Fearless small-town firefighter C.D. Bales (Steve Martin) becomes smitten with beautiful stargazer Roxanne Kowalski (Daryl Hannah) but is self-conscious about his exceedingly long proboscis. The fair maiden has also captured the fancy of C.D.'s handsome but tongue-tied chum Chris (Rick Rossovich). C.D. thinks he's too ugly to snag Roxanne's heart, so he woos her vicariously by supplying his rival with florid sentiments and poignant poetry.