Roxanne (1987)
- Soames Inscker
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
Roxanne (1987) is a romantic comedy that wears its intelligence—and its heart—on its sleeve. Written by and starring Steve Martin, and directed by Fred Schepisi, the film is a modern reimagining of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac, transporting the story of the eloquent, big-nosed hero into a quirky American mountain town in the 1980s.
With a winning mix of humour, tenderness, and lyrical wordplay, Roxanne distinguishes itself from the average rom-com of its era. It trades cynicism for sincerity and slapstick for soul, all while delivering a romantic fable that feels timeless despite its contemporary setting.
Plot Summary
Martin plays C.D. "Charlie" Bales, a witty and kind-hearted fire chief in the small, picturesque town of Nelson, Washington. Charlie is intelligent, athletic, cultured—and burdened by an unusually large nose. Though confident in nearly every other area of life, his insecurity over his appearance prevents him from pursuing the woman he adores.
Enter Roxanne Kowalski (played by Daryl Hannah), a beautiful and brainy astronomer who has just moved into town for a summer research project. Charlie falls for her instantly but believes she could never return his affection. Meanwhile, Chris (Rick Rossovich), a handsome but inarticulate new fireman, also becomes infatuated with Roxanne. When Chris realizes he can’t woo her with words, Charlie agrees—reluctantly—to help him by writing love letters and coaching him through romantic encounters.
What follows is a delicate and humorous exploration of love, identity, self-worth, and the classic question: do we fall for someone’s looks, or their soul?
Performance and Character Analysis
Steve Martin as Charlie Bales
This is one of Steve Martin’s most accomplished performances—an ideal balance of comedy, pathos, and elegance. As Charlie, he is vulnerable but not pitiful, sharp-tongued but never cruel. His comic timing is on full display, particularly in the now-famous "20 Jokes About My Nose" scene, which turns what could have been a gag into an artful display of wit and emotional defiance.
Martin wrote the screenplay himself, crafting a character who is deeply romantic but achingly human. Unlike the bombastic Cyrano of the original play, Charlie is modernized, grounded, and filled with self-doubt despite his many virtues. Martin’s interpretation walks a fine line between whimsical and heart-breaking.
Daryl Hannah as Roxanne
Daryl Hannah brings grace and intelligence to Roxanne, a character who in lesser hands could have been reduced to a mere object of affection. Instead, she is independent, articulate, and searching for a man who matches her intellect and spirit. Her chemistry with Martin is subtle but affecting, and her performance adds depth to what might otherwise be a simple romantic triangle.
Rick Rossovich as Chris
As the brawny, tongue-tied suitor, Rossovich plays the role with just the right mix of charm and cluelessness. He’s not malicious or cruel—just in over his head. Chris becomes a foil to Charlie not because he’s a villain, but because he’s everything Charlie thinks Roxanne wants.
Direction and Screenplay
Fred Schepisi directs with a light, unobtrusive touch, allowing the characters and dialogue to shine. The pacing is steady, the tone consistent, and the atmosphere almost fairy-tale-like. The town itself feels slightly surreal—small-town Americana filtered through a romantic’s lens. It’s a world where neighbours know each other’s quirks and where an observatory is just down the street from the firehouse.
Steve Martin’s screenplay is the film’s greatest strength. It’s literate without being pretentious, funny without being farcical, and deeply romantic without descending into sentimentality. His script captures the essence of Cyrano de Bergerac while making it entirely his own. The wordplay is brilliant, and the emotional beats are handled with surprising maturity.
Comedy and Emotion
Roxanne blends several modes of comedy: there’s physical humour (Charlie’s fencing and ladder stunts), verbal wit (his retorts are Shakespearean in their rhythm), and character-based situational comedy (the training of Chris as a romantic puppet). But underneath all this is a very real emotional current: a story about learning to love oneself before expecting others to.
The film doesn’t mock Charlie’s nose—it explores the very human feelings of alienation and insecurity that come from feeling different. And it celebrates language, intelligence, and soulfulness as virtues that matter in a world too often obsessed with appearances.
The emotional climax comes when Charlie’s secret is revealed, and Roxanne realizes who has truly been speaking to her heart. The resolution is tender and satisfying, proving that Roxanne earns its fairy-tale ending without cliché.
Themes
Inner Beauty vs. Superficial Attraction: The central theme challenges the idea of love based on physical appearance. Charlie’s nose is symbolic, but his emotional journey is universal.
Language as Power: In an age of fast talk and superficial chatter, Roxanne reminds us of the beauty and importance of thoughtful expression and vulnerability.
Self-Acceptance: Charlie’s greatest obstacle isn’t his nose—it’s his own lack of confidence. The film gently encourages self-love and authenticity.
Cultural Context and Legacy
Released in June 1987, Roxanne was a critical and commercial success, praised for its cleverness, romanticism, and originality. It earned Steve Martin a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, and it helped solidify his transition from wild-and-crazy guy to sophisticated leading man.
The film has since gained a reputation as one of the more intelligent and heartfelt rom-coms of its era. It remains one of the best modern adaptations of classic literature and one of the most tender films in Martin’s career.
It also stands out as a film that respects both men and women—it allows its male lead to be vulnerable, and its female lead to be smart and autonomous, something still rare in romantic comedies even today.
Memorable Scenes
“20 Better Insults” Scene: Charlie demolishes a bar heckler by inventing twenty far superior insults about his nose, showcasing his wit and turning humiliation into triumph.
The Balcony Scene: A humorous twist on Cyrano’s most famous moment, where Charlie feeds lines to Chris during a romantic exchange with Roxanne.
Final Confession: When Charlie confesses the truth, and Roxanne sees past the deception to recognize the man she truly loves.
Conclusion
Roxanne is a romantic comedy for the thoughtful viewer—a film that trades broad gestures for quiet moments, and slapstick for soul. It’s witty without being cynical, moving without being melodramatic, and timeless in its message about love and self-acceptance.
Steve Martin delivers one of the best performances and scripts of his career, and Daryl Hannah matches him with intelligence and warmth. Funny, literate, and deeply human, Roxanne is not just a great romantic comedy—it’s a great film, period.
