ROXANNE

US, 1987, 107 minutes, Colour.
Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah, Rick Rossovich, Shelley Duval, Fred Willard, Damon Wayans, Matt Lattanzi, Michael J. Pollard.
Directed by Fred Schepisi.

Roxanne is an updated version of Edmund Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac. The screenplay was written by Steve Martin who also served as Executive Producer as well as, of course, star. He capitalises on his own ability for mime, comic timing, deadpan humour. He makes quite a sympathetic C.D.Bales, the local Fire Chief with the extraordinarily long nose.

The title focuses on the woman of his dreams and love, Roxanne. Here she is played with great charism by Daryl Hannah who had made an impact in Blade Runner, Splash, Legal Eagles. There is a good supporting cast and the film has the atmosphere of a small American town.

The film was directed by Australia's Fred Schepisi (Devil's Playground, Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, as well as Barbarossa, Iceman and Plenty in the United States and England). While he does not exhibit a great flair for comedy, he nevertheless presents Martin and Hannah effectively.

There is some sentiment, some humour, some gentle wisdom.

1. A Steve Martin movie? Comic, romantic? Wise?

2. Familiarity with the story of Cyrano de Bergerac? The 1950 film version with Jose Ferrer? The updating by Steve Martin? Appropriate adaptation? Making the characters and plot plausible?

3. Canadian locations, British Columbia, the town, its style, natural beauty, contemporary atmosphere? Bruce Smeaton's score?

4. America, the '80s, life in the town, comic, serious, human foibles and pretensions?

5. The introduction to Charlie, Steve Martin's presence? The revelation of Charlie's appearance, his nose? (The expert make-up for the nose?) The encounter with the sportsman on the street, the mock duel with the tennis racquet and Charlie's winning? Making him a hero of chivalry and romance? His work with the Fire Department? With the fat boy on the roof, luring the cat down with the pet food? His team, their hopelessness, comic scenes of training them? His friendship with Dixie and his being able to talk with her? The first encounter with Roxanne? Helping her back into her house? His athletic prowess in scaling the house? Having something to eat? His wit? Hearing her story? Helping her with the telescope? The attraction? His falling in love with her? The attack by the man in the restaurant? The Steve Martin wit and comedy and comic timing of the 20 sayings about his nose? Roxanne confiding in him, his mistaking her intentions? His deciding to help with Chris? The encounter with Chris and his nose? The writing of the letters? The courting - and his being in the van and supplying the words to Chris? The letters written while Roxanne was away? The crisis on her return and his wanting to tell Chris? The real fire and its being put out? Dixie and the truth? Roxanne confronting him? Clash? The happy ending? In himself, his appearance? The shadow, the doctor and the noses, the self-consciousness, his true worth? His love for Roxanne and his expression of it?

6. Roxanne, her presence in the town, her beauty, predicament, her getting Charlie's help, meeting him, going out, her friendship with Dixie? The passes made by the fireman? And her critique of him at his shop? Her Infatuation with Chris? Setting up the telescope, her ambition to find the comet? Confiding in Charlie and getting his help? The experience with Chris, her romantic response to his letter? The courting sequence? His failure when his connection with Charlie was broken? His reverting to himself? Her forgiving him, the night together? With whom was she in love? The going to the university, her success? her getting the letters and her rapture? The return? The clash with Chris? His letter and the truth? The confrontation with Charlie? The happy ending? The humorous comment during the final credits?

7. The firemen and their awkwardness, gawky, work? Life in the town? their recreation, success in putting out a fire and working according to the drill?

8. Chris, his appearance, arrival, with the girls, his friend? Being sick with nervousness with Roxanne, escaping through the toilet window? With Charlie, the awkwardness about his nose? The long day writing the poor letter? The ear phones and his courting Roxanne? His going to her after Charlie's courting? His awkwardness, friendship with Sandy at the bar? The mix-up when Roxanne returned? His final letter? Going off with Sandy?

9. Dixie, her friendship with Roxanne, listening to Charlie, her, giving the truth to Roxanne?

10. The comedy sequences, in the restaurant, Charlie's manner and timing, Roxanne locked out, the fire drill, the fire?

11. An old story: appearances and reality, the truth about love?