In this modern take on Edmond Rostand's classic play "Cyrano de Bergerac," C. D. Bales is the witty, intelligent, and brave fire chief of a small Pacific Northwest town who, due to the size of his enormous nose, declines to pursue the girl of his dreams, lovely Roxanne Kowalski. Instead, when his shy underling Chris McConnell becomes smitten with Roxanne, C.D. feeds the handsome young man the words of love to win her heart.
Writing
Martin's 20 nose jokes scene—pure comedic architecture.
Acting
Martin balances pathos and pratfalls like nobody else.
Cinematography
Pacific Northwest glow makes everything feel like first love.
Director
Fred Schepisi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Martin spent years developing this after discovering Cyrano in college; he refused to do a prosthetic nose, insisting the comedy work without visual gimmicks.
The '20 better insults' scene was shot in one take. Martin wrote 100+ nose jokes and performed until Schepisi yelled cut.
US
