Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael (1990)

44% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(5,043 ratings)

In this film, the small town of Clyde, Ohio is buzzing with excitement when it is said that the famous Roxy Carmichael is leaving her luxurious Hollywood life to return to her old hometown. Her return causes upheaval in the lives of family-man Denton Webb (Jeff Daniels), her old boyfriend, and an… More In this film, the small town of Clyde, Ohio is buzzing with excitement when it is said that the famous Roxy Carmichael is leaving her luxurious Hollywood life to return to her old hometown. Her return causes upheaval in the lives of family-man Denton Webb (Jeff Daniels), her old boyfriend, and an angst-ridden teen, Dinky Bossetti (Winona Ryder), who is convinced that Roxy Carmichael is her natural mother. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Jim Abrahams
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 12, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Jun 5, 2007
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Focuses on the adolescent struggle to define oneself and also speaks about honesty, risk, loneliness, and self-respect.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Lukewarm film that's almost worth watching.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A forgettable, disposable, lame comedy.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Quirky, moderately successful little film

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

Nicki M

My original rating on this was 2 1/2 stars. I watched it years ago when it first came out, and can remember thinking it was a dumb movie with a stupid storyline. I was recently leant a copy of this (much to my "delight"), thought I had better at least attempt to watch it… More
My original rating on this was 2 1/2 stars. I watched it years ago when it first came out, and can remember thinking it was a dumb movie with a stupid storyline. I was recently leant a copy of this (much to my "delight"), thought I had better at least attempt to watch it again before throwing it back like a hot potato! Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed this. I can still see where my original gripes were - Winona, as Dinky, is really uglied up here, and there's some really dumb bits and things that don't make sense - but it is actually quite a sweet little story and years on I had quite a laugh at all the mullets and floral dresses on display. This movie was released in 1990, but it screams 80's and most of the outfits are in such bad taste it made my jaw drop. I don't remember thinking anything of it back when I first watched it, so I would say this really hasn't aged well from that side. The guy, Gerald, who has a crush on Dinky (what a name! I hope it is a nickname and not her birth name. This is never clarified in the film), is the biggest dork ever seen, though you get the impression he is meant to be a hot guy. (until the ending). The story of an outsider who has pinned her hopes on meeting her real mother, and how this mysterious woman (Roxy) has shaped the lives of many of the characters here. Not a perfect movie by any means, but has a nice message under it all and definitely worth a revisit for 80's fans.
Cassandra M

Winona Ryder has a big collection of forgotten but first-rate movies, and this is no exception. The acting was really good, and the music on the soundtrack made it memorable. Well worth a look, and a second, and a third...
Leo L

An interesting film!

Cast

            Winona Ryder as Dinky Bossetti

            Jeff Daniels as Denton Webb

            Laila Robins as Elizabeth Zaks

            Thomas Wilson Brown as Gerald Howells

            Joan McMurtrey as Barbara Webb

            Graham Beckel as Leo Bossetti

            Frances Fisher as Roshelle Bossetti

            Robby Kiger as Beannie Billings

            Dinah Manoff as Evelyn Whittacher

            Sachi Parker as Libby Ohiemacher

            Stephen Tobolowsky as Bill Klepler

            Nancy Abrahams as Fishing Family

            Rhonda Aldrich as Charmaine

            Mark Arnott as Bill Crampton

            Amy Moore Davis as 2nd Girl on Bus

            Nada Despotovich as Laurie Desmond

            Ava Fabian as Roxy Carmichael

            Beth Grant as Lillian Logerfield

            Carla Gugino as Young Roxy

            Ray Hanis as 1st Man at Center

            Hal Havins as Raymond Emirts

            Rocky Krakoff as First Kid Throwing Buckeyes

            Valerie Landsburg as Miss Day Ashburn

            Micole Mercurio as Louise Garweski

            John Moskoff as Officer Tardo

            Joe Nesnow as Second Man at Legion Hall

            Angela Paton as Gloria Sikes

            John Short as Ronald Reems

            Kevin Skousen as Gene Briskell

            Carl Steven as Second Kid Throwing Buckeyes

            Heidi Swedberg as Andrea Stein

            Robin Thomas as Scotty Sandholtzer

            Janet Graham as Sneeze Victim

            Ron Perkins as Will Groom

            Jim Pirri as Jim Reese

            Peter Strong as Second Fisherman

            Hank Underwood as Eddie Waters

            Louise Yaffe as Woman on Bench

            Terrence Evans as First Man at Legion Hall
See full cast