Film Review: Roxanne (1987)

Film Review: Roxanne (1987) | Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

Cyrano de Bergerac by French author Edmond Rostand is one of the most popular stage plays in history, but also the one that would hardly be seen as light entertainment. Main reasons for that are that it is written in verse, set in somewhat unfamiliar world of 17th Century France, and, finally, the ending is a downer. Steve Martin, famous American comedian and one of the fans of Rostand’s play, was quite aware of that while writing screenplay for his adaptation in the form of Roxanne, 1987 romantic comedy directed by Fred Schepisi.

Plot is set in Nelson, small ski resort town in Pacific Northwest where the protagonist Charlie “C.D.” Bales (played by Martin) works as fire chief. He is quite capable in his job, unlike the rest of mostly inept fire department, and possesses athletic abilities, as well as great eloquence and wit, which makes him popular among fellow citizens. However, he also has an abnormally large nose, which he is quite sensitive about it and which wrecked his romantic life. Another such episode appears to begin when he meets Roxanne Kowalski (played by Daryl Hannah), beautiful astronomy student who came to Nelson for the summer. He falls in love in with her, but doubts that the sentiment will be requited due to his looks. Roxanne is, predictably, more attracted to Chris McConnell (played by Rick Rossovich), good-looking professional firefighter who arrived to help Charlie’s men. He is also attracted to Roxanne, but when he has to speak to women he turns into complete imbecile. Aware of the problem, he asks his boos for help. Charlie does so by penning love letters to Roxanne which ultimately win her heart. The ruse, however, become less sustainable over time because Chris and person Roxanne fell in love with aren’t the same.

Despite Martin’s unquestionable talent and enthusiasm, this film is a hit and miss affair. There are some brilliant scenes, especially those inspired by the original play, like the sword fight which is here transformed into protagonist ingeniously using tennis racquet to dispatch two bullies. Martin is, of course, very good in his role. Film looks attractive, due to cinematography of Ian Baker which puts British Columbia locations to good use. However, Australian director Fred Schepisi struggles to find the proper pace and film is at times burdened by background subplot about Charly’s incompetent subordinates. While Daryl Hannah looks attractive, she lacks the chemistry with Rossovich making the love triangle, which worked so well in original play, look not that convincing here. The triangle is ultimately resolved through unsatisfying and unconvincing deus ex machina intervention, which looks too much like an attempt to give Rostand’s play typical Hollywood ending. Another issue, which might distance this film from younger generations of viewers is that it is dated. Hand-written letters, while quite common in 1980s, are quite rare today. But even bigger problem is the premise of having protagonist with obnoxiously large nose in modern world, where such and even worse problems are easily solved with simple plastic surgery. Martin’s script is aware of that and offers unconvincing explanation why Charley refuses to follow that course of action. There is, however, enough humour for Roxanne to be recommended as light-hearted and mostly solid comedy.

RATING: 5/10 (++)