Sunday, May 10, 2015

Family Movie Night: Roxanne

Title: Roxanne
Director: Fred Schepisi
Original Release: 1987
Choice: My Wife's
My Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5
via Amazon
I was 13 when Roxanne first hit theaters and already a hopeless romantic.  I didn't know a thing about Cyrano de Bergerac, the French play by Edmond Rostand upon which the movie is based.  I was won over by the wit, the sweetness and the idea of wooing a woman with beautiful words.  And, of course, there's that great scene with the 20 insults - worth the whole film.


Charlie (Steve Martin, also the screenwriter) is the fire chief in the small town of Nelson, Washington (actually British Columbia).  He falls in love with Roxanne (Daryl Hannah), an astronomer spending the summer in town.  Charlie, however, has a comically enormous nose that undermines his confidence.  Scared off of pursuing Roxanne himself, he aids the advances of young, dim, hunky Chris (Rick Rossovich) by writing letters and feeding him lines.  The proxy plan works only too well.

It had been years since I'd watched the movie.  I have seen Cyrano in the meantime so I have a better understanding from that perspective.  Fred Willard and Damon Wayans both have minor roles.  It's fun to see them in younger, less famous days.  However, the main thing I gained from this latest viewing was a greater appreciation for the location.  The BC scenery is absolutely stunning as is the architecture of the town.  Martin insisted on using the town's actual fire house interior and it's quite charming.

20 comments:

  1. Oh, gosh, how I love this movie! Thanks for reminding me of it. I need to check Amazon and Netflix to see if it is available.

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  2. I loved this movie and remember the beautiful location.
    And the clever writing, such fun.


    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Since seeing it the first time, I've also visited the Pacific Northwest - such a beautiful part of the world.

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  3. I love that scene with the 20 insults. Thanks for reminding me about this film. I'll have to track it down and watch it again!

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    1. MJ! I've missed you!

      I hope you will rewatch it. Such fun.

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  4. Steve Martin reminds me so much of all the old slap-stick comics. I don't remember seeing this particular movie, but will have to get it to view.

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    1. He is such an extraordinary man. Yes, he does feel like a throw back. And yet, has there ever really been another performer quite like him?

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  5. I remember when this came out and all the hoopla around it. I was 23 and because of the hoopla i refused to see it-silly eh? I have to give this film a chance which i will do this year:)

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  6. This is my favorite Steve Martin rom-com and second favorite Cyrano adaptation. I like how he explained why the guy couldn't just get a nose job and it's a very well written movie. The French version with Gérard Depardieu is my absolute favorite and stars Gérard Depardieu. Everyone I've seen it with cries at the end (including me) so it's worth looking for.

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    1. My wife and I have watched the Depardieu one. It's one of her favorites. I was surprised, in fact, that she didn't insist on our daughter seeing that one first. No doubt there's a master plan. She's a very wise woman.

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  7. It's been a good while since I've seen this, but it came up recently as a movie we need to rent for the kids to see.
    I should probably do that.

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  8. I never watched Roxanne. I don't watch many comedy movies or romantic comedies though sometimes one catches my eye.

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    1. Cyrano is a template all its own - quite different from the standard American rom com fare, I think.

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  9. This does sound like a fun movie--i haven't seen it

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  10. Was scrolling down the dashboard and was drawn in by the beginning of this post. I've never seen this movie, but I watched the clip you included and laughed at least three times (which is always fun.)

    A very nice review + thoughts.

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    1. Hi, Suze!

      Roxanne's a lot of fun. I recommend pairing it with Depardieu's Cyrano.

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