Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael is a 1990 American comedy-drama film directed by Jim Abrahams (of Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker fame) and starring Winona Ryder and Jeff Daniels. The supporting cast includes Laila Robins, Graham Beckel and Frances Fisher.
After she left the town of Clyde, Ohio following the birth of her child, Roxy Carmichael became a movie star as well as the legend of her home town (to the point where her house has become its own museum). 15 years later, she announces her comeback, much to the town's excitement—but not to Denton Webb (Daniels), who was her fiancé and struggles to get over his relationship with her. Meanwhile, Dinky Bossetti (Ryder) is a lonely, troubled teenager who has a fascination over Roxy, and as she keeps getting information from Denton, begins to get a bigger picture on what's behind Clyde's local icon.
This film provides examples of:
- Adoption Angst: Dinky is an adopted child who wants to know more about her real parents. She believes Roxy Carmichael is her mother but is proven wrong by Denton.
- All of the Other Reindeer: Dinky is either picked on by other teenagers or disregarded by the town's adults early in the film.
- Animal Lover: Dinky takes care of various animals at "The Ark", an isolated grounded boat.
- Blank Stare: Early in the film, Dinky gives one to Evelyn and Gerald after he makes a comment about her look.
- Burn Baby Burn: The second-to-last scene of the film shows Denton burning memorabilia which was supposedly related to his relationship with Roxy.
- Character Title: Although Roxy is only the constant talk of the town while the story mostly centers on Dinky (Roxy is only shown through flashbacks and suggestive shots, and doesn't make any official appearance throughout the whole film).
- Chickification: On the advice of her counsellor Elizabeth, Dinky trims her Wild Hair. This is the first step of a process where she gets rid of her black/boy-ish attire for a pink aesthetic (it makes sense in the context of the film since she's obsessed with Roxy Carmichael to the point of wanting to look like her).
- The Cover Changes the Gender: During the party dedicated to Roxy's return, a cover band plays Frank Sinatra's "My Way" with a gender twist since it's a woman singing it.
- Cover Version: Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild" and Frank Sinatra's "My Way" are played by a cover band during the welcoming party dedicated to Roxy.
- Eating Lunch Alone: How Dinky eats at the lunchcourt during one scene. It also involves other students throwing food at her until Elizabeth intervenes.
- The Faceless: Roxy Carmichael is never properly seen in the movie.
- Feet-First Introduction: The first shot featuring Elizabeth focuses on her legs wearing stilettos. It is then followed by a shot of Dinky's messy boots.
- The Ghost: Roxy is the constant talk of the town, with different inhabitants of Clyde talking about how she became famous. She never properly appears in the movie and doesn't return to Clyde.
- Grief-Induced Split: Denton reveals that his daughter with Roxy was born three months premature and died as a result, causing Roxy's departure.
- Grossout Fakeout: While Denton is trying on a suit and is measured by the shopkeeper, her boyfriend arrives at the store and believes she is giving Denton a blowjob.
- Intelligence Equals Isolation: Dinky, despite her reputation as an outcast, is a smart student, according to her counsellor.
- Intergenerational Friendship: Dinky (troubled teenager) and Elizabeth (School counsellor). The two go from a student-mentor relationship to a much friendlier one afterwards.
- Interrupted Intimacy: Dinky catches her parents having sex, much to her shock.
- Leg Focus: Subverted. The introductory shot of Elizabeth features her legs wearing stilettos and the next scene focuses on Dinky's large dirty boots, cutting off any appeal.
- Making Love in All the Wrong Places: Dinky's parents decide to have sex in their carpet shop. Which obviously leads to Dinky catching them by surprise.
- The Mentor: Elizabeth acts as one while counselling Dinky. The two bond together and end up spending time together outside school.
- Missing Mom: The first scene of the film shows Roxy planning to leave her town as well as Denton and their baby.
- One-Woman Song: One song off the original soundtrack is named after Roxy. A fictional singer wrote the song for her and it became a hit.
- Premature Birth Drama: Roxy had a baby which was born three months too early. Dinky is convinced she is that baby but Denton confirms to her that the baby died.
- Product Placement: Roxy carries a Louis Vuitton suitcase.
- Pubescent Braces: Gerald wears some near the end of the film on purpose.Gerald: You think Dinky will like me?
Beanie: You look ugly!
Gerald: I know. - Shout-Out: To the film Rosemary's Baby. Dinky mentions how her mother was obsessed with it.
- Suggestive Collision: Gerald runs after Dinky and fall together in a position which could lead to kissing.
- Title Drop: Subverted. The film's last line spoken by Gerald is: "Welcome home, Dinky Bossetti."
- Tomboy: Dinky's outfit can be defined that way at the start of the film.
- Troubled Teen: She is a loner and bullied by others.
- Wild Hair: Dinky's. She later trims it on her counsellor's advice.
