Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael

Plot synopsis:
The film's main character is a 15-year-old girl named Dinky Bossetti (Ryder). Dinky was adopted as a baby. She appears to have little acceptance in her social circle, although it is not obvious which came first - her antisocial attitude or her being rejected by her peers. Her adoptive mother is disappointed that the daughter she chose has no interest in "feminine" things, such as makeup and nice clothing. Her classmates ostracize, taunt, and throw things at her regularly. Dinky finds solace in her "Ark", a small cabin-boat beached on a lake shore. In and around the boat, Dinky has collected a menagerie of abandoned animals.
As the story begins, Dinky is befriended by a new school guidance counselor, who recognizes her intelligence and spirit. Dinky becomes convinced that she is the abandoned daughter of Roxy Carmichael, a minor film star who left town for Hollywood 15 years ago after giving birth to a baby girl out of wedlock. Miss Carmichael has been invited to return to town to assist in the dedication of a new municipal building, and she has accepted. The news of her return stirs up old jealousies and insecurities: old schoolmates start acting in irrational ways, while Denton Webb (Jeff Daniels), the husband she abandoned when she left town, becomes so obsessed by the idea of her return that his wife moves out.
As the date for Roxy's return draws nearer, Dinky becomes more and more desperate to prove that she is Roxy's daughter, visiting the star's childhood home (which is maintained as a museum), and obsessively questioning Denton about what happened the night she left, believing that Roxy will take her away to a new life. On the day that Roxy is due to arrive, Dinky packs her suitcase and arrives at the welcoming ceremony in a beautiful dress. Her adoptive mother has invited representatives from a foster home so she can send Dinky away, but her husband (who has been silent around his strident, unloving spouse) leaves in disgust and angrily tells her "I'm going find Dinky. I'm going to FIND OUR DAUGHTER." A limousine draws up, but a man gets out with a note of explanation: Roxy has not come back. Before the limousine can drive away, Dinky runs after it. Denton catches up with her and tells her the whole story (having realized the reason for Dinky's obsession with Roxy): although Roxy did have a baby, and did leave it with him, the baby died. Roxy is not Dinky's mother.
Left with nothing, Dinky is rescued by Gerald Howells, a popular boy who has become increasingly interested in her. At first, Dinky is suspicious of his interest, but the end of the film shows them together in a relationship where she finally holds the upper hand as things return to normal in the town.

Tags: pornographic, satire

Review:
'Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael", is an endearing, and utterly underrated picture, with more heart and intelligence than it is given credit for.
Winona Ryder's portrayal of a sexually confused, socially dysfunctional, and emotionally reserved character, is charming and convincing, bringing truth and credibility to the film.
Set over a week dedicated to the return of obscure legend, "Roxy Carmichael", whose most famous contribution to society was having her name in a song, in the small town of Clyde, Dinky Bosseti (Winona Ryder), feels a connection for the first time in her life.
The film focuses on the need for mother/ daughter relationships through adolescence, and the sexual development of a young woman through self-discovery and fascination.
Relationships between her guidance councillor, her adopted father, and a young town's boy, contrast the romantic appeal of celebrity to highlight the importance of human interaction, allowing for Ryder's character to re-assess her life.
If you pass this film in the "comedy" section of your video store, as it is so wrongly placed, pick it up.
If you have ever felt detached from society, or inadequate (particularly during your teenage years), this film is something you will certainly relate to..
Winona Ryder has a big collection of forgotten but first-rate movies, and this is no exception.
At just 19, Winona Ryder had already scored two massive hits with Beetlejuice and Heathers, but this performance eclipses them easily - and is possibly one of her best ever.
Jeff Daniels' performance is spot-on, and together on screen these two stars shine brightly - not to take anything away from the superb supporting cast.One of my all-time favourite movies, and one that still looks as fresh today as it did 16 years ago - testament to the people who made it.
Someone else here described it as a 'hidden treasure' and I agree - it is hugely underrated and is a must-see for anyone who loves movies, Winona Ryder, Jeff Daniels, or has ever felt something was missing, confused or that they didn't belong.
If I had to choose one movie to rescue from my burning house, this would certainly be the one..
This movie touched me !.
Decided to watch "Welcome home, Roxy Carmichael".
