Directed by:
Michael Showalter
Starring:
Michael Showalter……….Elliot Wendall Sherman
Elizabeth Banks ……….Caroline Swann
Michelle Williams……….Cecil Mills
Justin Theroux……….Bradley Lake
Zak Orth……….Wendall Wimms
Michael Ian Black……….Ed
The Movie
Do you know the part of every romantic comedy where the man runs in to the church professing his love for the bride and the two of them live happily ever after? Well a Baxter is the guy left standing at the alter. It’s like the saying goes, “nice guys finish last” and a baxter is a defining characterization of that phrase, he a guy who is harmless, shares his feelings, takes no risks and never gets the girl. He’s the guy that if you can’t get the man of your dreams is the runner-up prize, the safe choice.
Elliot Sherman is a baxter, for as long as he can remember the women in his life are always taken away from him by old flames. He’s never able to enjoy what he has because he knows deep down inside that no matter what it isn’t going to last. He’s a by the book type of guy who takes no chances, he always plays it safe, monday’s his favorite day of the week and hell he even reads the dictionary for fun. On top of all that he’s a Certified Public Accountant. Basically he’s a bland as can be, if you look up bland in the dictionary his picture would be right there.
His life takes a turn when he encounters one of his new clients, Caroline Swan the daughter of his very first client when he started working with the company. Even Elliot is surprised that a woman like Caroline’s shows any interest in him, they quickly hit it off and before we know it they’re engaged. The majority of the movie takes place two weeks before they’re expected to exchange vows. Caroline’s old flame Bradley miraculously manages to find his way back in to the picture also with days before the wedding and Elliot can already see how this is going to end, only this time after all his break ups he plans to do something about it.
In the movie Elliot says the story isn’t about Caroline, Bradley or anyone else for that matter, it’s about him but if that’s the point of the movie shouldn’t Showalter have at least tried to emit some emotion in to his role? Since he says himself he’s the crux of the picture shouldn’t that light a fire under him to be on top of his game? Well apparently not as his performance never reaches a level that is tolerable, even with his quirky style of humor he’s just off his game. Michelle Williams role as Cecil Mills on the other hand lights up the screen with her presence every time she appears.
The movie is filled with cameo’s from Showalter other comedies like his Wet Hot American Summer pals Zak Orth and Paul Rudd both actors only have a few lines but fans will get a nice smile from seeing them on screen. Also popping up in the movie are Showalter fellow Stella and The State cast members Michael Ian Black and David Wain who again are given minimal screen time but are also a nice nod to people who follow the trio.
In a way The Baxter takes a romantic comedy about two old flames coming back together only it turns the tables by focusing on the other characters in the movie instead of the guy and girl reuniting. The satire doesn’t quite reach the level of Showalter other movies like Wet Hot American Summer which took a straight forward approach at mocking the genre. The Baxter isn’t “laugh out loud” funny but it’s witty and original with its subtlety of wording and expressions. It’s a good movie that has much more potential than is presented in the final cut.
Probably the best thing to come from the movie is its choice to go against the grain. Where every other movie goes, The Baxter does its best to go a different route. Even in the smallest most mundane detail this movie finds ways to avoid cliches. Sure some of it doesn’t necessarily sound funny the first time viewing but I actually found myself enjoy it more with each viewing. What makes it all the more funny is we think we know what’s going to happen next, we think we know how it’ll all end. And on some level the story is predictable but the story Showalter has written is still enjoyable and a breath of fresh air in an otherwise boring predictable genre.
Score: 6.5/10
The Video
(Presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen)
For the most part the video stays clear but during a few scenes some grain is visible from the film print. You won’t find many video errors to distract you from viewing the movie.
The Audio
(English 5.1 Dolby Digital)
There really isn’t much use of the 5.1 in this movie as the front speakers do the majority of the work.
The Extras
Seeing as The Baxter was a small release I really wasn’t expecting much for bonus material, but what’s here is even less than what I imagined to be included. There are four blooper pieces that combined are a little over one minute long, they’re simply actors flubbing lines then for some reason have the movies theatrical release date and website address pop up on screen. After that all that’s on the disc are trailers for Sueno, The Gospel, Ringers: Lord of the Fans, Madison, Creature Comforts: The Complete First Season and Christmas With the Kranks. If they included only a commentary track by Showalter and had that be the only extra it would have raised the rating substantially as what’s here is mainly filler.
Score: 2.5/10
