Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael

Directed by Jim Abrahams, Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael follows a variety of characters, including Winona Ryder’s Dinky, Jeff Daniels’ Denton, and Laila Robins’ Elizabeth, as they await the return of the now-famous title figure to their sleepy burg. Filmmaker Abrahams, armed with Karen Leigh Hopkins’ screenplay, delivers an often excessively deliberate drama that grows less and less compelling (and more and more tiresome) as it unfolds, which is a shame, ultimately, given that the picture admittedly does possess quite a number of affable, engaging attributes – with the appealing small-town atmosphere and raft of top-tier performances initially drawing the viewer into the progressively underwhelming proceedings. It’s equally clear, however, that Abrahams’ aggressively lackadaisical sensibilities ensure that the film’s above-average elements are essentially cancelled out, and while there are some strong stretches here (eg the ongoing encounters between Ryder and Robins’ respective characters remain a highlight), Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael builds towards a third act that’s just unable to pack the emotional punch one might’ve anticipated – with the end result a disappointing misfire that feels like it should be so much better.

** out of ****