Twenty Something Betters

I've always been a Steve Martin fan. I don't know why, but a few days back the movie "Roxanne" popped into my head. In the film, Martin plays a modern day "Cyrano de Bergerac" -- complete with an over-sized schnoz -- who is smitten with the new girl in town (Roxanne) portrayed by Daryl Hannah. She, however, is infatuated with another man who is extremely handsome, but incredibly dimwitted.

As in the play, Martin's character is sensitive about his perceived ugliness; i.e., his "big nose" (which he cannot get surgically altered because of a dangerous allergy to anesthetics) and speaks to the object of his adoration the only way he can: he writes expressions of love and allows "the other man" to present them to Roxanne as if they were his own.

Now, whenever I think of this film, the scene that comes to my mind first is one that takes place in the local bar. This is set in a small town in Colorado, I believe, so pretty much the whole town is present when some big gorilla comes up to Charlie (Steve Martin) and says, "Heard you're tough." Charlie makes some dismissive reply and turns to walk away when the man shouts out, "Hey, where you going, Big Nose?"

Charlie publicly berates the brute because "big nose" is the best he can come up with and the guy taunts him with, "I suppose you could think up something better." They decide on "twenty something betters" and that is when the fun starts. Actually, Charlie ends up ticking off more like 25 something betters and not only does he come up with the zingers, but he categorizes them as he goes; i.e., musical, obscure, pornographic, naughty, disgusting, French, and aromatic to name a few. I love this scene.

Guess I was in the mood for a little levity, and who better than Steve Martin to bring a smile to one's face. The movie itself, while decent, is not necessarily a favorite of mine, but I will stop and watch it for a bit if I happen upon it while channel-surfing; especially if I know I'm about to be treated to...twenty something betters.


With thanks to Dozirulf at YouTube for the vid.