Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990) User Reviews

Winona Ryder great but the movie is lacking

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 17 April 2015]

15 years ago, Roxy Carmichael left town leaving behind her boyfriend and new baby. Now, she's coming home as a success story. Her former boyfriend Denton Webb (Jeff Daniels) is still not over her despite being married with kids. Dinky Bossetti (Winona Ryder) is adopted, bullied at school and a loner who keeps lots of animals at an abandoned boat. Dinky is convinced that she's the love child of Roxy and Denton. She's interested in class hunk Gerald Howells but he's reluctant to show affection for the class freak. Her only friend is the school counselor Elizabeth Zaks.

Winona Ryder is perfectly cast as this sensitive outsider teen. She is great at playing this type of character. The rest of the movie lacks humor. It tries to be a sharp black comedy but the writing isn't good enough. Director Jim Abrahams is more known for his spoof movies. He doesn't seem to have a solid hold on a sensitive serious coming-of-age movie. The tone is awkward. The attempted comedy slams into Denton's anger and his side of the story. The movie works with Ryder but struggles without her.

Discrimination

[Sam-953-169285 · 7/10 · 25 August 2021]

This movie is much more about Dinky Bossetti (Winona Ryder) than Roxy Carmichael. It is about unjustified discrimination. It is generic discrimination; it is not a racial, sexual or any typical reason for discrimination. Dinky is different and for that reason alone she is discriminated against. In my opinion, the reason for that discrimination seems too vague. You will enjoy the story if you can identify with the discrimination. In my opinion however it does not explain well enough why she is different.

At the beginning of the movie, Roxy Carmichael is frustrated by her life and leaves her husband and child in the hopes of success. The movie builds up the Roxy Carmichael character so strong that we just have to see what she is really like when she returns.

Ryder and Robins great; everything else mediocre

[smatysia · 6/10 · 3 September 2001]

A rather condescending view of small-town hoopla. I suppose the film is an extended character study. Nothing wrong with that, but the film fails to engage. Interesting, the only passing reference to a lesbian affair, or fling, between two of the peripheral characters. I wonder if some of that subplot ended up on the cutting room floor. Inspired performances by Winona Ryder and Laila Robins couldn't save this movie. Grade: C

A cute little film

[Fables · 22 October 2013]

I recall seeing this film over a decade ago and eventually bought the video because I liked it so much. It's not particularly fantastic but it is good sweet endearing little film which I can kind of relate to as well as a lot of people who felt a little different and that they stood out during their puberty years. The only popular actors/actresses I can recall in this film is Winona Ryder, Jeff Daniels, Dinah Manoff and Frances Fisher(before the Titanic franchise).

The basic premise of this film is about a former town outcast and title of this film Roxy Carmichael who 15 years ago fled from the small town of Clyde, Ohio to seek fame and fortune. Now a legendary figure, she is set to return to her hometown as the town now rallies around awaiting her arrival. But that's only the backdrop of the story. The main focus is revolves around 15 year old Dinky Bossetti(Ryder), a gifted misfit and social outcast whom nobody likes as she is often ostracized by her peers and teachers alike at school. Even her well to do adoptive parents seem embarrassed by her "weirdness" and are constantly sending her away to school and plan on sending her to another special school. The only solace Dinky finds is her menagerie of animals she takes care of on an ark around an abandoned boat as well of her fascination with Roxy Carmichael whom she feels drawn to for some reason. She does find a few allies namely Gerald Howells(Thomas Wilson Brown), a boy in school who doesn't sneer at her and actually smitten with her. Miss Zaks(Laila Robins), the new guidance counselor who takes an interest in Dinky and sees potential in her. And Denton Webb(Daniels)a carpenter and a former flame of Roxy's who can't seem to get over is fixation on her that is causing strain in his marriage. Soon Dinky and Denton bond over Roxy and he reveals to her that they once had a baby girl together shortly before she left town. After this revelation Dinky is convinced that Roxy is her birth mother and she can't wait more than ever for her Roxy's return so she can go live with her "mother".

