**_Teenage Winona Ryder as a misfit coming-of-age in northwest Ohio_**
A celebrity from a small town in the Sandusky Bay region is finally returning home for a visit and members of the town react in different ways. A nonconformist teen (Ryder) has suspicions about the ‘star’ while developing a relationship with the school’s guidance counselor (Laila Robins) and pestering a man who has a history with Roxy (Jeff Daniels).
"Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael" (1990) is sometimes listed as a comedy, but it’s not; it’s a coming-of-age drama with satirical bits and occasional amusement. It’s not about the title character but about how that person’s ‘success’ and fame affect the locals who knew her or knew about her, not to mention those who appreciate her simply for putting their town on the map. This happened in real life with Dave Grohl, who returned to his birthplace, Warren, Ohio, in 2009, wherein he was given the key to the city at the celebration and an alley was named after him. The difference is that Grohl was only 3 years-old when his family left Warren whereas Roxy Carmichael was about 18.
What I like is that the flick captures the mundane existence of people in small town America, trying to find meaning and fulfillment, and not just teens, but adults too. For instance, did you ever have a solitary place where you went regularly as a kid that only you knew about and valued? That’s in this movie. Some bits are comical and some aren’t, but they’re all relevant to real-life: Trying to fit-in at school, being bullied, finding a surrogate mother or father (a mentor), romance, sex in the workplace, getting caught, shameful social secrets, delusional wishful thinking, and more.
The first half is too low-key and uneventful, but the movie finds its footing and delivers a worthwhile viewing experience despite foregone conclusions. I’m speaking as someone who was never smitten with Winona, who happened to be 18 years-old during shooting (in other words, fans of hers might appreciate this more than me). Redhead Frances Fisher was at the height of her physical beauty at 37 while another redhead, Dinah Manoff, is worth a mention as Evelyn.
The movie runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot in the Sandusky Bay area of northwest Ohio, including the town of Clyde.
GRADE: B-
