The Baxter (2005)

In the style of a Howard Hawks comedy, Baxter follows the twists and turns of a young man's life during the two weeks before his wedding.

Director:

Michael Showalter

Writer:

Michael Showalter

Stars:

Michael Showalter, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Williams

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Showalter	...	Elliot Sherman
Elizabeth Banks	...	Caroline Swann
Michelle Williams	...	Cecil Mills
Justin Theroux	...	Bradley Lake
Zak Orth	...	Wendall Wimms
Michael Ian Black	...	Ed
Catherine Lloyd Burns	...	Stella
Peter Dinklage	...	Benson Hedges
Paul Rudd	...	Dan Abbott
Katharine Powell	...	Sonya Simmons
Jon DeVries	...	Alan Swann
Donna Mitchell	...	Judy Swann
Haviland Morris	...	Kate Lewis
David Wain	...	Louis Lewis
Jim DeMarse	...	Leonard Sherman

Storyline

In the style of a Howard Hawks comedy, Baxter follows the twists and turns of a young man's life during the two weeks before his wedding.

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Plot Keywords:

wedding | otter tail county minnesota | church | jogging | buddy | 

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Taglines:

A romantic comedy for anyone who's ever been dumped.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief sexual humor and some drug references

Details

Official Sites:

IFC [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 April 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bakouri apo kounia

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$37,437 (USA) (26 August 2005)

Gross:

$181,872 (USA) (14 October 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

IFC Films, IFC Productions, Plum Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Ian Black and Catherine Lloyd Burns play a couple named "Ed" and "Stella". These are the names of two television shows starring Michael Ian Black.

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Goofs

In the Dartmouth pep rally flashback, Tanner is holding a girl's lacrosse stick.

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Quotes

Cecil Mills: You know how I said they had singing in Cincinnati? I lied.

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to ... everyone at Goldcrest ...

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Connections

References Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Hopeful"
Written by Theodore Shapiro, Craig Wedren and Angela McCluskey (as Angela McClusky)
Mudluscious Music (BMI) / Spirit Music, Melt Listen Music (BMI), McTrouble Music (BMI)
Performed by Theodore Shapiro & Angela McCluskey (as Angela McClusky)
Produced by Craig Wedren
Mixed by Lee Mars

User Reviews

Sweet and neurotic

The wonderful thing about browsing video stores is coming across films that never came to your local theater - because they were filled with garbage such as "Fever Pitch" and "Be Cool" - and finding out these small films are actually pretty good.

"The Baxter" is certainly one of those films. It's surprisingly sweet without getting maudlin. The characters' neuroses are all charming without ever seeming to be unnatural. And the film's also awfully funny.

It's helped immensely by a superbly deadpan performance by Michael Showalter. He plays his character completely straight and the laughs come naturally. And the always wonderful Michelle Williams again proves why she's quite possibly one of the most under-rated actresses today. She's so good at playing slightly quirky people without ever seeming odd. Just take a look at turn in "The Station Agent" (2003).

The film gets wonderful supporting work from Elizabeth Banks, Justin Theroux - his entrance is priceless - and a genuinely funny cameo from Peter Dinklage.

"The Baxter" isn't the greatest comedy, but it's certainly better than most of the fare that's in theaters right now. It has a certain honesty. You can't help but feel for the title character and his predicaments. Most of us have been there and it's hard not to like this chap. He also surrounds himself with oddballs who never take away anything from the film. Of course, they're movie people but they add something unique to this special little film.