This decent flick has humor as well as sentimental moments, and it's with interesting characters including Manoff as a former rival maybe a lesbian lover of Roxy's. Ryder stands out as Dinky and is portrayed rather convincing as girl who is a social outcast with depth as she deals with all the things around her, her ostracism from her peers, her disconnect with her parents, her sexual discovery and the fears that goes with it regarding her interaction with the cute boy at school, her need to search for her own identity and escape from the dreariness of her surroundings. Ryder never comes off weak or pathetic despite her outcome but headstrong, tough and vulnerable.

I also liked the soundrack sung by Melissa Etheridge which are quite memorable. Anyway, this flick can be entertaining as be relatable, like wanting to escape your life and be someone else and learning to except what you have.

Better Than I Expected. Recommend for Winona Fans!

[izzyloisel · 7/10 · 17 December 2022]

I honestly wasn't expecting much from this movie since I hadn't heard much about it or seen it streaming anywhere besides YouTube. I was intrigued by it because of Winona Ryder. Even though she was pretty young in this movie, her acting really shined. There was a lot of emotional depth from the characters which I really enjoyed. The aesthetics were also pleasing to the eye. Always love some 80s costume and hair.

I rate it a 7/10 because the story was good enough to be entertained, and there was some anticipation for the ending scene. However, it seemed just a bit underwhelming. I feel like there could have bit a little bit more effort put into it especially the ending, but overall a good solid move. Highly recommend for Winona fans.

6 out of 10.

[triple8 · 6/10 · 7 September 2003]

Wow, I saw this such a long time ago but did really enjoy it as I enjoy most of Rider's work. This is another "movie with a message". It was extremely well done, well acted and interesting movie. There was just one problem.

SPOILER ALERT: The ending WAS pretty much a tease. I don't like when a movie teases you with something and then it never happens. Another IMDb reviewer wrote how bad this ending was and I agree-completely-it's to much a tease-you'll turn the movie off feeling cheated and since that's never a good way to be at the end of a flick I wouldn't rate this movie past a 6. I understand endings are not always as we, the audience would like them to be but there is a difference between endings that are necessary to the plot of the movie and endings that just seem contrived to cheat the viewer out of something they've waited for the whole film. Watch it if you haven't and you'll see what I mean.

A comedy for 'kooks', using its protagonist as a martyr...

[moonspinner55 · 4/10 · 13 June 2008]

Adorable Winona Ryder may have become the '90s equivalent of Molly Ringwald had it not been for a succession of poor movie choices that failed to expand on her range (or her appealing post-beatnik persona). As Dinky Bosetti, small town outcast who would like to believe that hometown celebrity Roxy Carmichael is really her long-lost biological mother, Ryder's allure here is reduced to that of a messy, misfit tomboy dressed in black. The script alternately pities and martyrs her, while the sitcom shenanigans happening on the sidelines are never very funny (particularly a lesbian-issue sub-plot which is half-baked and left unresolved). Adopted Dinky loves animals and is picked on at school, though that isn't much to build a character on, and Ryder ends up making faces and acting in a vacuum. The pacing is self-consciously erratic, the editing is sloppy and too much of the dialogue is knowingly facetious. There are a few funny moments and excellent soundtrack choices, although all the picture really needed was a sharper screenplay and a more focused direction. *1/2 from ****

Teenage Winona Ryder as a misfit coming-of-age in northwest Ohio

[Wuchakk · 6/10 · 9 March 2024]

A celebrity from a small town in the Sandusky Bay region is finally returning home for a visit and members of the town react in different ways. A nonconformist teen (Ryder) has suspicions about the 'star' while developing a relationship with the school's guidance counselor (Laila Robins) and pestering a man who has a history with Roxy (Jeff Daniels).

"Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael" (1990) is sometimes listed as a comedy, but it's not; it's a coming-of-age drama with satirical bits and occasional amusement. It's not about the title character but about how that person's 'success' and fame affect the locals who knew her or knew about her, not to mention those who appreciate her simply for putting their town on the map. This happened in real life with Dave Grohl, who returned to his birthplace, Warren, Ohio, in 2009, wherein he was given the key to the city at the celebration and an alley was named after him. The difference is that Grohl was only 3 years-old when his family left Warren whereas Roxy Carmichael was about 18.

