Roxanne (1987)

88% of critics liked it
(33 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(45,428 ratings)

This modernization of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac casts Steve Martin as C. D. Bates, the fearless, quick-witted fire chief of a Washington State resort town. Bates' most trusted fireman is the handsome but tongue-tied Chris McDonell (Rick Rossovich). Both men are in love with the beautiful… More This modernization of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac casts Steve Martin as C. D. Bates, the fearless, quick-witted fire chief of a Washington State resort town. Bates' most trusted fireman is the handsome but tongue-tied Chris McDonell (Rick Rossovich). Both men are in love with the beautiful Roxanne Kowalski (Darryl Hannah), but Bates, adorned with a huge nose that makes Bob Hope look like Nanette Fabray, is convinced that he's too homely to win Roxanne's heart. Thus, in the self-sacrificing tradition of Cyrano de Bergerac, Bates courts Roxanne vicariously by feeding his rival Chris the proper romantic words and phrases. The inherent pathos in Roxanne is offset by moments of slapstick, notably the scene wherein C. D. Bates vanquishes a pair of hooligans with a tennis racket. Steve Martin himself is credited with the screenplay for Roxanne, though he generously cites Edmond Rostand as his inspiration. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Fred Schepisi
Written By: Steve Martin
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Jun 19, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Jul 4, 2000
Studio: Columbia Pictures Corporation

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
It's a neat trick, being Steve Martin. He's so good; his movies will get even better.
Variety Staff, Variety
In the end it's hopelessly sappy stuff.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The nose itself is a perfect prop for a man who began his career with a fake arrow through his head, a man who has since evolved from a coolly absurdist stand-up comic to a fully formed, amazingly nimble comic actor.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Martin claims to have written 25 script drafts for this film, which indicates the uphill trudge he faced...what he has produced is Steve Martin playing a nice 'n' wacky guy in a sappy story.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
All of the corners of this movie have been filled with small, funny moments.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
The most unabashed, and most satisfying, romantic movie to come along in years. It's a swooning, delicate, heart-on-its-sleeve work.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an entertaining yet undeniably forgettable romcom that benefits substantially from the stars' charismatic work.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
for all the things this movie is, it's probably Martin's fault.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Mostly you have to credit the two stars, who make for a nice fit and know how to hold the audience's attention every time the camera is trained on them, with a look here, or a perfectly delivered line there.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
The Blu-ray disc provides a very nice looking 1080p high definition picture in the movie's original widescreen format (2.40:1 aspect ratio).
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
It's difficult to call a movie this light and insubstantial a classic, but it's as likeable as ever more than two decades after its initial release.
Jason McKiernan, Filmcritic.com
another in a long line of Cyrano De Bergerac adaptations but easily one of the very best
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
I'd call it reasonably successful, but I can't get excited about it.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
In an era when romance seems to have taken second place to sex, it's heartwarming to see a film like Roxanne bring back the loveliness of love.
, Film4
The film's success rests firmly with Martin. He wrote the warm-hearted script and delivers a sparkling performance of physical and verbal gymnastics that he hasn't been able to match since.
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Very good adaptation of Cyrano with Steve Martin in one his best roles.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Far and away [Martin's] richest film to date, lyrical, sweet-natured, touching, and very, very funny.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Sparkling romantic fun; Martin is superb and Hannah is delightful

Read all 18 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Martin B

Somehow I'd never gotten around to seeing this movie until now, but I guess I wasn't missing much. Rossovich is too over-the-top stupid to fit the tone of the rest of the film, the dialogue and directing are sloppy, the acting is pretty mediocre all around, and Daryl… More
Somehow I'd never gotten around to seeing this movie until now, but I guess I wasn't missing much. Rossovich is too over-the-top stupid to fit the tone of the rest of the film, the dialogue and directing are sloppy, the acting is pretty mediocre all around, and Daryl Hannah?? How she is cast as this gorgeous object of affection baffles me. Slim pickings in that town, I guess. The acrobatics, the sniffing out fires with his nose.... it's all just trying too hard.
Spencer S

The perfect foray into romance and intellectual thinking.
Jennifer D

I saw this movie AGES ago as a kid. Completely forgot about it until I saw it browsing around on Netflix. It's kinda funny, kinda cute. Kinda.
Nani V

