WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Roxanne
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 21 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah, Shelly Duvall, Rick Rossovich, Fred Willard & Michael J. Pollard

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 3
Download WSR Review
Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
(Catalog Number): 79326
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $34.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 107
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1987
(LD Release Date): 7/96
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Fred Schepisi
(Screenplay/Written By): Steve Martin
(Story): NA
(Music): Bruce Smeaton
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Jack DeGovia
(Visual Effects): NA
(Costume Designer): NA
(Editor): John Scott
(Supervising Sound Editors): Frank Warner
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Steve Martin
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Michael Rachmil & Daniel Melnick

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Panavision
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.39:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.20:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Roxanne is a charming romantic comedy based on Edmond Rostand’s play “Cyrano de Bergerac.” Steve Martin stars in his screenplay as fire chief C.D. Bales, a modern-day Cyrano who falls for the beautiful Roxanne (Daryl Hannah). When Roxanne’s interest peaks for new firefighter, Chris (Rick Rossovich), she seeks C.D.’s help to put in a good word. Little does she know, Chris is too shy to approach her, so he also confides in C.D. Soon, the chief is writing romantic love letters to Roxanne for Chris, but is truly spilling his own feelings out on paper.

LaserDisc Picture:
The intended theatrical Panavision® scope aspect ratio as been recomposed at 2.20:1. Images are generally sharp and detailed, but shadow detail is poor with the darker scenes exhibiting poor imagery and noise. Interior color fidelity is excellent and colors are vivid. Slight artifacts are apparent throughout.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack’s dialogue is poorly ADR-produced in most scenes and sounds generally bright and sibilant. Foley effects also call attention to their unnatural brightness. The music though, provides nice subtle surround.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: