence with the two men. The fact Martin did all of his own stunts was a fact I couldn't believe because there are some very difficult manoeuvres that he has to do but all are executed brilliantly.

The plot is consistent, with many good jokes and a sweet storyline regarding the fire chief and the woman he has fallen for. Sadly it follows up the conventional romantic story line. Don't get me wrong I love romantic films but a bit of variety every now and again wouldn't hurt.

Rossovich and Hannah are good enough in their roles but are completely outshone by Martin. They had pretty conventional roles and always seemed to give the film predictability rather than spontaneity. Though that is also down to some cheesy and poor dialogue.

Martin's performance however is enough to carry the film from start to finish and had the film been longer or varied from the usual romantic conventions, then this would be the perfect romantic comedy.

I just recently saw this for the first time and was impressed at Steve Martin's humor. The film is s reimagining of Cyrano De Bergerac tale. The handsome Martin stars as a likable man with a very big nose who falls for Roxanne played by a charming Daryl Hannah. But because of his insecurities he helps out a hunky cop to win her affection. The movie is sweet and Martin and Hannah have good chemistry. It never aims to be more than what it is. But uts an entertaining romantic comedy with some genuinely likable characters and performances.

Modernized "Cyrano de Bergerac" from writer and star Steve Martin concerns long-nosed fireman in a picturesque town playing matchmaker for a shy co-worker and the new girl on the block (a beautiful but curiously single astronomer...she's such a romantic she literally studies the stars!). Pleasant and inoffensive in every way, but who wants nothing but valentines from a movie? It's a pretty pastry, all fluff. The sequence wherein C. D. asserts himself over a rowdy in a crowded bar is a big showpiece for Martin, but he's too calculated and at the ready; quips fall from his lips faster than a plausible speed of thought. One might argue that C. D. had these retorts stored away for years, but Martin's composure is too neat and tidy (like a showman). Daryl Hannah is lovely but oddly muted, while Shelley Duvall gives her little supporting bit a welcomed goose. Otherwise, "Roxanne" is sugar-coated; it's a cross between wisecracks and Frosted Flakes. Martin won the WGA Award for Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium but was overlooked by the Academy. ** from ****

One of my favourite Steve Martin comedies, before he followed the example of Woody Allen and stopped with the comedy and hankered after more serious parts in dull films by Ron Howard and David Mamet. This is definitely how I like him best, in genuinely funny situations that make you laugh. He wrote his own screenplay too, cleverly if loosely taking the old classic story of the big-nosed romantic Cyrano De Bergerac and transplanting it to a modern American small town romantic comedy.

As Charlie, the local fire-chief, Martin's character, besides being a loquacious wordsmith, is also, it would appear, a Cirque-class acrobat and martial arts expert which he amply demonstrates as the movie progresses. The arrival in town of intellectual hottie Darryl Hannah finds the two striking up a blossoming if offbeat friendship before the entrance of lunk-hunk Chris, nicely played by Rick Rossovich, to his fire-crew finds Charlie pressed into action as Chris's prompter in trying to win over Hannah's heart in his stead.

Needless to say, the paths of true love don't run smoothly but do eventually find their rightful destinations for all the main parties but not before many highly comedic scenes get in the way. The extended scenes where Martin takes out two insulting tennis players at the start, his top 20 nose-jokes and especially the by-proxy seduction of Hannah at her Juliet window are all hilarious, but there's plenty of devilry in the detail too especially the short scenes with the "Golden Girls" of the town.

Just maybe, Martin could have downplayed the slapstick comedy element of his Keystone Fire Brigade, which can't touch the Golden Silents of Keaton and Lloyd for amusement, but their coming together to finally demonstrate competence in actually putting out a fire, to the strains of "The Blue Danube", at least concluded another minor plot story arc too. Oh, and I hated the sleep-inducing saxophone-dominated soundtrack too, but hey, this was the 80's, I guess.

Martin is terrific in the "Cyrano" part and Darryl Hannah is surprisingly good in being asked to do more than just shake her curls. Mild distraction as they were as a group, it was still nice to see Michael J Pollard as one of the fire crew too.

Like I said, I'm a big fan of Martin's early comedies and this is one of his best. If I'm lying, may my nose grow in length!

This isn't a knock on the American people, but for those who may know the actual Cyrano de Bergerac story (the one this is solely based on), with all the effort in the world to give into it this film can only come across as forced, and a hollow reinterpretation of the myth as a mainstream American disposable comedy.

Steve Martin does well at times with the dialog (like the famous 'big nose' tirade, in the bar here), but it's just too obvious what he's trying to do, and the entire narrative is too obvious; and although Steve Martin is certainly very pure at heart as a man, and this is another one of his outlets of how much romanticism and sensitivity he has in him, it just falls way short really in the end. Just not convincing, too obvious.

It's not awful though but 4/10 as it barely gives the original any original added value.

This was the late night movie last night, starting at 12 midnight, and I stayed up to watch it until it finished at 2am. And may I say it: What a great film!

It stars Steve Martin, and I know I'll enjoy any movie that he is in. He plays Charlie, a kind hearted, humourous, well know and loved identity to his home town of Nelson, who has a distinguishing characteristic, an overlarge nose (And I can tell you, the make-up department did a great job on this!!). He falls in love with Roxanne (ala Daryl Hannah), and just as he begins to think that she loves him too, she expresses interest in a newly recruited fireman to the town, Chris, who works for Charlie. But the problem is, that this man cannot express his feelings for Roxanne, and gets large nosed Charlie to write letters to Roxanne for him. Roxanne falls in love with Charlie's personality, but Chris' looks. This is a recipe for disaster, and some great funny sequences to follow!!

Poor Charlie managed to seduce Roxanne to bed with him, forgetting for a slight moment that he was actually talking for Chris, who takes over at this point. Truely hilarious, and you feel sorry in the end for poor old kind hearted Charlie. The scene following this when Charlie talks to a group of old ladies returning from a tennis match is probably the funniest 3 minutes of television in which I have ever seen. Watch for it, its a classic!

You all will love the mishaps of the absent minded fire department in which Charlie works for, with one humourous muck up after another, Charlie says 'We dont want people who have a fire in their house to say "Whatever you do, don't call the fire department!"' Very, very funny. All light hearted and fun. You will love it!

'Roxanne' is a great mix of romance and humour - it will brighten you up when you are feeling down no matter how many times you have seen it. A true masterpiece.

When the final credits roll at the end of the film, I guarentee, like myself and many others, that your comments will be "What a nice little film". It's that guarentee that makes this movie so special. Well done Steve Martin!