Roxanne
In Nelson, the chief of the firemen C. D. Bales is a man with complex since he has a huge nose. When his friend Dixie rents her house to the gorgeous student of astronomy Roxanne, he falls in love with her but keeps his feelings as a secret. C.D. hires the handsome fireman Chris and Roxanne asks C.D. to help her to date him. However Chris is an average American with very limited culture and he asks C.D. to help him to get in her pants. C.D. writes letters disclosing his feelings for her and Roxanne is seduced by the man that writes such letters. What will happen when she meets Chris?
Despite its modest budget of $12.0M, Roxanne became a commercial success, earning $40.1M worldwide—a 234% return. The film's compelling narrative resonated with audiences, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
3 wins & 2 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Roxanne (1987) showcases carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Fred Schepisi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes C.D. Bales walks through the charming mountain town of Nelson, greeting neighbors warmly. He's beloved fire chief with a quick wit, but his enormous nose is visible even from behind, establishing his physical "flaw" and his compensating charm.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Roxanne arrives in town - a beautiful, intelligent astronomy student. C.D. Is immediately smitten, watching her from afar. For the first time, he wants something he believes he cannot have, disrupting his contented equilibrium.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to C.D. Actively chooses to help Chris woo Roxanne by writing letters for him. This decision launches the deception plot - C.D. Will live vicariously through Chris's looks, entering a "new world" of triangulated romance., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The balcony scene: C.D. Hides in darkness while speaking his own romantic words to Roxanne, who believes she's talking to Chris. False victory - C.D. Achieves true intimacy but only by hiding. Stakes raised: the deception deepens., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Roxanne discovers the truth - that Chris isn't the author of the letters. She feels betrayed by the deception. C.D.'s dream dies; the romantic connection he built through words collapses. His worst fear realized: his intelligence couldn't overcome his appearance., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. C.D. Realizes he must be honest and vulnerable. Roxanne, meanwhile, understands she fell in love with C.D.'s mind and heart, not Chris's face. Both synthesize the lesson: authentic connection requires truth, not artifice., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Roxanne's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Roxanne against these established plot points, we can identify how Fred Schepisi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Roxanne within the comedy genre.
Fred Schepisi's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Fred Schepisi films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Roxanne represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Fred Schepisi filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Fred Schepisi analyses, see Mr. Baseball, The Russia House and I.Q..
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
C.D. Bales walks through the charming mountain town of Nelson, greeting neighbors warmly. He's beloved fire chief with a quick wit, but his enormous nose is visible even from behind, establishing his physical "flaw" and his compensating charm.
Theme
Dixie tells C.D., "You think too much. You should just say what you feel." The theme of authenticity versus artifice, speaking from the heart versus hiding behind words or appearances, is stated early.
Worldbuilding
We meet the bumbling volunteer fire department, the quirky townspeople, and see C.D.'s world: he's intelligent, helpful, loved by all, but lonely. His nose prevents him from pursuing romance despite his romantic soul.
Disruption
Roxanne arrives in town - a beautiful, intelligent astronomy student. C.D. is immediately smitten, watching her from afar. For the first time, he wants something he believes he cannot have, disrupting his contented equilibrium.
Resistance
C.D. debates whether to pursue Roxanne. He helps her find a house, they share intellectual connection. Meanwhile, handsome but dim fireman Chris also falls for Roxanne. C.D. realizes the challenge ahead.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
C.D. actively chooses to help Chris woo Roxanne by writing letters for him. This decision launches the deception plot - C.D. will live vicariously through Chris's looks, entering a "new world" of triangulated romance.
Mirror World
Roxanne reads C.D.'s letters (written for Chris) and falls in love with the words, the mind behind them. This relationship will teach C.D. that true connection comes from authenticity, not appearance.
Premise
The fun of the premise: C.D. writes increasingly beautiful letters while Chris delivers them. The courtship blossoms through poetic correspondence. C.D. enjoys intellectual intimacy with Roxanne while Chris enjoys physical proximity.
Midpoint
The balcony scene: C.D. hides in darkness while speaking his own romantic words to Roxanne, who believes she's talking to Chris. False victory - C.D. achieves true intimacy but only by hiding. Stakes raised: the deception deepens.
Opposition
The deception becomes harder to maintain. Roxanne grows closer to "Chris" while C.D. suffers watching. Chris grows uncomfortable with the lie. The town's astronomy event approaches. C.D.'s scheme unravels as both external pressure and internal guilt mount.
Collapse
Roxanne discovers the truth - that Chris isn't the author of the letters. She feels betrayed by the deception. C.D.'s dream dies; the romantic connection he built through words collapses. His worst fear realized: his intelligence couldn't overcome his appearance.
Crisis
C.D. withdraws into darkness, believing he was right all along - that his nose makes him unlovable. He processes the pain of loss and deception's consequences. The town feels his absence.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
C.D. realizes he must be honest and vulnerable. Roxanne, meanwhile, understands she fell in love with C.D.'s mind and heart, not Chris's face. Both synthesize the lesson: authentic connection requires truth, not artifice.
Synthesis
C.D. confronts Roxanne honestly about his feelings. She reveals she knew it was him all along (or realizes she loves the real him). They come together authentically. C.D. uses his intelligence and wit as himself, not through a proxy.
Transformation
C.D. and Roxanne together under the stars, he pointing out constellations. The lonely man who hid behind wit and proxies is now authentic and loved. His nose unchanged, but his self-acceptance and connection transformed.