Based on the play 'Cyrano de Bergerac', large-nosed C.D. Bales falls for the beautiful Roxanne—while she falls for his personality but another man's looks.
Martin claims to have written 25 script drafts for this film, which indicates the uphill trudge he faced...what he has produced is Steve Martin playing a nice 'n' wacky guy in a sappy story.
– Desson Thomson,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
The nose itself is a perfect prop for a man who began his career with a fake arrow through his head, a man who has since evolved from a coolly absurdist stand-up comic to a fully formed, amazingly nimble comic actor.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
Far and away [Martin's] richest film to date, lyrical, sweet-natured, touching, and very, very funny.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
In the end it's hopelessly sappy stuff.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
2 Feb 2009
fresh:
It's a neat trick, being Steve Martin. He's so good; his movies will get even better.