What I like is that the flick captures the mundane existence of people in small town America, trying to find meaning and fulfillment, and not just teens, but adults too. For instance, did you ever have a solitary place where you went regularly as a kid that only you knew about and valued? That's in this movie. Some bits are comical and some aren't, but they're all relevant to real-life: Trying to fit-in at school, being bullied, finding a surrogate mother or father (a mentor), romance, sex in the workplace, getting caught, shameful social secrets, delusional wishful thinking, and more.

The first half is too low-key and uneventful, but the movie finds its footing and delivers a worthwhile viewing experience despite foregone conclusions. I'm speaking as someone who was never smitten with Winona, who happened to be 18 years-old during shooting (in other words, fans of hers might appreciate this more than me). Redhead Frances Fisher was at the height of her physical beauty at 37 while another redhead, Dinah Manoff, is worth a mention as Evelyn.

The movie runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot in the Sandusky Bay area of northwest Ohio, including the town of Clyde.

GRADE: B-

DON'T COME BACK NOW, YA HEAR?

[mmthos · 5/10 · 12 December 2020]

I'd seen this when it came out when i was young and more accepting of this type of mild "amusement" Desperate the other night, thinking of something to re-watch, I somehow settled on this, and my changed memory of it over the ensuing years turned out as I feared. Insufferable calculatedly "heart-warming" lower-middlebrow twaddle, as mediocre as it comes. No distinction whatsoever of any kind.

in the late '80s and early '90s, Winona Ryder was guaranteed to be the oddball girl

[lee_eisenberg · 6/10 · 21 July 2023]

With Winona Ryder known to today's viewers as working-class single mom Joyce on "Stranger Things", people may have forgotten that in the late '80s and early '90s, she often played outcast teens. The notable examples were "Beetlejuice" and "Heathers", but another was Jim Abrahams's "Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael". Ryder plays a high school student in small town Ohio convinced that she's the daughter of a celebrity from the town and hopes to meet her.

Unlike a lot of teen movies that I've seen, this one doesn't emphasize the era's popular culture. There are hints of it, but the main focus is on the townspeople. The relationships range from loving to hostile, but everyone's eager to meet the title celebrity.

I wouldn't call this any sort of masterpiece, but nothing bad. An acceptable way to spend ninety minutes. Moreover, how many movies have actually gotten set in Ohio, let alone filmed there? The rest of the cast includes Jeff Daniels, Frances Fisher (Rose's mom in "Titanic"), Dinah Manoff (Lee Grant's daughter), Sachi Parker (Shirley MacLaine's daughter), Stephen Tobolowsky, Carla Gugino and Beth Grant.

The director is best known for "Airplane!" and the "Naked Gun" movies. His former collaborator Jerry Zucker directed "Ghost".

Making a legend out of someone quite undeserving.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 28 June 2020]

As we get to see the backstory of the barely seen titled character, it is obvious that circumstances beyond her control and that of her long-time sweetheart (who grows up to be Jeff Daniels) causes her to abandon him, their newborn baby daughter and her hometown. Over 15 years go by before the town is told that she is coming for a visit, and one person in particular (town oddball Winona Ryder) is excited by the return. It appears that the legend has gotten around to certain people, and Ryder believes that she is that child. As the town prepares for the return of their prodigal daughter, reactions from people who knew her indicate that they either envy her for the gumption to get up and leave or pretend that they were best friends when in truth, they couldn't stand her or vice versa.

Ryder's adoptive parents (Graham Beckel and Frances Fisher) can't relate to her at all, with the relationship between adoptive mother Fisher and her adoptive daughter to be particularly strained. As the days get closer, Ryder's behavior has the town questioning her quirkiness, leading to a kindly guidance counselor (Laila Robbins) to step in and aide Ryder into coming to terms with her issues.

