Roxanne [WS] [Blu-ray]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

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

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: All
• Number of Discs: 1
• Audio: Dolby TrueHD
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Screen: Color

AWARDS

• Los Angeles Film Critics Association

•     Won Best Actor - 1986 (Steve Martin)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Steve Martin - Charlie C.D. Bales
       Daryl Hannah - Roxanne Kowalski
       Rick Rossovich - Chris McDonell
       Shelley Duvall - Dixie
       Michael J. Pollard - Andy
       John Kapelos - Chuck
       Damon Wayans - Jerry
       Fred Willard - Mayor Deebs
       Max Alexander - Dean
       Bernadette Sabath - Berni

• Director:

  Fred Schepisi

• Producer:

  Daniel Melnick, Michael Rachmil

• Screenwriter:

  Steve Martin

• Play Author:

  Edmond Rostand

• Cinematographer:

  Ian Baker

• Songwriter:

  Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Rick Boston, Terry Cox, Joe Curiale, Jeff Kent, Dan Navarro, Paul Pesco

• Composer (Music Score):

  Bruce Smeaton

• Editor:

  John Scott

• Production Designer:

  Jackson de Govia

• Art Director:

  David Fischer

• Executive Producer:

  Steve Martin

• Set Designer:

  Kimberley Richardson

• Costume Designer:

  Richard Bruno, Tish Monaghan

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Rob Young

• Makeup:

  Michael Westmore

• Special Effects:

  Bill Orr

• First Assistant Director:

  Michael Steele

• Consultant/advisor:

  Bruce Meldrum

• Stunts:

  Joe Dunne, John Wardlow

• Production Manager:

  Warren Carr

• Casting:

  Pennie Du Pont

REVIEW:

• A perfect vehicle for Steve Martin, this modern adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac works mostly because Martin plays his part with a rare combination of sweetness and zaniness. The big nose looks ridiculous on Martin, but he is nonetheless convincing as the small-town fire chief who helps his shy underling (Rick Rossovich) woo Roxanne (deliciously played by Daryl Hannah). Martin, an increasingly accomplished comedy writer, penned his own adaptation of the Edmond Rostand chestnut, and it's a thoroughly likeable film. Under the direction of Australian Fred Schepisi, Roxanne exceeded expectations in all respects, and it launched Martin onto a more mature, well-rounded career that blended his unique comedy gifts with dramatic talent and an ability to play romantic leads. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi