This movie transports you into the lives of two business partners, both unhappy and each in their own respective rut, side-by-side. The two take advantage of their award for Marriage counseling to break bad on the streets of San Francisco, indulging in the memories and vices of the city. We see their friendship become strained by the action, one reveling in the freedom, the other adrift in a sea of his own loneliness. As the two men take traumatic hits to their psyche, it becomes clear that this playful excursion has left them both scarred by their relationships with prostitutes. One such prostitute, Roxie, has a penchant for taking sad men under her wing only to abandon them later once they become happy. The movie is strikingly shot. Actors David Usner, Joel Roth, Kelly Burk, and Sheryl Hartman excel in wiping the polish off the buddy movie trope and showing the sadness and depravity of drug-fueled revelry in adults.
9 Reviews
A movie about the the responsibilities of love and the destructiveness of acting on revisionist history.
jourbonne11 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Solid, character-driven film...
flandog6228 April 2015
ROXIE is a small, independent film with good writing, solid acting, and a lot of heart. It's thoughtful and funny with a bit of soul. I enjoyed it.
You don't see a lot of films where the main characters are in their sixties. When you do, it's usually something stereotypical, and played with unrealistic characters and broad humor...like sitcoms.
This film is different than that. It's more like a foreign film in that it gives the characters depth of feeling and emotion. These are not stock characters, even though there are some silly moments...in a good way. Each of the main characters goes through their own journey that is deeply felt. It's a journey that changes each of them in tender, sad, deep, and funny ways.
You don't see a lot of films where the main characters are in their sixties. When you do, it's usually something stereotypical, and played with unrealistic characters and broad humor...like sitcoms.
This film is different than that. It's more like a foreign film in that it gives the characters depth of feeling and emotion. These are not stock characters, even though there are some silly moments...in a good way. Each of the main characters goes through their own journey that is deeply felt. It's a journey that changes each of them in tender, sad, deep, and funny ways.
beautifully acted, courageous, funny
annetteol-180-8877068 December 2014
Roxie is about humanity's eternal ability to fall in love and to experience the joys and horrors of that magical state. The movie follows with pathos the problems of mature men and women and also of a hooker caught in the tragedy of her own hurtful game. As a person "of a certain age," I loved seeing excellent actors of my own generation (as well as young people) on the screen, depicting the dilemmas we can face. The film is funny, riveting, surprising and sad. My husband, who is a devoted movie buff is also a brutal critic. If a movie is dull or flags even for a bit, he instantly falls asleep. He was awake for every moment of Roxie which we saw at San Francisco's Sanford Meisner Film Festival. This movie is an original. You WANT to see it.
For poor unwarned you . . . you're welcome . . .
whatithinkis8 July 2015
First I checked the reviews. Wow . . . ALL good.
So, then I watched the film.
Well, clearly this first part is a joke, I thought. Some stylistic extreme used to set up a premise. But it kept on. With the same people and the same absolutely ATROCIOUS acting. And, lest we place the entire burden on those hapless people . . . though they do deserve a good portion 'cause they are AWFUL . . . the directing was also truly awful.
Wait . . . what? . . . I checked the reviews again . . . did I miss something? Were the 'Bad' reviews somehow in some other place? Nope. None.
So, back I went for long enough to appreciate fully the silliness of the writing. It's lack of depth, intelligence . . . for that matter: sense.
I gave it about thirty minutes and then I got it. This is A BAD BAD movie. Oh, I thought, WHY DIDN'T ANYONE WARN ME? Oh well, off to another film tra la . . . but this crapper, 'Roxie,' this one kept nagging at me. I kept worrying about poor unwarned you, about to fall into the trap of NO WARNING, as had I.
Sigh, I thought, I don't wanna write a review 'cause IMDb MAKES me write ten lines and all I have is one: 'THIS STINKS!' So, no, I'm not gonna bother, I decided and Off I went again to that other film tra la. STILL, you - poor unwarned you - pulled at me and I thought, oh ****, I can do it. I can come up with ten lines about what a waste of time this crapper is.
AND, I think I have.
Don't bother with 'Roxie,' it is unbelievably awful. You're welcome.
So, then I watched the film.
Well, clearly this first part is a joke, I thought. Some stylistic extreme used to set up a premise. But it kept on. With the same people and the same absolutely ATROCIOUS acting. And, lest we place the entire burden on those hapless people . . . though they do deserve a good portion 'cause they are AWFUL . . . the directing was also truly awful.
Wait . . . what? . . . I checked the reviews again . . . did I miss something? Were the 'Bad' reviews somehow in some other place? Nope. None.
So, back I went for long enough to appreciate fully the silliness of the writing. It's lack of depth, intelligence . . . for that matter: sense.
I gave it about thirty minutes and then I got it. This is A BAD BAD movie. Oh, I thought, WHY DIDN'T ANYONE WARN ME? Oh well, off to another film tra la . . . but this crapper, 'Roxie,' this one kept nagging at me. I kept worrying about poor unwarned you, about to fall into the trap of NO WARNING, as had I.
Sigh, I thought, I don't wanna write a review 'cause IMDb MAKES me write ten lines and all I have is one: 'THIS STINKS!' So, no, I'm not gonna bother, I decided and Off I went again to that other film tra la. STILL, you - poor unwarned you - pulled at me and I thought, oh ****, I can do it. I can come up with ten lines about what a waste of time this crapper is.
AND, I think I have.
Don't bother with 'Roxie,' it is unbelievably awful. You're welcome.
OK flick on old age crisis
cekadah25 July 2015
Not such a good movie as the other reviews would have you believe. Not such a bad movie either.
Two old farts - Dave & Joel - run a family/marriage therapy practice. Both Dave & Joel suffer broken marriage and dysfunctional family issues. A classic case of the therapist needing therapy.
Dave is a successful writer on bringing romance back into a marriage and he and Joel are giving a presentation at a conference in San Francisco. While there they decide to use a call-girl service. Dave is an old hand at this but Joel is new and apprehensive about this game. Dave's call girl experience is a disaster while Joel's call girl experience fulfills his greatest fantasy.
This is where Roxie comes into he story!!! If you care to know why the movie is titled "Roxie" give it a look.
Two old farts - Dave & Joel - run a family/marriage therapy practice. Both Dave & Joel suffer broken marriage and dysfunctional family issues. A classic case of the therapist needing therapy.
Dave is a successful writer on bringing romance back into a marriage and he and Joel are giving a presentation at a conference in San Francisco. While there they decide to use a call-girl service. Dave is an old hand at this but Joel is new and apprehensive about this game. Dave's call girl experience is a disaster while Joel's call girl experience fulfills his greatest fantasy.
This is where Roxie comes into he story!!! If you care to know why the movie is titled "Roxie" give it a look.
ROXIE is a thought-provoking and relatable "coming of second-age" drama!
ryanbartongrimley30 November 2017
ROXIE is a thought-provoking and relatable "coming of second-age" drama! Like all great indie films, the lead characters in Roxie are seriously flawed which really makes you care about them and their journey. Yes, you may hate them a bit, but hopefully you'll feel bad for them. Either way, you will feel something because this film seriously goes there... It is very moving and insightful and the only other film I've seen do this is Alexander Payne's ABOUT SCHMIDT, so Roxie is in great company. To follow up, the acting is great, the production design is utilitarian but crisp and the photography is beautiful in a gritty and immediate way. Add to that a rich and unapologetic story and some nice twists and turns and... BRAVO you got a great movie!
A gem of a film not to be missed
wvmasuda30 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Roxie is a real gem of a film that surprises in a number ways.
Any sense that we are watching an "acted" film completely disappears in the face of such superb performances. Thanks to Dave Usner, Joel Roth, Kelly Burk, Sheryl Hartman, and an excellent supporting cast, we are treated to direct, honest portrayals of human needs and emotions that are complex and surprising, often downright contradictory.
Dave who, at the opening of the film, is the real instigator of the sexual shenanigans that ensue when Dave and Joel attend a therapists' conference in San Francisco, is ultimately the one who is left the most unfulfilled by the experience, ending up even more alone and confused at the end of the film.
In contrast, Joel who at first seems the "innocent," led on by his more worldly friend, ends up reveling--maybe even wallowing--in the experience, convinced that he is in love with the escort Roxie. He seriously considers running away with her, quite ready to chuck the rest of his life in the trash. Life is never what we expect, nor does it present us with neat answers and happy endings. This film captures life's complexity faithfully and honestly and not without some dark humor in the process!
Impressive, too, is the sensitive, always perceptive writing and directing by a very young Nick Frangione. He possesses a deep understanding of human nature and the anxieties that often accompany middle age. This is an unexpected but very welcome surprise considering Mr. Frangione's age at the time of production (early- to mid-twenties). Although it can be argued that Roxie explores themes that are universal to human experience, such an argument devalues the nuanced and masterful writing and directing that are unusual to find in a director of ANY age.
Not surprisingly, this film was the winner of the Best Feature Film Award at the 2013 Bushwick Film Festival. Roxie is a film experience not to be missed, and it was by far one of the best films I was privileged to see at the Sonoma International Film Festival this spring.
