Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990)

A small town prepares for the homecoming of superstar Roxy Carmichael, as does a young outsider, who believes Roxy is her mother.

Director:

Jim Abrahams

Writer:

Karen Leigh Hopkins

Stars:

Winona Ryder, Jeff Daniels, Laila Robins

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Winona Ryder	...	Dinky Bossetti
Jeff Daniels	...	Denton Webb
Laila Robins	...	Elizabeth Zaks
Thomas Wilson Brown	...	Gerald Howells
Joan McMurtrey	...	Barbara Webb
Graham Beckel	...	Les Bossetti
Frances Fisher	...	Rochelle Bossetti
Robby Kiger	...	Beannie Billings
Dinah Manoff	...	Evelyn Whittacher
Sachi Parker	...	Libby Ohiemacher
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Mayor Bill Klepler (as Stephen Tobolowski)
Micole Mercurio	...	Louise Garweski
John Short	...	Ronald Reems
Robin Thomas	...	Scotty Sandholtzer
Valerie Landsburg	...	Miss Day Ashburn (as Valerie Landsberg)

Storyline

Although Roxy left town more than fifteen years ago, her memory has never faded. Her expected return starts to impact a number of lives, including that of her former partner Denton Webb. But it is Dinky, the adopted daughter of the Bossettis and ignored by most of her classmates as a strange loner, who may be most changed. She is convinced she is Roxie's secret child.

---

Plot Keywords:

outsider | homecoming | small town | swimming pool | sexy woman | 

---

Taglines:

She doesn't want much. Just a whole new life.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 October 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Roxy

Filming Locations:

Clyde High School - 1015 Race Street, Clyde, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,989,297

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Melissa Ethridge is the singer of Roxy's songs.

---

Goofs

When Evelyn shows up at Roxy's welcome home party, her ponytail is not the same color as the rest of her hair.

---

Quotes

Dinky Bossetti: From a deep, immaculate kiss she spread her two ripe, dripping limbs and then I happened.
Teacher: I beg your pardon.
Dinky Bossetti: And the moon throbbed and fought with an angry sun all that day and all that night. Until it forced me out.
Teacher: Dinky!
Dinky Bossetti: Now I scald here... alone. Touch me. With your white words and your dead hands. Now before I freeze.
Teacher: That'll be enough!
Dinky Bossetti: And become one of you.
Teacher: DINKY!
Dinky Bosseti: You interrupted me.

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Hot Spot/Mr. Destiny/Memphis Belle/Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990)

---

Soundtracks

Dancing Under A Latin Moon
By Michael Jay, Alan Roy Scott and Robbie Seidelman (as Robbie Seidman)
Performed by Candi
Courtesy of I.R.S. Records / MCA Records

User Reviews

A cute little film

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.