If I could choose one thing about "Roxanne" to sing my praise of, it's the brilliant make-up job for Steve Martin. His Pinnochio-like nose is an unrealistic concept, but it is so perfectly rendered, you start to believe that this is really Martin's own schnoz. That's really the best thing about this 1987 update of "Cyrano de Bergerac". It's by no means a terrible movie, but its premise outshines the actual finished product. Oh, it does pay a decent tribute to the classic story, from the famous scene in which our hero, C.D. Bales (Martin) finds 20 ways to insult his own nose, the balcony scene where he woos his beloved Roxanne (played here by Daryl Hannah) through the more handsome but less verbally inclined Chris (Rick Rossovich), and even a duel of sorts (with a tennis racket and a golf club in place of swords).
Yet "Roxanne" falls short, mainly due to the fact that it's a touch overlong and too lighthearted for its own good. Also, I found Hannah to be a rather insipid and uninspired choice as Roxanne, especially since Roxanne is supposed to be a brilliant astronomer. Sure, any man could have a crush on her, but to have someone as sweet, witty, and passionate as C.D. fall madly in love with her? Call me a hardened cynic, but I just didn't buy it. Martin is at his best as C.D., and he's almost able to make you ignore his enormous honker. He's genuinely funny, and the scenes that reveal his insecurities about his looks are quietly moving. I must also make special mention of Rossovich as Chris, C.D.'s unknowing rival for Roxanne's affections. He plays Chris as a decent guy who isn't stupid, just painfully shy and terrible with words. Despite his good looks, he's no more confident than C.D. is. I guess the movie's other moral is that beautiful people have problems too. Steve Martin fans will probably adore this one, but for everyone else, it probably won't make much of an impression.
Yet "Roxanne" falls short, mainly due to the fact that it's a touch overlong and too lighthearted for its own good. Also, I found Hannah to be a rather insipid and uninspired choice as Roxanne, especially since Roxanne is supposed to be a brilliant astronomer. Sure, any man could have a crush on her, but to have someone as sweet, witty, and passionate as C.D. fall madly in love with her? Call me a hardened cynic, but I just didn't buy it. Martin is at his best as C.D., and he's almost able to make you ignore his enormous honker. He's genuinely funny, and the scenes that reveal his insecurities about his looks are quietly moving. I must also make special mention of Rossovich as Chris, C.D.'s unknowing rival for Roxanne's affections. He plays Chris as a decent guy who isn't stupid, just painfully shy and terrible with words. Despite his good looks, he's no more confident than C.D. is. I guess the movie's other moral is that beautiful people have problems too. Steve Martin fans will probably adore this one, but for everyone else, it probably won't make much of an impression.