Any sense that we are watching an "acted" film completely disappears in the face of such superb performances. Thanks to Dave Usner, Joel Roth, Kelly Burk, Sheryl Hartman, and an excellent supporting cast, we are treated to direct, honest portrayals of human needs and emotions that are complex and surprising, often downright contradictory.
Dave who, at the opening of the film, is the real instigator of the sexual shenanigans that ensue when Dave and Joel attend a therapists' conference in San Francisco, is ultimately the one who is left the most unfulfilled by the experience, ending up even more alone and confused at the end of the film.
In contrast, Joel who at first seems the "innocent," led on by his more worldly friend, ends up reveling--maybe even wallowing--in the experience, convinced that he is in love with the escort Roxie. He seriously considers running away with her, quite ready to chuck the rest of his life in the trash. Life is never what we expect, nor does it present us with neat answers and happy endings. This film captures life's complexity faithfully and honestly and not without some dark humor in the process!
Impressive, too, is the sensitive, always perceptive writing and directing by a very young Nick Frangione. He possesses a deep understanding of human nature and the anxieties that often accompany middle age. This is an unexpected but very welcome surprise considering Mr. Frangione's age at the time of production (early- to mid-twenties). Although it can be argued that Roxie explores themes that are universal to human experience, such an argument devalues the nuanced and masterful writing and directing that are unusual to find in a director of ANY age.
Not surprisingly, this film was the winner of the Best Feature Film Award at the 2013 Bushwick Film Festival. Roxie is a film experience not to be missed, and it was by far one of the best films I was privileged to see at the Sonoma International Film Festival this spring.
Smart, funny, relevant film with believable, likable, relatable characters.
triplelife12 September 2014
Roxie is a bold, independent, and unbridled exploration of some restless characters cajoling each other into increasingly sticky situations, often with hilarious results, and always with raw emotion bubbling to the surface. I literally laughed out loud more while watching this film than any in recent memory, which was partly do to the acting, and partly a result of situations that just devolve into really unexpected depths.
This D.I.Y., micro-budget film displays a labor of love and devotion from those who made and starred in it. What a treat to watch such honest human portrayals on the screen. And there is nothing funnier than the scene by the fire pit. Not to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that it's just something we don't get to see in many (if any) films! In fact, I can't compare this to any other movie I've seen, as it strikes me as so unique. It succeeds in boldly going where other's dare not tread: the land, mind, and restless yearnings of these aging, balding, professional men; respected in their filed, and yet deplorably human when the public veneer is shed. And it must be said as well that the girls with whom they involve themselves are brilliant characters in their own right, who certainly elevate the work with their sultry performances.
Bravo Roxie! Must be seen to be believed. Really special piece of film. Enjoy.
This D.I.Y., micro-budget film displays a labor of love and devotion from those who made and starred in it. What a treat to watch such honest human portrayals on the screen. And there is nothing funnier than the scene by the fire pit. Not to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that it's just something we don't get to see in many (if any) films! In fact, I can't compare this to any other movie I've seen, as it strikes me as so unique. It succeeds in boldly going where other's dare not tread: the land, mind, and restless yearnings of these aging, balding, professional men; respected in their filed, and yet deplorably human when the public veneer is shed. And it must be said as well that the girls with whom they involve themselves are brilliant characters in their own right, who certainly elevate the work with their sultry performances.
Bravo Roxie! Must be seen to be believed. Really special piece of film. Enjoy.
Great film that will grab your heart & make you laugh. Good for any age viewer.
millerb-114-87657123 September 2014
I enjoyed this film because it touched on the universal theme of aging, and how baby-boomers, living in a 21st century reality; internalize the yearning to be young again. As unrealistic as that sounds, what ends will we go to recapture our youth? Where do we find love in a plastic world of sexual ambiguities? David Usner and Joel Roth (Dave & Joel) speak to this in their heartfelt aspirations to self-actualize as if they had just turned 21. With all the turns & twists, dealing with rejection, false hopes and lost dreams, Dave coming home to an empty house, falling in love with a prostitute, experimenting with drugs, this story could easily appeal across age group demographics. I did feel that the opening music represented the chaotic aspects of life rather than the driving force that keeps us relentlessly searching for some meaning in our lives
some hard beat to dance to. I would rather have heard a crisp score from a Dave Brubeck piece. But in spite of that, the film regained its momentum as two men in their 60's, in the face of existential aloneness and isolation; embark upon experiential escapades, both humorous and sad, as they attempt to drink from the fountain of youth. This film is more about, "Come on baby light my fire" than it is about the walking dead. Old or young, this is a film to enjoy.
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