Strong and Moving!

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

This isn't a knock on the American people, but for those who may know the actual Cyrano de Bergerac story (the one this is solely based on), with all the effort in the world to give into it this film can only come across as forced, and a hollow reinterpretation of the myth as a mainstream American disposable comedy.Steve Martin does well at times with the dialog (like the famous 'big nose' tirade, in the bar here), but it's just too obvious what he's trying to do, and the entire narrative is too obvious; and although Steve Martin is certainly very pure at heart as a man, and this is another one of his outlets of how much romanticism and sensitivity he has in him, it just falls way short really in the end. Just not convincing, too obvious.It's not awful though but 4/10 as it barely gives the original any original added value.

Edmond Rostand's play 'Cyrano de Bergerac', about a man with an abnormally large nasal appendage, is re-imagined as a contemporary romantic comedy in this motion picture written by and starring Steve Martin. Transforming the source material into a comedy works better than one might expect thanks to the wit and charm that Martin brings to the role (even if he never outclasses José Ferrer). Martin also displays remarkable athletic agility at several points with the key dynamic being the confidence he is unable to feel around women despite otherwise being an absolutely perfect romantic prospect. At the best of times, the film is very funny too with Martin coming up with several impromptu insults for himself at one point, cheered on by a crowd, and a part where his attempts to help young Rick Rossovich woo Darryl Hannah's title character undone by the interfering police radio signals. The comedy varies in effectiveness though (Martin drinking from a wine glass is particularly unfunny) and it detracts somewhat from the drama. Martin never quite manages to communicate how heartbreaking it is for him to help Rossovich romance the woman he loves. Aside from being painted as intelligent (she is an astronomer), Hannah is never especially alluring either, nor does the interest she takes in the bumbling Rossovich ever really ring true. If one accepts these elements and runs it with though, there are many amusing moments to be had with Golden Globe nominated Steve Martin in very fine form, not to mention the fun ways that the story has been updated for modern times.

"Roxanne" actually tells the story of the French Renaissance-hero Cyrano De Bergerac, but brilliantly turned into a modern romantic comedy. Steve Martin stars as C.D. Bales, the head of a small village fire department. He has quite a big handicap, or should I say: nosicap? His nose is bigger than most men's... uhm, finger. But don't feel sorry for C.D.! In the first five minutes you learn that he is charming, witty, that he can take good care of himself and that he is by no means a victim of circumstances. However, C.D. is not always sure of himself. Especially when he meets beautiful Roxanne, played by Daryl Hannah. What will win Roxanne's heart: Good looks (which C.D. isn't really blessed with) or sweet and sensual poetry? Australian director, Fred Schepisi, brings Martin's adaptation of De Bergerac together in an entertaining modern romantic comedy that even today, despite the dated soundtrack, continues to be funny.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

I really was left disappointed, I really like Steve Martin in his goody films but this was not one of the best he has ever done, it was actually rather boring. OK his character is meant to have a big nose and is in love with Darryl Hannah ' s character but, I guess I just needed more! I think the movie needed more humor and maybe not have it too long. I had to really stop at 15 minutes of the movie when I got bored of it. I just felt there wasn't anything there and just didn't enjoy it. I really think this is the worst movie that Martin has ever done in his film career...