I was almost in tears during to whole movie.
This movie touched me very deeply !.
It showcases a young Winona Ryder's very obvious talent for acting, especially outcast roles, continuing her alternative edged film performances beginning with Lucas and Beetle Juice, which would continue onward into the future.
The film viewed as a character study is much more enjoyable than the film viewed as a story about the prodigal homecoming of the immortalized Roxy Carmicheal to which the title refers.
The real beauty of the film is witnessing the trials, the pathos, the dilemmas, and the funny stunts of social misfit Dinky (Ryder's character).
I fell in love with this character, seeing her as almost a female equivalent to myself (or as I once was anyway).
If you are in any way a misfit or rebel, whether you are male or female, you will instantly relate and have empathy for the character of Dinky, who virtually carries the film on her back (due credit should be given to Jeff Daniels' performance though, as another testimonial to his fine dramatic acting abilities).
It succeeds in creating a memorable and poignant atmosphere that may linger in the viewers' hearts and minds for a time afterward..
Great typical nineties small town movie!.
Don't be deceived by the rather low IMDb-rating: In it's genre (typical nineties small-town-story), this is absolutely a great movie.
While the main storyline is entertaining enough (a rebellious teenage girl in search of her own identity), it is actually the portrayal of some other characters that make the movie so worthwhile.
The rhythm of the movie is well-paced, the dialogs are rich and the plot line may seem predictable, but a very open-minded-written script ensures some surprises.
If you like the genre then 'Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael', with its dash of romance, comedy, small-town-drama and general quirkiness, won't disappoint..
The movie is focused on the whole town of Clyde, Ohio, yet it's basically centered around Dinky.
Dinky is a misfit, both at home (she's adopted) and school.
Although most kids would not enjoy this and would want to keep their heads down, Dinky has her head up and is not afraid to admit that she's different.
The town is going bonkers over the arrival of Roxy Charmichael, a person who went from a somebody in Clyde, to a somebody all across the world.
You also get to see the life of Roxy's former love interest before she left Ohio, a man named Denton.
Denton and Dinky form an interesting bond, she's obsessed with Roxy, he know literally everything about her.
She becomes convinced that Roxy is her mom, due to what Denton tells her one day.
All in all this movie is an original classic that let's the viewrs look into the life of nearly the whole town.
Watch for Carla Gugino's cameo appearence at the very begining of the movie as young Roxy.
The movie is basically saying, everybody wants to be somebody else, whether it's a famous person, or the kid next door, everybody wants to be somebody.
This is a fine movie, so if you have nothing else to watch on t.v. and this is on, give it a shot..
Winona Ryder great but the movie is lacking.
15 years ago, Roxy Carmichael left town leaving behind her boyfriend and new baby.
Now, she's coming home as a success story.
Her former boyfriend Denton Webb (Jeff Daniels) is still not over her despite being married with kids.
Dinky Bossetti (Winona Ryder) is adopted, bullied at school and a loner who keeps lots of animals at an abandoned boat.
Dinky is convinced that she's the love child of Roxy and Denton.
Her only friend is the school counselor Elizabeth Zaks.Winona Ryder is perfectly cast as this sensitive outsider teen.
She is great at playing this type of character.
The rest of the movie lacks humor.
He doesn't seem to have a solid hold on a sensitive serious coming-of-age movie.
The attempted comedy slams into Denton's anger and his side of the story.
The movie works with Ryder but struggles without her..
I recall seeing this film over a decade ago and eventually bought the video because I liked it so much.
It's not particularly fantastic but it is good sweet endearing little film which I can kind of relate to as well as a lot of people who felt a little different and that they stood out during their puberty years.
The only popular actors/actresses I can recall in this film is Winona Ryder, Jeff Daniels, Dinah Manoff and Frances Fisher(before the Titanic franchise).The basic premise of this film is about a former town outcast and title of this film Roxy Carmichael who 15 years ago fled from the small town of Clyde, Ohio to seek fame and fortune.
The main focus is revolves around 15 year old Dinky Bossetti(Ryder), a gifted misfit and social outcast whom nobody likes as she is often ostracized by her peers and teachers alike at school.
The only solace Dinky finds is her menagerie of animals she takes care of on an ark around an abandoned boat as well of her fascination with Roxy Carmichael whom she feels drawn to for some reason.