His nose used to scare me as a kid when I watched this.
Tim S

Martin when he gave a shit.
Jason S

Excellent flick. Steve Martin steals the flick and makes me forget there is a story going on in between him be excellent. It's a good one to watch with the girl friend
Lady D

My favourite Steve Martin film, there is a good message in this
xGary X

Made while Steve Martin was still clinging to a modicom of credibility, this sweet-natured update of Cyrano De Bergerac is lightly amusing (although the schmaltz is definitely starting to seep in...) and reasonably charming. The highlight is definitely the bar scene when Martin is… More
Made while Steve Martin was still clinging to a modicom of credibility, this sweet-natured update of Cyrano De Bergerac is lightly amusing (although the schmaltz is definitely starting to seep in...) and reasonably charming. The highlight is definitely the bar scene when Martin is almost back to his old self, coming up with 20 "better" insults about his extensive proboscis!
Drew S

Ugh. I hate this movie and I don't know why. Steve Martin bugs me so much sometimes.
danny d

based on cyrano debergerac. steve martin was great in this 80's classic
Dean M

Steve Martin wrote this brilliant romantic comedy in a modern version of <i>Cyrano de Bergerac</i>.
Lanning :

Possibly my all-time favorite Steve Martin movie. Smart and funny, the nose monologue in particular is brilliant.
Brandon K

Pretty solid, but a little too on-the-nose. See what I did there? Also, major points off for the 5-minute scene of Steve insulting himself. Painful...
Doctor S

Steve Martin at his wittiest, instead of relying on his trademark physical antics, reinforcing his all-around comedic prowess. One of the best modernizations of classic literature. Darryl Hannah is gorgeous and Rick Rossovich is great as the empty-headed hunk. A charming winner.
John M

"Roxanne" It's a very sweet and romantic movie with some good little laughs here and there. Check it!
RJ M

A movie of endless charm, and constant warm feelings. Steve Martin has never been more confident, and Darly Hannah has never looked more beautiful. A modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac, Martin's small town fire chief with the nose that keeps on going is one of his finest characters.… More
A movie of endless charm, and constant warm feelings. Steve Martin has never been more confident, and Darly Hannah has never looked more beautiful. A modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac, Martin's small town fire chief with the nose that keeps on going is one of his finest characters. The movie exudes small town charm, and is beautifully photographed. All of the characters are full, well rounded, and immensely likeable. The movie also speaks to anyone who has loved somone from afar, certain of the fact that they will never stand a chance. The fact that the nice guy finishes first is enough to give hope for the rest of us that we may all find that someone who may be right in front of our face, and we just can't see them.
Donna D

Adorable movie, with the hilarious Steve Martin in this romantic comedy. ;) Funny and amusing.
Marion R

The film didn't flow correctly even for a fluff romantic comedy. But it did have one or two good scenes with Martin. Overall it wasn't worth watching the whole thing for just two decent scenes.

Read all 18 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Steve Martin as Charlie C.D. Bales

            Daryl Hannah as Roxanne Kowalski

            Rick Rossovich as Chris McDonell

            Shelley Duvall as Dixie

            Michael J. Pollard as Andy

            John Kapelos as Chuck

            Damon Wayans as Jerry

            Fred Willard as Mayor Deebs

            Max Alexander as Dean

            Caroline Barclay as Girl in Street

            Shandra Beri as Sandy Barmaid

            Merrilyn Gann as Mrs. Quinn

            Brian George as Dr. David Schepisi Cosmetic Surgeon

            Matt Lattanzi as Trent

            Steve Mittleman as Ralston

            Maureen Murphy as Cosmetics Clerk

            Kevin Nealon as Drunk

            Blanche Rubin as Sophie

            Ritch Shydner as Drunk

            Heidi Sorenson as Trudy

            Jane Campbell as Dottie

            Claire Caplan as Lydia

            Thom Curley as Jim

            Make Glavas as Peter Quinn

            Jeffrey Joseph as Stationery Clerk

            Bernadette Sabath as Berni

            Jean Sincere as Nina
See full cast

Roxanne (1987)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cast

Trailers & Clips