Roxanne (1987) Plot Summary Explained

C.D. is deeply insecure about his large nose and convinced that Roxanne would never love him physically. Rather than risk direct rejection, he writes heartfelt letters expressing his true feelings and has Chris hand them over as if they were Chris's own words. This allows C.D. to reveal his romantic nature without exposing himself to the humiliation he fears.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes C.D.'s insecurity about his nose very early, making his deceptive approach feel like a logical extension of his character.

• cd bales
• letters
• deception
• insecurity
• love triangle

C.D. has a dangerous allergy to anesthetics, which makes any surgical procedure on his nose life-threatening. This is why he cannot simply undergo the plastic surgery that might boost his confidence and pursue Roxanne directly.

Foreshadowing: The film mentions this allergy early as the reason C.D. must live with his appearance rather than change it.

• nose surgery
• allergy
• anesthetics
• appearance

Dixie, C.D.'s friend and god-sister, reveals the truth to Roxanne. This bombshell drops during the escalating tension, exposing C.D.'s deception and forcing everyone to confront the reality of who truly wrote those heartfelt letters.

Foreshadowing: Dixie is established as a close friend to C.D., giving her both the knowledge and the proximity to uncover the truth.

• dixie
• revelation
• letters
• truth
• discovery

Roxanne is drawn to Chris's charming, easygoing demeanor and physical attractiveness. She believes the thoughtful, romantic words in the letters came from Chris, not realizing it was actually C.D.'s intelligence and sensitivity being expressed through someone else's appearance.

Foreshadowing: Chris is introduced as charming and attractive, while C.D. is shown struggling with his self-image, creating the initial confusion.

• roxanne
• chris
• attraction
• charm
• letters

After the truth about the letters comes out, C.D. visits Roxanne to face the fallout. She feels betrayed and accuses him of manipulation, while C.D. counters that she was seeking an idealized, perfect partner rather than seeing him for who he really is. This clash forces both to examine their true feelings.

Foreshadowing: The earlier reveal by Dixie sets this confrontation in motion, as Roxanne now knows the letters were a deception.

• confrontation
• roxanne home
• betrayal
• truth

Roxanne's confession that she loves C.D.'s unique nose symbolizes her acceptance of him entirely, including the physical feature he's most insecure about. It represents loving someone unconditionally and finding beauty in what society might consider imperfect. Her declaration flips C.D.'s greatest insecurity into something she cherishes.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, Roxanne shows she values substance over appearance, making this declaration consistent with her character.

• nose
• acceptance
• unconditional love
• inner beauty

Roxanne realizes that the genuine emotional connection and intellectual compatibility she felt through the letters came from C.D., not Chris. Once she understands his true character, the wit, sensitivity, and depth revealed through his writing, she recognizes that his physical appearance doesn't diminish who he actually is.

Foreshadowing: The letters throughout the film showcase C.D.'s true personality, which Roxanne responds to emotionally even before she knows the truth.

• acceptance
• appearance
• inner beauty
• character

The comet Roxanne eagerly awaits to observe serves as a metaphorical device representing wonder, discovery, and new beginnings. It mirrors Roxanne's own journey of opening her heart to unexpected possibilities, much like the arrival of something rare and beautiful she never anticipated.

Foreshadowing: The comet is introduced alongside Roxanne's character as an astronomer, tying her identity to the pursuit of celestial wonders.

• comet
• astronomy
• metaphor
• wonder
• discovery

After the truth about the letters is exposed and C.D. and Roxanne confront each other, they clear the air. Roxanne chooses C.D. once she understands he was the author of the letters all along, and she openly declares her love for him. Chris, being not-so-bright, doesn't seem to hold a grudge and simply fades from the romantic picture.

Foreshadowing: The letters consistently contain the emotional depth that Roxanne responds to, making her eventual choice feel natural.

• love triangle
• resolution
• roxanne
• chris
• happy ending

C.D.'s profound insecurity about his nose convinced him that no woman could love him as he is. He believed Roxanne would reject him immediately, so he created an elaborate ruse where he could express his true feelings anonymously. This allowed him to be emotionally vulnerable without risking direct physical rejection.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early on that C.D. is witty and skilled in many areas but crippled by self-doubt about his appearance.

• insecurity
• fear of rejection
• deception
• self-esteem