She does find a few allies namely Gerald Howells(Thomas Wilson Brown), a boy in school who doesn't sneer at her and actually smitten with her.
Miss Zaks(Laila Robins), the new guidance counselor who takes an interest in Dinky and sees potential in her.
And Denton Webb(Daniels)a carpenter and a former flame of Roxy's who can't seem to get over is fixation on her that is causing strain in his marriage.
Soon Dinky and Denton bond over Roxy and he reveals to her that they once had a baby girl together shortly before she left town.
After this revelation Dinky is convinced that Roxy is her birth mother and she can't wait more than ever for her Roxy's return so she can go live with her "mother".This decent flick has humor as well as sentimental moments, and it's with interesting characters including Manoff as a former rival maybe a lesbian lover of Roxy's.
Ryder stands out as Dinky and is portrayed rather convincing as girl who is a social outcast with depth as she deals with all the things around her, her ostracism from her peers, her disconnect with her parents, her sexual discovery and the fears that goes with it regarding her interaction with the cute boy at school, her need to search for her own identity and escape from the dreariness of her surroundings.
Ryder never comes off weak or pathetic despite her outcome but headstrong, tough and vulnerable.I also liked the soundrack sung by Melissa Etheridge which are quite memorable.
Anyway, this flick can be entertaining as be relatable, like wanting to escape your life and be someone else and learning to except what you have..
This Film Is Better Than Citizen Kane.
This Film Is Better Than Citizen Kane for two reasons.
The Ending Means Something to the Characters in the film, finding out what rosebud is means nothing to anybody except a faceless image in a news room.
Who gets out of the limo in "Roxy" means everything to a small town in Ohio.
The Story must have meaning for the characters in it, without it who really cares.
Bringing us to the next point, if you don't like the main character than whats the point?
i'm not saying i don't like Charles Kane, But i Already know he's dead from the begining the rest is filler.
In "roxy" The audience cares about Dinky, what happens to her is important.
Adorable Winona Ryder may have become the '90s equivalent of Molly Ringwald had it not been for a succession of poor movie choices that failed to expand on her range (or her appealing post-beatnik persona).
As Dinky Bosetti, small town outcast who would like to believe that hometown celebrity Roxy Carmichael is really her long-lost biological mother, Ryder's allure here is reduced to that of a messy, misfit tomboy dressed in black.
Adopted Dinky loves animals and is picked on at school, though that isn't much to build a character on, and Ryder ends up making faces and acting in a vacuum.
There are a few funny moments and excellent soundtrack choices, although all the picture really needed was a sharper screenplay and a more focused direction.
Thomas Wilson Brown as Gerald Howells made this movie.
This under used actor lent a sweet sentiment to a good movie that was having trouble finding it's way.
But, this time watch Thomas Wilson Brown.
It becomes a whole different movie..
A pleasant, heartwarming comedy-drama, this early Winona Ryder vehicle is well-written by Karen Leigh Hopkins, and has the benefit of sure-handed direction by Jim Abrahams.
Treating teenage alienation with simultaneous depth and levity, the movie is a gentle little tale that has a lot to say about how people treat each other.
As usual, Ryder is a charming screen presence, paired with the likable Thomas Wilson Brown, whose adolescent character shows surprising depth and thoughtfulness..
One of the best qualities of this  film is the soundtrack.
From the Soulsearching "Let the Sun Shine Through" to the frank and rythmic "If You Don't Like What You See," this film has many exceptional lyrics..
Different people in different walks of life from a small ton in Ohio confront insatiable desires, delusions, and fantasies..
This movie isn't about Roxy Carmichael coming home.
What she looks like doesn't matter.
The point of this movie is much more profound.
It wasn't the fact that Gerald was still in love with Roxy Carmichael-it was the fact that he was in love with the idea of youth, a time past, and the unattainable.
Dinky's story was slightly different-I think the theme there was more so about the lies we tell our selves, and sometimes the delusions that carry us through.
A subtle side story was of the lesbian relationship between Evelyn and Roxy.
I think its significance goes far beyond what you see the film because of the often silenced and unspoken nature of same-sex relationships.