There's some nice camaraderie between Ryder and Daniels as the story comes out how Ryder believes him to be her natural father. One of the school jocks who teases her mercilessly reveals he has a crush on her which is a nice little subplot. This is not a great movie, but Ryder adds some charm to a character that is more than just a continuation of the character she played in "Beetlejuice". Pretty Ohio scenery is another highlight, as is Ryder's little hideaway with an assortment of pigs, goats and mangy dogs hidden away from the snobby world her adoptive parents live in. This is definitely the type of film that misguided teens might have more of a connection with. Otherwise, others will enjoy it for its quirkiness then quickly forget about it.

In Roxy's eyes

[reality_bites70 · 9/10 · 30 October 2004]

'Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael", is an endearing, and utterly underrated picture, with more heart and intelligence than it is given credit for. Winona Ryder's portrayal of a sexually confused, socially dysfunctional, and emotionally reserved character, is charming and convincing, bringing truth and credibility to the film. Set over a week dedicated to the return of obscure legend, "Roxy Carmichael", whose most famous contribution to society was having her name in a song, in the small town of Clyde, Dinky Bosseti (Winona Ryder), feels a connection for the first time in her life. The film focuses on the need for mother/ daughter relationships through adolescence, and the sexual development of a young woman through self-discovery and fascination. Relationships between her guidance councillor, her adopted father, and a young town's boy, contrast the romantic appeal of celebrity to highlight the importance of human interaction, allowing for Ryder's character to re-assess her life. If you pass this film in the "comedy" section of your video store, as it is so wrongly placed, pick it up. You will be surprised. If you have ever felt detached from society, or inadequate (particularly during your teenage years), this film is something you will certainly relate to.

A vehicle for Winona Ryder fans only!

[AmigaJay · 6/10 · 15 August 2022]

Another ex-rental on VHS i bought back in the early 90s after becoming a fan of Winona.

Tbh my first impressions of this weren't good, this was more to do with her dressing down for the role rather than the actual movie, something my teenage self couldn't quite adjust too.

Fast forward 30 years and my impressions are better, although still far from great.

The story seems quite hard to believe, the character is quite intelligent, yet is clutching at straws thinking this celebrity is her natural mother.

It certainly has more of a TV movie feel to it, the budget feels pretty low with the locations used, and the soundtrack has nothing memorable to it. It has a couple of nice moments, but the film feels disjointed and the predictable ending does nothing a plot twist could have improved.

Had it not been for Winona and Jeff Daniels its not something i would be re-watching that's for sure!

The trouble is the story.

[sjanders-86430 · 1/10 · 23 June 2021]

Wynona Ryder is great. Jeff Daniels is great. They can't help the ridiculous plot. A town is waiting for a visit from Daniels' love of his life. That works. Ryder is waiting for her birth mother. That works. The audience is waiting for both things. That works. What does not work is no reveal. No Roxy! The plot must include Roxy. I cannot believe $13,000,000 was spent on this screenplay. Why did they do this! When a screenplay is utterly worthless, people should stop and either fix it or toss it. Roxy could have returned. She could have brought her husband even six kids. The lead up demands her appearance. The title demands her appearance. Great actors must eat no.

Bad Teen Soap

[kenandraf · 22 September 2002]

Bad teen soap movie about high school missfit and her small town life.Below average production and the good acting by Winona could not save this one too much.Leads one along to a promised climactic end but does not deliver.Only for fans of missfit teen trouble dramas,big fans of teen movies and Winona fans as well......

Decent movie

[tlharrison-59546 · 5/10 · 25 July 2022]

Not Winona Ryder's best performance, or even top five... but it was a decent movie. There are definitely some uncomfortable moments that you wouldn't see in movies today, but overall I enjoyed it. It's a bit of an optimistic film, in that it takes sad situations and splashes some unrealistic sunshine on them.

Not super compelling but a good watch if you're in the mood for an 80s/90s drama that includes teen issues as well as adult and marital issues.

The Melissa Etheridge songs throughout were the weakest part for me. I like Melissa Etheridge but her music didn't feel like it fit the movie at all.

another hidden treasure

[Julien-11 · 9/10 · 4 September 1999]

Winona Ryder has a big collection of forgotten but first-rate movies, and this is no exception. The acting was really good, and the music on the soundtrack made it memorable. Well worth a look, and a second, and a third...

