In Other Words – A Movie Review by Mark Pintar

Of

Roxanne
Starring: Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah

roxanne
Starring: Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah

Based on Cyrano de Bergerac, “Roxanne” tells the story of C.D. Bales, a small town fire chief (Steve Martin) who faces his many challenges with humor and a positive attitude. C.D. was born with a remarkable feature, a huge nose. He usually has a good sense of humor about it, but don’t make fun of it, or he will retaliate. When a summer visitor (Daryl Hannah) catches both his eye and intellect, the fun really begins. She is smitten with the new recruit in the fire department, and uses C.D. as a go-between. Soon, the recruit feels he is intellectually out of his league, and also enlists C.D.’s help in writing love letters. Needless to say, things get more than a little awkward in a hurry.

Though the fashions are a bit dated, this story holds up. It fits squarely into the romantic comedy genre. Martin’s genius adds heavily to the comedy side, restrained and understated one minute, and over the top hilarious the next. His interactions with the town folk are wonderful, from the little old ladies to the humorously inept volunteer fire fighters.

Through all the humor and romance in “Roxanne”, one lesson stands out. Be yourself! I think this is helpful in all aspects of life, not just in romance. In our careers, we will be much happier and more successful if we find our strengths and weaknesses and match a vocation to them, rather than trying to figure out what the latest trend is and going for it. In all our relationships, it pays to be ourselves and not try to fit what we think others want.

Be yourself, it really is what others are looking for.

--- © 2004, In Other Words, A Book and Movie Review by Mark Pintar

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