Classic Movie Review Roxanne

Roxanne

Directed by Fred Schepisi

Written by Edmond Rostand, Steve Martin

Starring Steve Martin, Darryl Hannah, Damon Wayans, Shelley Duvall

Release Date June 19th, 1987

The Steve Martin-Darryl Hannah comedy "Roxanne" celebrated its 30th anniversary recently, prompting a nostalgic rewatch for many. As a child, the film was a source of endless laughter, but revisiting it as an adult revealed its flaws. The experience was underwhelming, leaving a sense of disappointment.

Similarly, revisiting Martin's 1980 standup comedy special, "In Honor of Steve," highlighted a disconnect from his earlier work. This isn't to say that Martin lacks comedic talent or that his work is universally unfunny; it's a matter of personal taste and how humor evolves over time. What was once hilarious now falls flat.

A prime example of this disconnect is the opening scene of "Roxanne," a fight scene meant to showcase C.D. Bales' sensitivity about his large nose. The scene feels awkward and forced, failing to establish C.D.'s character effectively, especially considering it's the audience's introduction to him.

The film is filled with instances of excessive physical comedy, often at the expense of character development and narrative cohesion. One example occurs after the pivotal scene where C.D., disguised as Chris, confesses his love to Roxanne. Despite the emotional weight of the scene, the film abruptly shifts into a jarring and unfunny physical comedy routine. This unnecessary addition disrupts the narrative flow and undercuts the emotional impact of the scene. Martin's physical antics, while perhaps amusing to some, detract from the film's overall effectiveness.

While "Roxanne" has its moments of charm, and Steve Martin shares undeniable chemistry with the main characters, particularly Darryl Hannah, there are glimpses of untapped potential. The meet-cute scene, for instance, is genuinely delightful. Martin's wit shines through, and the scene exudes charm. Had the film maintained this focus on wit and clever dialogue instead of relying on slapstick humor, "Roxanne" could have been a standout romantic comedy of the 1980s.

Ultimately, it's the failure to capitalize on this potential that diminishes the film's appeal. "Roxanne" is a flawed film with moments of charm. It's mediocre, occasionally bordering on creepy, and while it has its moments, it could have been so much more. The film's shortcomings highlight the importance of balance and restraint in comedy, as well as the need to adapt humor to evolving tastes and sensibilities.

Movie Review Marcy X

Marci X (2003) 

Directed by Richard Benjamin 

Written by Paul Rudnick 

Starring Lisa Kudrow, Damon Wayans, Christine Baranski, Richard Benjamin

Release Date August 22nd, 2003 

Published August 21st, 2003 

An Open Letter to Hollywood

After sitting through the Gigli's, the Kangaroo Jack's and the Lara Croft Tomb Raider's it's clear you don't care about the American filmgoer. You have made it clear that you have no respect for our intelligence, no respect for our taste, no respect period. I understand that but I still must ask one favor, if you listen to us, the American filmgoer just one time please listen to this plea. Never allow director Richard Benjamin to make another film as long as he lives. His latest effort Marci X is clearly the worst that you in Hollywood could possibly ever make, and if it's not God help us all.

Normally this is the part of the review where I give a synopsis of the plot but unfortunately, I couldn't find one. Somewhere buried beneath a series of witless skits and musical interludes is something about a rapper played by Damon Wayans and a rap record that has drawn the ire of a conservative congresswoman played by Christine Baranski. Lisa Kudrow plays the daughter of the owner of the record company who is forced to take over the company when her father has a heart attack.

That is the setup but the execution, oh if only I were using execution literally, is a horrendous satire of rappers and rap culture that is inane, offensive and tremendously unfunny. References to rappers such as Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg and Eminem are tossed in alongside characters that stand in for people such as Puff Daddy, Jennifer Lopez and Suge Knight. God help Richard Benjamin if Suge Knight sees this film, although that might not be a bad thing. Can you sue someone for just referring to you because the rappers whose names and images are dragged through this film deserve restitution.

It comes as no surprise that Marci X has the stink of two years on a studio shelf, only Satan himself could be responsible for this film ever making it to theaters. The film's jokes certainly show the film's age, despite an overdubbed reference to Martha Stewart's legal troubles, one scene is a sendup of Puffy and J.Lo's nightclub incident. Of course the whole thing is a horribly misconceived take on Ice T's Cop Killer crossed with the Two Live Crew censorship case both of which happened over ten years ago.

Not that a more up to date script could help this mess. Benjamin's direction is so amazingly witless that he manages to not merely embarrass Kudrow, Wayans and Baranski, but humiliate them. The stars were complicit in their humiliation but it's hard to believe three such talented performers could have ever imagined that what they were making was this bad. Proof of that is that Kudrow and Wayans actually manage to spark some chemistry when they are short-circuited by the film falling apart around them.

Roger Ebert has a line that I have cribbed a number of times to describe just how bad a film is. Ebert said of a film called Mad Dog Time that it did not improve upon the sight of a blank screen viewed for the same length of time. Marci X is actually an insult to the very screen it's projected on. I beg Hollywood, please do not allow Richard Benjamin to inflict any further damage on the film-going public. Not many will see Marci X but for the brave fools who do, you owe it to them to make sure Mr. Benjamin never makes another film.