Beautiful, funny & touching - one in a million.

[Cedric_Catsuits · 10/10 · 6 May 2006]

Stunningly beautiful in places, surprisingly funny, often deeply touching. At just 19, Winona Ryder had already scored two massive hits with Beetlejuice and Heathers, but this performance eclipses them easily - and is possibly one of her best ever. She is hugely talented, and I can't get enough of her when she's on this kind of form - which sadly isn't often enough in recent years. Jeff Daniels' performance is spot-on, and together on screen these two stars shine brightly - not to take anything away from the superb supporting cast.

One of my all-time favourite movies, and one that still looks as fresh today as it did 16 years ago - testament to the people who made it. Quite under-stated, almost apologetic, but it will delight you. Someone else here described it as a 'hidden treasure' and I agree - it is hugely underrated and is a must-see for anyone who loves movies, Winona Ryder, Jeff Daniels, or has ever felt something was missing, confused or that they didn't belong. If I had to choose one movie to rescue from my burning house, this would certainly be the one.

This movie touched me !

[Dave-196 · 10/10 · 5 June 1999]

Decided to watch "Welcome home, Roxy Carmichael". I had never seen it before and was swept away completely by it. I was almost in tears during to whole movie. The last ten minutes I couldn't hold back the tears anymore, just had to let them go. This movie touched me very deeply !

A nice character study of an adolescent's lonely world

[Sheldonshells · 8/10 · 6 August 2006]

Roxy Carmicheal was quite a treat. It showcases a young Winona Ryder's very obvious talent for acting, especially outcast roles, continuing her alternative edged film performances beginning with Lucas and Beetle Juice, which would continue onward into the future. The film viewed as a character study is much more enjoyable than the film viewed as a story about the prodigal homecoming of the immortalized Roxy Carmicheal to which the title refers. The real beauty of the film is witnessing the trials, the pathos, the dilemmas, and the funny stunts of social misfit Dinky (Ryder's character). I fell in love with this character, seeing her as almost a female equivalent to myself (or as I once was anyway). If you are in any way a misfit or rebel, whether you are male or female, you will instantly relate and have empathy for the character of Dinky, who virtually carries the film on her back (due credit should be given to Jeff Daniels' performance though, as another testimonial to his fine dramatic acting abilities). Unfortunately it somehow does not really work as a unified whole, but I agree with those who say this is underrated. It succeeds in creating a memorable and poignant atmosphere that may linger in the viewers' hearts and minds for a time afterward.

Roxy is an inkblot

[bmcphail-2 · 10/10 · 19 June 2009]

This movie has been consistently misunderstood. Most like and enjoy Winona Ryder's performance and it does work moderately well as a Breakfast Club/teen angst sort of movie, but the movie actually has three poles between which the action moves:

Dinky's exploration of her own emerging personality and sexuality

The town-representing conventionality and conformity, on one hand, and various adults and peers who are more-or-less sympathetic and ready to help...if Dinky will let them

Roxy, the larger-than-life image that means something different to everybody.

The editing of the movie has come in for criticism over the years but the various cuts are there to show that everyone, including Dinky, has a *different reason* to be in an uproar over Roxy's impending arrival. Some commenters were angry that Roxy never arrived, but by that point in the movie she had served her purpose. Her nonarrival served as a moment of self- revelation for everyone who had been reacting to her in their individual ways, baring their motives at least to themselves.

It may seem a reach, but in plot structure this movie actually reminds me just a tiny bit of Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying" In that book, the grandmother dies, they load her coffin into the wagon and begin a trek to town to bury her. A saga of mishap and delays ensues. As the grandmother gets riper and riper, the wagon moving in a miasma of stench, everyone who meets them is unable to understand why each and every family member is adamant about burying her according to her last wishes. In various chapters Faulkner makes the readers aware that each of these family members would have been easily turned aside and sensibly buried her as soon as possible but for their different individual, private reasons to go to town.

