ROXANNE
A film review by Steve Miller
This review is in the public domain
Summary: Steve Martin plays Cyrano to Daryl Hannah's Roxanne in a modernized version of Rostand's play. This is mostly a vehicle for Martin, who plays a fire chief, rather than a swordsman. His physical acting ability is combined with some truly witty dialog, making for a very funny performance.
Seeing this movie was a bit frightening to me, I have to admit. I'm not very fond of Daryl Hannah, and only grudgingly so of Steve Martin. More important was my affection for Edmond Rostand's "Cyrano," which has always been a favorite of mine. So-called "modernized" versions of classic stories often need to be watched from between the fingers, in something of the manner of a horror show. But ROXANNE owes more to Rostand than I expected, with many lines being taken directly from Brian Hooker's translation.
Martin plays C. D. Bales, the chief of a volunteer fire department in a modest British Columbia village. Despite his preposterously large nose ("Here we have a man who can please two women at the same time"), his wit and charm have made him the town's favorite son. Bales's sense of humor is admired by all, and his extemporaneous gibes can be awesome. However, just as with his beplumed forebear, C. D. never jokes, nor allows others to joke, about his nose. In an early scene, when two athletic malcontents decide to taunt him, C. D.'s wit is released simultaneously with his skill at unarmed combat, to leave both jocks face down in the dust. Personally, I found this bit deeply gratifying.
Hannah's role as Roxanne is perhaps the least faithful to the orignal. She plays an astronomer, spending the summer in B. C., for no real reason. C. D. takes an instant liking to her, but is too insecure about his looks to let her know. Along comes a strapping hulk of a fireman, Chris, to join Bales's fumbling department. He too is drawn to Roxanne, but is so awfully insecure around women that he can't bring himself to speak to her. His insecurities, to the point of losing his lunch in anxiety, are the film's weakest point. Seeking help from his chief, Chris talks C. D. into writing letters over Chris's name. Various other means are used to coach him when he actually meets Roxanne face-to-face, and, as they say, "hilarity results."
In addition to the jokes based upon Chris's ineptitude and C. D.'s nose, the screenwriters have added a subplot not in the original. This background story is really a set of running jokes about the training of the volunteer fireman, none of whom who should even be allowed a book of matches. These are mostly sight gags, and very funny ones. It adds a great deal to the film, and meshes nicely with the main story.
It should be mentioned that the nose makeup, which is subjected to several extreme close-ups, is superb. A simple thing like a seam or poor skin tone might have ruined some very funny scenes, and I'm glad the producers made sure that this received the attention it was due.
This was a terrifically funny movie, due almost entirely to Steve Martin's talents. His physical skills get their chance as well, though not to the extent they did in ALL OF ME. If I only grudgingly admired him before, I'm a genuine Martin fan now. Hannah's performance is about as dead-pan as all her performances, but she has a small role, really, and one can ignore her.
Certainly the funniest movie I've seen in years, and good family stuff, I think. +3 on the -4 to +4 scale.
-Steve Miller
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