Rating: 
Summary: I'd rather live here, than in the best town in the world!
Review: "Roxanne" is one of the old-fashioned, yet wonderfully watchable comedies that comes around only once in great while. Despite some harsh language at times, this is the perfect movie for those over 14.
Steve Martin plays the C.D. Bales, the local fire chief who probably would've found happyness a long time ago if it weren't for his huge nose (or rather, his self consciousness about his huge nose). Along comes Roxanne, played nicely by Daryl Hannah, who has come to town with her telescope to spot a comet she's thinks she's discovered. Of course, C.D. falls head over heels for her, but her attentions are drawn to the new fireman Chris, played by Rick Rossovich (Hmm, I wonder whatever happened to him? He's probably in the same boat as "Sixteen Candles" star Michael Schoeffling).
"Roxanne" elevates itself above routine fare with an excellent supporting cast, including Shelly Duvall in the odd role of C.D.'s best friend (according to the film, their characters aren't related, so have they dated in the past?), Michael J. Pollard as the nerdy, but very funny fireman Andy, who should never be challenged in a boxing match. And most especially Fred Willard as the over-the-top mayor. He has the best single line in the film when, after a major event takes place (I won't give that away), he toasts the crowd by saying, "I'd rather be with the people here tonight, than with the finest people on the planet!". A drop dead funny line.
Also look for a young Damon Wayans as one of the firemen.
Highlights of the movie include the famous "20 worse things you can say about C.D.'s nose" (if you keep count, it's actually 25?!), Chris's constant attempts to overcome his shyness about meeting Roxanne, the confrontation of C.D. and two drunk skiers (one of them played by SNL's Kevin Nealon), and any scene with Michael J. Pollard.
This is a warm, wonderful film full of laughs and great character bits. I heartily recommend it to and and all who want a break from today's gross-out comedies.
Notes: I wonder just how drunk the skiers were at the beginning of the film. They're carrying ski gear, but it's clearly summertime (the leaves are green and not one snowflake to be found).
Also, Daryl Hannah is the best looking astronomer I've ever seen.
Rating:
Summary: Roxanne... oh-yeah !
Review: A small dull, but nice little town. A fire-chief with a HUGE nose. A sweet, good looking blonde. Two great actors and sunshine... That's all it takes to make this great movie. I have seen it more than ten times and it never seems to bore me. On the contrary, it is funny, charming and a movie that makes you think about life... What more is there to say: Get it !
Rating: 
Summary: Steve Martin Does Cyrano de Bergerac
Review: Admirers of Steve Martin will probably agree with the 4 star rating, if you are not a fan of his, I would say the film sinks to a three. For those who do not know the background of this character, he is a soldier from France in 1640, a "Gascon", who were known for their bravery, arrogance, and aggressiveness. Cyrano is also endowed with a nose that he describes in the play as follows, "one could launch ships from that peninsula", to be redundant, this man has a nose that is a plastic surgeon's dream. As CD Bales, a fire chief in a small town, managing a firehouse of misfits, he retains the noble characteristics of the original, and loses the aggressiveness and arrogance. The one exception is when he is taunted for his nose, and then he strikes, although generally with his wit, and when it is physically, it is not a rapier, but a tennis racquet.This film is all Martin, with some reasonable supporting players, but the only reason to watch this film is to see Martin use some of his many talents. The theme of misplaced love, and classic settings lifted directly from Shakespeare, the balcony scene, will make any fan wince on occasion, but taken as a whole, which is a bit too long, the film is still entertaining. If the idea of Martin teaching firemen how to handle a hose against flames while moving to a waltz is intriguing, and the physical humor of Martin also entertains you, take 107 minutes and enjoy, "Roxanne". Siskel and Ebert call the film a, "comic masterpiece", which would make them well above average, when rated as Steve Martin fans.
