Roxanne (1987)

The large-nosed C.D. Bales is in love with the beautiful Roxanne; she falls for his personality but another man's looks.

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

Edmond Rostand (play), Steve Martin (screenplay)

Stars:

Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah, Rick Rossovich

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Martin	...	C. D. Bales
Daryl Hannah	...	Roxanne
Rick Rossovich	...	Chris
Shelley Duvall	...	Dixie
John Kapelos	...	Chuck
Fred Willard	...	Mayor Deebs
Max Alexander	...	Dean
Michael J. Pollard	...	Andy
Steve Mittleman	...	Ralston
Damon Wayans	...	Jerry
Matt Lattanzi	...	Trent
Shandra Beri	...	Sandy
Blanche Rubin	...	Sophie
Jane Campbell	...	Dottie
Jean Sincere	...	Nina

Storyline

In Nelson, the chief of the firemen C. D. Bales is a man with complex since he has a huge nose. When his friend Dixie rents her house to the gorgeous student of astronomy Roxanne, he falls in love with her but keeps his feelings as a secret. C.D. hires the handsome fireman Chris and Roxanne asks C.D. to help her to date him. However Chris is an average American with very limited culture and he asks C.D. to help him to get in her pants. C.D. writes letters disclosing his feelings for her and Roxanne is seduced by the man that writes such letters. What will happen when she meets Chris?

---

Plot Keywords:

love triangle | unrequited love | blonde | concealed nudity | pretty legs | 

---

Taglines:

Roxanne dreamed of a handsome, intelligent, romantic man. C.D. Bales is two out of three... but looks aren't everything!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 June 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Roksana

Filming Locations:

Anmore, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,582,398, 21 June 1987

Gross USA:

$40,050,884

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,050,884

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Industries, IndieProd Company Productions, L.A. Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Debut theatrical feature film of actor Kevin Nealon.

---

Goofs

When Charlie asks how many insults about his own nose he's delivered in the bar someone yells, "14, Chief!" when in actuality it was 18 or 19. (One was deleted in the TV version, resulting in the different totals.)

---

Quotes

[first lines]
C.D. Bales: Dixie! Hi, how you doing, girl? Yeah, I'm on my way. I'll be there in about five minutes. I'm bringing it! I've only had it a year and a half, I told you I'd return it. OK. So long. Talk to you later. All right. All right. Bye.

---

Crazy Credits

Comet Kowalski/Charlie flies through the night sky as the credits roll.

---

Connections

Version of Cyrano de Bergerac (1985)

---

Soundtracks

I'm Walkin'
(uncredited)
Written by David Bartholomew and Fats Domino

User Reviews

Extremely effective updating of a timeless story

I do not routinely enjoy Steve Martin, but was extremely impressed with the sensitivity and deftness with which he played Cyrano de Bergerac in modern guise. There is nothing archaic or stilted about the script, yet it is surprisingly faithful to the character of the original play (which in turn is closely based on Cyrano's true history). Numerous scenes - including most of the best ones - are lifted almost intact from the Edmond Rostand play, but a viewer who is unfamiliar with that source probably will have no idea which scenes they are. The poetry, imaginative spark and romantic instincts of the original play are handled lovingly and with finesse. Daryl Hannah is just right as a thoroughly modern Roxanne, willingly surprised to find that there is still romance in the world. You do not have to be familiar with the source to enjoy this witty, satisfying, and very funny movie - but if you are, you will enjoy it all the more.

Note added 2015: When I first wrote the above in 1999, Steve Martin had not yet done most of his (in my view) best work; but I still go back to this as my very favorite of his performances.