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Fred Schepisi: The '80s

Barbarosa

Iceman

Plenty

Roxanne (November 12/09)

A low-key, sporadically touching romantic comedy, Roxanne follows small-town fire chief C.D. Bales (Steve Martin) as he reluctantly agrees to help a moronic coworker (Rick Rossovich's Chris McConnell) woo a fetching newcomer (Daryl Hannah's Roxanne Kowalski) - which, given that C.D. himself possesses real feelings for the woman, inevitably results in a series of comic misunderstandings and unexpected revelations. Director Fred Schepisi has infused Roxanne with an unassuming sensibility that effectively mirrors Martin's low-key screenplay, as the film's exceedingly deliberate pace ensures that the emphasis generally remains on the characters and their ongoing exploits. The relaxed atmosphere, which is peppered with a number of admittedly hilarious interludes, ensures that the movie doesn't really get going until C.D. and Chris begin working together, with the pair's palpable chemistry effectively heightening the inherently comedic nature of their combined efforts at winning Roxanne's favor. And although C.D's smart-alecky demeanor occasionally skirts the border of obnoxiousness, Martin's warm performance plays an instrumental role in the character's transformation from big-nosed wiseguy to genuinely sympathetic protagonist. The pervasively pleasant vibe generally proves effective at compensating for the film's less-than-enthralling elements, with the end result an entertaining yet undeniably forgettable romcom that benefits substantially from the stars' charismatic work.

out of

A Cry in the Dark

About the DVD: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment presents Roxanne with an absolutely pristine 1080p Blu-ray transfer, although bonus features are limited to a pair of trailers (Made of Honor and The Pink Panther).
© David Nusair