Product: Roxanne (2000) (1987)
Rating: 5.0
Absolutely Brilliant
I don't usually review movies, but I do feel strongly about this particular one. I have probably watched it better than 15 times, and it just may be my all-time favorite, for a number of reasons. First of all, I am a huge "Cyrano de Bergerac" fan--I've read the play a number of times, and seen both the more recent French version, and the 1950 English language adaptation. I had despaired of ever finding an English-language version that captured the beauty and wonderful humor of the original play, but Steve Martin does a fabulous adaptation here, in Roxanne. He works the best elements of the play seamlessly into modern times, always staying true to the heart of the matter, while making the story accessible for today's audience. It doesn't hurt that his performance is spot-on: the perfect mixture of dreaminess and self-loathing, sweetness and acerbic wit. Darryl Hannah also does a great job bringing Roxanne (previously a relatively flat character) to real life, making her a human being instead of an untouchable goddess. Every time I watch this movie, I get something different out of it, and to my mind, that's the hallmark of a great film.