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Roxanne was a 1987 comic reworking of the classic play CYRANO DE BERGERAC, starring Steve Martin as CD Bales, the fire chief in a small mountain town in Colorado called Nelson, who feels a lack of self-esteem because of his big nose; however, is easily the most intelligent citizen in the town and practically runs it though no one seems to know. CD falls in love with Roxanne Kowalski (Daryl Hannah), a beautiful astrology student who comes to Nelson for the summer, but Roxanne falls for Chris McConnell (Rick Rossovich) a handsome and hunky fireman who can't put two sentences together, but when CD coaches Chris on how to woo Roxanne, she falls hard, not realizing that it's CD's words, not Chris' that are making her swoon.
This intelligent comedy is not only hysterically funny but is genuinely warm with some wonderfully romantic and tender moments. CD's speech to Roxanne as he hides in the bushes pretending to be Chris is so beautifully written and performed that it almost brings a tear to the eye. On the other hand, Martin is rolling-on-the-floor funny in a bar scene where a bully makes fun of his nose and he has to come up with 20 different insults centered on a big nose. I've always been under the impression that this scene was Martin's brainchild and probably wasn't in the original script but it is the scene that everyone who sees this film remembers.
It's Martin's little moments with Darryl Hannah's Roxanne, when he's bursting inside to tell her how he feels but just can't, that make this film so engaging. Steve Martin's performance in this film is just remarkable and many, myself included, felt he should have received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He did not, of course, because we all know the Academy looks down on comedy performances. At the 1988 Oscar ceremony, host Chevy Chase came onstage wearing a huge fake nose as a jab at the Academy for not nominating Martin.
Fred Schepisi's inspired direction, lovely scenery and solid support from Rossovich, Shelley Duval, Michael J. Pollard, and Fred Willard are icing on the cake. Don't blink or you'll miss a brief appearance by a very young Damon Wayons as a fireman who works for CD. One of the great film comedies of the 80's...if you've never seen it, treat yourself.
Roxanne was a 1987 comic reworking of the classic play CYRANO DE BERGERAC, starring Steve Martin as CD Bales, the fire chief in a small mountain town in Colorado called Nelson, who feels a lack of self-esteem because of his big nose; however, is easily the most intelligent citizen in the town and practically runs it though no one seems to know. CD falls in love with Roxanne Kowalski (Daryl Hannah), a beautiful astrology student who comes to Nelson for the summer, but Roxanne falls for Chris McConnell (Rick Rossovich) a handsome and hunky fireman who can't put two sentences together, but when CD coaches Chris on how to woo Roxanne, she falls hard, not realizing that it's CD's words, not Chris' that are making her swoon.
This intelligent comedy is not only hysterically funny but is genuinely warm with some wonderfully romantic and tender moments. CD's speech to Roxanne as he hides in the bushes pretending to be Chris is so beautifully written and performed that it almost brings a tear to the eye. On the other hand, Martin is rolling-on-the-floor funny in a bar scene where a bully makes fun of his nose and he has to come up with 20 different insults centered on a big nose. I've always been under the impression that this scene was Martin's brainchild and probably wasn't in the original script but it is the scene that everyone who sees this film remembers.
It's Martin's little moments with Darryl Hannah's Roxanne, when he's bursting inside to tell her how he feels but just can't, that make this film so engaging. Steve Martin's performance in this film is just remarkable and many, myself included, felt he should have received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He did not, of course, because we all know the Academy looks down on comedy performances. At the 1988 Oscar ceremony, host Chevy Chase came onstage wearing a huge fake nose as a jab at the Academy for not nominating Martin.
Fred Schepisi's inspired direction, lovely scenery and solid support from Rossovich, Shelley Duval, Michael J. Pollard, and Fred Willard are icing on the cake. Don't blink or you'll miss a brief appearance by a very young Damon Wayons as a fireman who works for CD. One of the great film comedies of the 80's...if you've never seen it, treat yourself.