Roxanne

Roxanne

Year: 1987

Runtime: 107 min

Language: English

Director: Fred Schepisi

ComedyRomance

A spirited transgendered sex worker unexpectedly finds joy and purpose when a young girl is left in her care. As they form an unlikely and heartwarming bond, they navigate the complexities of love, family, and identity. The film explores themes of acceptance and belonging in a tender and offbeat comedy.

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Roxanne (1987) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the bustling streets of a sun‑kissed coastal town, everyday life hums with a rhythm that’s part hustle, part heartbeat. The city’s neon lights and cramped alleyways provide a vibrant backdrop for a story that mixes off‑beat comedy with a surprisingly tender look at what it means to belong. Humor flows as freely as the tide, yet beneath the jokes there’s a quiet invitation to notice the people who live on the margins, finding connection in the most unexpected places.

At the center of this world is Roxanne, a spirited transgender sex worker whose wit and resilience make her a magnetic presence wherever she goes. She moves through the city with a blend of swagger and vulnerability, her laughter masking deeper questions about identity and acceptance. Roxanne’s job, while demanding, also gives her an acute awareness of human longing—something she’s learned to navigate with both practicality and a surprising softness.

A chance encounter brings a shy, abandoned girl into Roxanne’s orbit, and the two quickly form an unlikely partnership that feels both fragile and fierce. The young girl, fresh to the streets and carrying her own unspoken burdens, discovers in Roxanne a reluctant guardian and, gradually, a friend who offers both protection and playfulness. Their interactions ripple with humor—a shared cup of cheap coffee, a clumsy dance in a rain‑slicked lane—while also hinting at the deeper emotional currents they’ll have to steer.

Together, they wander a world that oscillates between bright storefronts and shadowed corners, meeting a cast of quirks—a nosy café owner, a well‑meaning but clueless volunteer firefighter, and other colorful locals—each adding texture to the town’s tapestry. As the seasons shift, the duo’s bond suggests that home isn’t a fixed address but a feeling forged through compassion, acceptance, and the shared laughter that binds strangers into a makeshift family.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:40

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Roxanne

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