Baz

An Original Classic (spoliers ahead.... beware)

[labyrinth640 · 10/10 · 10 July 2003]

The movie is focused on the whole town of Clyde, Ohio, yet it's basically centered around Dinky. Dinky is a misfit, both at home (she's adopted) and school. Although most kids would not enjoy this and would want to keep their heads down, Dinky has her head up and is not afraid to admit that she's different. The town is going bonkers over the arrival of Roxy Charmichael, a person who went from a somebody in Clyde, to a somebody all across the world. You also get to see the life of Roxy's former love interest before she left Ohio, a man named Denton. Denton and Dinky form an interesting bond, she's obsessed with Roxy, he know literally everything about her. She becomes convinced that Roxy is her mom, due to what Denton tells her one day. All in all this movie is an original classic that let's the viewrs look into the life of nearly the whole town. Watch for Carla Gugino's cameo appearence at the very begining of the movie as young Roxy. The movie is basically saying, everybody wants to be somebody else, whether it's a famous person, or the kid next door, everybody wants to be somebody. This is a fine movie, so if you have nothing else to watch on t.v. and this is on, give it a shot.

A now A list movie (web)

[leplatypus · 10/10 · 25 March 2020]

In 1990, nobody could guess the amazing future of both Winona and Abrahams. So then it's a little movie, done without pretention but that however achieves greatly. In the 80s, there were a lot of innocent, candid movies about teens who feel marginal in their small town, america. As i had been at the same time, a marginal teen in an old french town, i found this genre very appealing. Nowadays as movies disdain social reality, it's nearly extinct, the last one coming to mind would be Juno in 2007!

So here, Winona has still the essence of Beetlejuice with her and the movie flows softly. It has a great trick to keep the suspense with the countdown of the arrival of this local mega superstar! and it has also the super sexy Ava Fabian, well sort of ...

One of the best films of the 90's!

[beccahabig · 10/10 · 16 November 2017]

This movie is for all the misfits out there that can't seem to find your place in the world. All of your pain, frustration and angst is tied up in Winona Ryder's excellent performance as Dinky Bosetti.

Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael takes place in Clyde, Ohio, a small, rural town. In the movie, there are your typical 'cliques' and Dinky isn't part of any of them. She chooses to keep her independent, free-spirited self relegated to her 'ark', a broken down boat where she keeps a variety of misfit animals that she bonds with and treats like family. Her adoptive parents don't understand her, her classmates mock her and the only person who seems to 'get' her is the guidance counselor. Elizabeth Zaks. A fellow classmate, Gerald, secretly has feelings for Dinky which he expresses later on in the movie, which leads me to the actor who played him...

Thomas Wilson Brown is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated actors out there. This guy has emotional depth and screen presence that's never-ending. I saw it in this movie, I saw it in "Honey, I shrunk the Kids." and I saw it in "The Mooring". He is one of the best actors out there! (Coincidentally, he strongly resembles a Montana cowboy I met and bonded with on a bus trip out of Arizona back in the mid-90's, but that's another story ;). Anyhow, he is an incredibly handsome guy and a terrific actor. His work speaks to that. I'm not sure if he's done anything recently, but he needs to. He has the talent and the looks to be an A list actor.

Needless to say, this is probably my favorite movie of all time. This is a movie for anyone who has ever felt left out or different.

The only real letdown is that we never really see Roxy Carmichael as she chooses to not show up to her own ceremony at the end of the movie. That's okay though; with all of the other story lines, you really didn't need that. All in all, wonderful movie!

Great typical nineties small town movie!

[ottelien-muller · 8/10 · 8 April 2015]

Don't be deceived by the rather low IMDb-rating: In it's genre (typical nineties small-town-story), this is absolutely a great movie. While the main storyline is entertaining enough (a rebellious teenage girl in search of her own identity), it is actually the portrayal of some other characters that make the movie so worthwhile. The rhythm of the movie is well-paced, the dialogs are rich and the plot line may seem predictable, but a very open-minded-written script ensures some surprises. If you like the genre then 'Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael', with its dash of romance, comedy, small-town-drama and general quirkiness, won't disappoint.