Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Roxanne is Steve Martin's update of the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac. It's sweet and charming and ultimately has a worthy message about having to believe in yourself to find true love. This 1987 romantic comedy also is edgier than its PG rating might suggest. There's frequent innuendo (some related to the size of Martin's character's nose) and talk of sex (including fleeting oral-sex references), as well as a scene in which costar Daryl Hannah runs around naked after being locked out of her house (no sensitive body parts are shown, but she's clearly nude). Characters also swear ("s--t," "a--hole") and drink socially. Martin's character is sensitive about his unusual facial feature, and he kicks, punches, and otherwise manhandles some of those who insult him. Two of the main characters collaborate on a deception that hurtfully misleads another, but truth and honesty eventually rule the day.
Sexual
Content
Frequent innuendo and suggestive language, including in relation to C.D.'s large nose ("finally, a man who can satisfy two women at once"). Roxanne runs around naked after being locked out of her house; no sensitive body parts are seen, but there are glimpses of her bottom. References to oral sex. Characters talk about sex ("I mistook sex for love") and reference things such as Playboy magazine in come-on lines.
Violence
C.D. uses a tennis racket and his feet to hit and batter two drunk jerks who insult him. He also punches a rude man in a bar and manhandles others who are rude to him.
Language
Fairly frequent language includes several uses of "s--t," plus "p---y" (once), "bastard," "ass," "hell," "a--hole," "d--k," "horny," "knockers," "goddamn," and more.
Social
Behavior
Although much of the movie involves deception and pretending to be someone you're not to impress someone else, ultimately characters learn that they're much happier when they're true to themselves and one another. Honesty and self-acceptance are the foundations of lasting love.
Consumerism
References to Playboy magazine.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Adults drink wine and beer in bars and restaurants; reference to cocaine in the scene in which C.D. comes up with alternative insults to "big nose." C.D. drinks a slug of alcohol at one point to gird himself for a medical procedure (which doesn't end up happening). Two obviously drunk men insult C.D.