The Baxter

I saw this movie during the "Free Drive-In Movies at Rockefeller Center" series in New York City, on 15 June 2005. It doesn't get a wider release until later this summer, but when it does, I would see this movie with my grandparents. Heck, I could see this movie with my great- grandparents. I could go see this with my snobby friends, and my culturally clueless friends, and I think they all would like it. I'm actually looking forward to bringing my parents to see it, because not only do I think they'll really enjoy it, but I feel like it's finally one of those "movies their weird artsy daughter likes" that I can show them and know that they won't be either appalled over or baffled by.

This is in NO way intended to imply that The Baxter is boring or sappy or in any way oversimplified – completely the opposite. The film and the characters are complex, even though they are intentionally written as types. Despite being told through a series of flashbacks, there is no plot that can be ruined by showing the ending at the beginning – the whole point of the story is that you already know how these things always end, and the story is in how the characters get there. Like any good character study, the film makes the most of its preordained plot by reaching those ends through uniquely-developed means.

One of the reasons that so many movies that could be labeled "family appropriate" are so bad is because the fact that they're so decent feels so contrived – like the raunchy and disturbing parts of life are taken out, and what's left becomes the plot of a PG movie. What makes The Baxter different in its broad appeal is not that it aims low, but that it lifts the audience up to its level. It encourages the viewer to explore other facets of the romantic comedy standard without ever leading them into territory so foreign or artificial that they are unable to relate to the characters or the circumstances. Quite simply, this is a decent and proper and earnest movie because it's told from the point of view of decent and proper and earnest people. It's good, and it's damn good, because, among other things, like excellent costume and set designs, great characters, ridiculous attention to detail, and beautiful directorial choices, it doesn't cater or pander to any one sort of person or audience – it's a clever take on a timeless theme, and it's executed in a way that that just about anyone can appreciate. It's sincere, it's honest, it's believable, it's incredibly moving, and it's memorably unique – it also just so happens to be extremely polite, because some movies, like some people, are just polite by nature, and that's what makes them who they are. Highly recommended.

Is it just me, or was this an homage to The Apartment (Best Picture – 1960)? Baxter, was played by Jack Lemon in the Billy Wilder classic. I got a feel for it here, but it was a tad shy of a full load for my tastes, but the subtly in places and the "everyone is a Baxter" message were warm and sincere.

Recently I have been spoiled by faster and smother paced silly, love stories by the likes of the Friends' cast, Sandler, and Stiller. Even the classics from the 50's through the 70's often found a more stable pace to encourage us to follow along.

The glacially slow development of the main characters' true desires takes something away from this movie for me. But perhaps that was just the point. Sometimes it takes us to be pushed to the edge to face what we want to do with our love. A little better pacing, a better mixing of the silly and the subtle would have made this an exceptional movie. I will wait hopefully for Michael Showalter's (director/writer ) next effort.

A quirky premise and some delightful performances made this film refreshingly true to its stated goal. Showalter is charmingly awkward and perplexed throughout, as a "baxter," one of the guys who are always left alone at the altar when their brides' true loves return to abduct them. Michelle Williams is exceptional in her role, and Jon DeVries and Peter Dinklage both contribute some great comedic moments.

A few sour notes rang out, including Elizabeth Banks' performance as Caroline Swann, which seemed confused and inconsistent. But The Baxter's power is in its non-standard take on old romance stereotypes. The impassioned speeches of each reformed lover to his girl are wonderfully recast from the perspective of the safe, nice guy who is our protagonist here. True love for him is not in being a daredevil or a risk-taker, but simply being himself and taking the opportunity that presents itself. As a new kind of romantic comedy that doesn't necessarily play by the rules, The Baxter succeeds in many ways.

This film wasn't exactly life-altering for me, but it definitely got me thinking about ex- boyfriends, and how things may have been different - or how things turned out for them. It's upbeat in that"there are no losers - there's somebody for everybody," but it might take one hell of a journey to find your other half. This movie explores the kind of people that never get discussed in film or media - because they're not cool enough, or sexy, or too neurotic, etc.. But in this movie, you fall in love with the characters who seem a bit out of step, and it makes you want to bitch-slap the pretty people. I give Showalter major props for actually achieving a unique crowd-pleaser. Oh, and it's absolutely hilarious. He has a long career ahead of him.

The Baxter (2005) written and directed by Michael Showalter, is a very predictable--but enjoyable--movie.

Director Showalter has cast himself as Elliot Wendall Sherman, "The Baxter." "The Baxter" is the man who, although perfectly decent, gets left behind at the wedding altar when the romantic hero appears at the last possible moment.

Elizabeth Banks plays the elegant Caroline Swann, who falls in love--sort of--with Elliot. Michelle Williams is Cecil Mills, a girl-next-door type who has newly arrived in NYC.

The question, of course, is not what will happen--obvious--but how it will happen. The plot is weakened by unlikely premise that someone like Caroline would consider marrying Elliot.

Michelle Williams is delightful as the innocent young thing, and it would be quibbling to demand cinema verite from this film.

Just enjoy it for what it is--not memorable or ambitious, just pleasant and enjoyable.