Steve Martins adaptation of Edmond Rostands 1897 play Cyrano De Bergerac, Roxanne (1987) sees the brilliant poet and fearsome swordsman Cyrano reimagined as firefighter Charlie C.D. Bales. Just as in the play, C.D is a larger-than-life, charismatic man, a self-taught intellectual, martial artist and acrobat, who falls in love with the equally erudite Roxanne (Roxane in the play). Theres just one snag Roxanne is beautiful, and Charlie has the largest nose known to man. Like Cyrano, Charlie is obsessively neurotic about his nose: because of it, hes convinced that no woman could ever fall in love with him, despite the fact that in every other way possible, hes the biggest catch in town. Like Cyrano, Charlie allows himself to become involved in the budding romance between astronomer Roxanne and a socially awkward friend, eventually seducing her on his behalf by writing her passionate love letters that leave her utterly smitten. A lot of the story, characterisation and set pieces have been retained in Martins clever, witty screenplay. However, while the source material is a swashbuckling romance with tragic overtones, the latter is a gently amusing Hollywood rom-com and theres the problem. In the original story, Cyranos friend and rival marries Roxane, but dies before the truth of who wrote the letters can be revealed. Rather than have the woman he loves devastated further, Cyrano redeems himself and keeps the secret for her sake, a secret he takes to the grave despite remaining her close platonic friend for the next fifteen years. In Roxannes slightly tweaked ending, Charlie Bales gets the girl when hes outed as Roxannes real pen pal after his rival skips town with a cocktail waitress. Sure, Roxannes mad that Charlie lied to her and manipulated her into having sex with a virtual stranger under false pretences. Shes also not at all keen on the fact that, when confronted, he gets narked at her for not having figured it out quicker and mocks her for being easy. She gets over it really quickly when the film needs to get to the happy ending, though. Thats just not on, Hollywood: C.D.s actions are inexcusable and pretty damn creepy, and his entitled little boy attitude sucks. She should have kicked him right in the telescope.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
