Review: Roxanne

Modernised version of “Cyrano de Bergerac” has Steve Martin cast as a small town fire chief who has the hots for a recently arrived astronomer of the film’s title (played by Daryl Hannah). Martin was gifted/cursed with an abnormally large nose that he’s extremely self-conscious about, and Hannah seems to have a thing for Martin’s well-meaning but dopey new employee, a shy jock played by Rick Rossovich. Afraid that Roxanne will never see past his big schnozz and that he’ll be passed over for the hunk, Martin seems resigned to a fate in the friend zone. Rossovich, for his part comes to Martin seeking romantic advice, as Roxanne is so much smarter than he (which isn’t difficult, because the guy is basically an idiot). What to do? Well, Martin reluctantly and uncomfortably ends up feeding Rossovich the flowery words to woo his intended. Shelley Duvall plays Martin’s confidante and best friend, whilst his fellow firemen include Damon Wayans, John Kapelos, and Michael J. Pollard. Brian George (Babu from “Seinfeld”, Raj’s father from “The Big Bang Theory”) plays a doctor, Kevin Nealon a jerk skier, and Fred Willard is the local mayor.

A popular film with critics, this 1987 Fred Schepisi (the Aussie director of “The Devil’s Playground” and “Evil Angels/Cry in the Dark”) update of “Cyrano de Bergerac” from star/writer Steve Martin isn’t my favourite Martin film. In fact, I think it plays a bit like a dry run for the later and much better “L.A. Story” in some ways. It’s definitely a very Steve Martin film, despite being a remake of Cyrano. It also works much better in the comedy department than the romance, through no fault of Martin himself who is terrific. It’s the other two parts of the romantic triangle her who aren’t up to snuff. Outside of “Kill Bill vol. 1”, I’ve never liked Daryl Hannah as an actress, and cast as the intended love of both Martin and Rick Rossovich, she’s bland, boring, and fairly uncharismatic. Rossovich is no Mr. Charisma himself to be honest, he’s just OK at best playing the dopey hunk. I suppose if he were too interesting it would divide our loyalties, but still he’s not especially memorable.

I also think the film wastes a pretty terrific character actor supporting cast: Shelley Duvall probably gets the best of it, but the inimitable Michael J. Pollard, Fred Willard (who hadn’t hit his stride yet despite being 48 at the time), John Kapelos (well-cast as the kind of guy who owns a shop called ‘All Things Dead’, and a perfectly cast Kevin Nealon don’t get much of a chance to show what we all know they’re capable of. Still, if you want to see what Damon Wayans looks like with hair, you might want to look out for that.

Steve Martin is essentially the whole show here, and the mix of romance and comedy at least on paper is very much what you’d associate with the man. Whilst I think two thirds of the romantic casting are a dud, thankfully Martin brings the goods and the film manages to work really well as a comedy. There’s an hilarious bit where he drinks wine through his nose. One of the funnier touches in the film is that the local firemen here help people who are locked out of their homes or get cats out of trees. One of the only real fires in the film is ironically at the fire station itself. Also, as much as he’s Diet Jeff Daniels, it’s still funny hearing all the flowery verbiage coming out of meathead Rick Rossovich’s mouth. The real show-stopper however, is the scene where Martin deals with a barroom bully by coming up with 20 better insults about his nose than the pissweak one the bully came up with. It’s brilliant and one of Martin’s finest moments ever on film (which is saying something, because this is the guy who made “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, “Parenthood”, “L.A. Story”, and “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”. All classics in my view). I’m not sure how much Cyrano is here beyond the basics, but Martin creates and plays a very likeable character here who is extremely easy to warm to and root for. It’s subtle, but there’s a little bit of genuine pain and hurt going on inside of this guy that Martin conveys extremely well.

A crucial film in the career of Steve Martin, but not actually a great one. It’s really, really nice, and sometimes very clever and funny. Scripted by the man himself, it allows him the opportunity to show off his romantic side, his quick wit, and his gift for physical comedy…well, OK that last one is mostly a stunt double. Still, if you love Steve Martin like I do, it’s worth watching, if a bit overrated by some. Better co-lead casting would’ve really made this one next level stuff. 

Rating: B-