Is Roxanne Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Roxanne is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 107 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Roxanne Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1987, Roxanne emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Romance domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of In this modern take on Edmond Rostand's classic play "Cyrano de Bergerac," C. Unlike standard genre fare, Roxanne attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Roxanne features a noteworthy lineup led by Steve Martin . Supported by the likes of Daryl Hannah and Rick Rossovich , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Roxanne (1987) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Roxanne Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Roxanne is a Comedy, Romance film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. In this modern take on Edmond Rostand's classic play "Cyrano de Bergerac," C. D. Bales is the witty, intelligent, and brave fire chief of a small Pacific Northwest town who, due to the size of his enormous nose, declines to pursue the girl of his dreams, lovely Roxanne Kowalski. Instead, when his shy underling Chris McConnell becomes smitten with Roxanne, C.D. feeds the handsome young man the words of love to win her heart. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Roxanne Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Roxanne concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Roxanne reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Roxanne?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Roxanne Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $12.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $40.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Roxanne Budget
The estimated production budget for Roxanne is $12.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Roxanne
- Steve Martin – C.D. "Charlie" Bales
- Daryl Hannah – Roxanne Kowalski
- Rick Rossovich – Chris McConnell
- Shelley Duvall – Dixie
- John Kapelos – Chuck
Top Highlights
Steve MartinC.D. "Charlie" Bales
Daryl HannahRoxanne Kowalski
Rick RossovichChris McConnell
Shelley DuvallDixie
John KapelosChuck
Fred WillardMayor Deebs
Max AlexanderDean
Michael J. PollardAndy
Steve MittlemanRalston
Damon WayansJerry
Where to Watch Roxanne Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Netflix🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVParents Guide & Age Rating
Roxanne is rated PG. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is generally suitable for all ages.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.4/10, and global collection metrics, Roxanne stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1987 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roxanne movie hit or flop?
Roxanne has received mixed reviews with a 6.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Roxanne worth watching?
Roxanne is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Romance movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Roxanne online?
Roxanne is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also check for it on platforms like Netflix depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Roxanne
Breezy and just all around enjoyable rom-com with Steve Martin in prime form. Seen this one several times over the years and still holds up so well.
Great watch, will likely watch again, and do recommend. If you're going to get back in the way back machine, then Steve Martin is a reliably choice, and a story modeled off of Shakespeare is typically a pretty good choice too. A little Cirano goes a lot way. Yes, as a Cirano story, it's predictable, but it's certainly about the journey, not the destination. Martin certainly delivers an experience, and the way they decided to twist it is definitely unique if not inspired. I'd say this is begging for a reboot, but it's not exactly an original story, and I can't imagine what newer technology would add to it.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Steve Martin
The Best of Carson, Volume 1
Where the Universe Sings: The Spiritual Journey of Lawren Harris
Starring Dick Van Dyke