People who experience this may be left with a "Roxy Carmichael" Syndrome, (most likely in the same sense that Gerald had it, as they mostly only portrayed Evelyn as wanting to out dress her ex-best friend when she arrived).
Ryder and Robins great; everything else mediocre.
A rather condescending view of small-town hoopla.
I suppose the film is an extended character study.
Interesting, the only passing reference to a lesbian affair, or fling, between two of the peripheral characters.
Inspired performances by Winona Ryder and Laila Robins couldn't save this movie.
Bad teen soap movie about high school missfit and her small town life.Below average production and the good acting by Winona could not save this one too much.Leads one along to a promised climactic end but does not deliver.Only for fans of missfit teen trouble dramas,big fans of teen movies and Winona fans as well.......
all time greatest movie ever made.
I could watch it every single day for the rest of my life.
Melissa Etheridge uses her Grammy award winning talent with this amazing song in the movie.
I absolutely love this move love love love love this movie and i think you will too.
I watched this movie years and years and years ago and I still talk about it way more that I should but anytime I mention the name people look at me and say that I totally made it up.
Did I mention how Great this movie really is.
I love this movie..
I love this movie..
One of the worst movies I've ever seen.
Winona Ryder is a brilliant actress,but what is she doing in this mess?
WELCOME HOME,ROXY CARMICHAEL is a dreadfully boring film that teases the viewer until the absolutely unforgivable ending.
You'll be too angry to see straight when this movie ends,believe me..
One of the best films of the 90's!.
This movie is for all the misfits out there that can't seem to find your place in the world.
All of your pain, frustration and angst is tied up in Winona Ryder's excellent performance as Dinky Bosetti.
Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael takes place in Clyde, Ohio, a small, rural town.
In the movie, there are your typical 'cliques' and Dinky isn't part of any of them.
She chooses to keep her independent, free-spirited self relegated to her 'ark', a broken down boat where she keeps a variety of misfit animals that she bonds with and treats like family.
Her adoptive parents don't understand her, her classmates mock her and the only person who seems to 'get' her is the guidance counselor.
A fellow classmate, Gerald, secretly has feelings for Dinky which he expresses later on in the movie, which leads me to the actor who played him...Thomas Wilson Brown is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated actors out there.
I saw it in this movie, I saw it in "Honey, I shrunk the Kids." and I saw it in "The Mooring".
Needless to say, this is probably my favorite movie of all time.
This is a movie for anyone who has ever felt left out or different.
The only real letdown is that we never really see Roxy Carmichael as she chooses to not show up to her own ceremony at the end of the movie.
All in all, wonderful movie!.
Roxy is an inkblot.
This movie has been consistently misunderstood.
Most like and enjoy Winona Ryder's performance and it does work moderately well as a Breakfast Club/teen angst sort of movie, but the movie actually has three poles between which the action moves:Dinky's exploration of her own emerging personality and sexuality The town-representing conventionality and conformity, on one hand, and various adults and peers who are more-or-less sympathetic and ready to help...if Dinky will let themRoxy, the larger-than-life image that means something different to everybody.The editing of the movie has come in for criticism over the years but the various cuts are there to show that everyone, including Dinky, has a *different reason* to be in an uproar over Roxy's impending arrival.
Some commenters were angry that Roxy never arrived, but by that point in the movie she had served her purpose.
Her nonarrival served as a moment of self- revelation for everyone who had been reacting to her in their individual ways, baring their motives at least to themselves.It may seem a reach, but in plot structure this movie actually reminds me just a tiny bit of Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying" In that book, the grandmother dies, they load her coffin into the wagon and begin a trek to town to bury her.
In various chapters Faulkner makes the readers aware that each of these family members would have been easily turned aside and sensibly buried her as soon as possible but for their different individual, private reasons to go to town.Baz. 6 out of 10..
This is another "movie with a message".
It was extremely well done, well acted and interesting movie.
I don't like when a movie teases you with something and then it never happens.
Another IMDb reviewer wrote how bad this ending was and I agree-completely-it's to much a tease-you'll turn the movie off feeling cheated and since that's never a good way to be at the end of a flick I wouldn't rate this movie past a 6.
I understand endings are not always as we, the audience would like them to be but there is a difference between endings that are necessary to the plot of the movie and endings that just seem contrived to cheat the viewer out of something they've waited for the whole film.