Rating:
Summary: Cyrano de Bergerac was never so amusing
Review: An updated (and English!) version of Cyrano de Bergerac, this movie is wonderful. Steve Martin really shines as a self-effacing Fire Chief, and Darryl Hannah is always fun to watch. The humour (most of which surrounds Steve Martin's large nose) is funny but never interferes with the true love story at the heart of this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Cyrano de Bergerac was never so amusing
Review: An updated (and English!) version of Cyrano de Bergerac, this movie is wonderful. Steve Martin really shines as a self-effacing Fire Chief, and Darryl Hannah is always fun to watch. The humour (most of which surrounds Steve Martin's large nose) is funny but never interferes with the true love story at the heart of this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A nose by any other name...
Review: C D Bales feels he has a problem. Don't let him hear you mention anything about the size of his nose. Like Cyrano DeBergerac, he is a multitalented man who keeps himself down because of his schnozz. When beautiful stargazer Roxanne Kowalski moves to town, he gets involved in the strangest love triangle ever. Steve Martin is brilliant in the nose role, and his screenplay work serves the Cyrano story to modern audiences. And the result is a light comic romance that makes for a great date-film. Lovely Daryl Hannah plays Roxanne. She allows the heroine to have insecurities of her own which makes it easy for viewers to relate. Amongst the small town are a great supporting cast including scene-stealing Fred Willard, Shelley Duvall and a hysterical group of volunteer firemen. The one disappoint in the film comes with Rick Rossovich's performance of Chris. While he physically fits the role, his comic delivery is weak and the characterization is flat. But, that is easy to overlook in this great film. The DVD has a nice widescreen transfer that savors the environments of a British Columbia small town (filling in for Washington state). And if you don't have a widescreen television and you hate those black bars, there is a standard copy on the same disc. The audio transfer is more than sufficient, especially since it is such a small, intimate story. Your subwoofer will not be taxed. Will everyone love this film? Who nose? But, its worth a look.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, except for Daryl Hannah
Review: Didn't anybody else find Hannah's performance here to be...lacking? She just doesn't make it. The last scene, in which her character declares her love for Martin's character, is almost unbearable for me to watch, she's so lame and unbelievable. Despite her physical beauty, I can't accept that Martin's character would fall for her. He's so full of life and she doesn't show near enough character to match him. I don't think she's a good actress.
Sorry, Daryl.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasing to the senses, mind and emotions
Review: Each layer of this film is fabulous: from the rich jazz and classical score to the breath-taking beauty of the mountain setting. Steve Martin's screen play for this film is filled with rich dialog, creating melody with language. Even the supporting actors have lines filled with subtlety and wit, including a cow that startes a fire near the conclusion of the film, as legend has it the Chicago fire started in the late 1800's. The beauty of the language is rivaled only by Martin's exceptional use of his trade-mark physical comedy, and fine performances by the supporting cast. Indeed, this film was deserving of it's 1988 Golden Globe Nomination.
Rating:
Summary: "a charming, funny romantic comedy....."
Review: Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny very Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny very very Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny very Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny very Funny Funny Funny Funny Funny
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant
Review: I don't usually review movies, but I do feel strongly about this particular one. I have probably watched it better than 15 times, and it just may be my all-time favorite, for a number of reasons. First of all, I am a huge "Cyrano de Bergerac" fan--I've read the play a number of times, and seen both the more recent French version, and the 1950 English language adaptation. I had despaired of ever finding an English-language version that captured the beauty and wonderful humor of the original play, but Steve Martin does a fabulous adaptation here, in Roxanne. He works the best elements of the play seamlessly into modern times, always staying true to the heart of the matter, while making the story accessible for today's audience. It doesn't hurt that his performance is spot-on: the perfect mixture of dreaminess and self-loathing, sweetness and acerbic wit. Darryl Hannah also does a great job bringing Roxanne (previously a relatively flat character) to real life, making her a human being instead of an untouchable goddess. Every time I watch this movie, I get something different out of it, and to my mind, that's the hallmark of a great film.
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