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The Civilization of Maxwell Bright

  • 2005
  • R
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
543
YOUR RATING
The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
Drama

After a series of bad relationships, a man orders a mail order bride and receives more than he bargained for.After a series of bad relationships, a man orders a mail order bride and receives more than he bargained for.After a series of bad relationships, a man orders a mail order bride and receives more than he bargained for.

  • Director
    • David Beaird
  • Writer
    • David Beaird
  • Stars
    • Patrick Warburton
    • Marie Matiko
    • Simon Callow
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    543
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Beaird
    • Writer
      • David Beaird
    • Stars
      • Patrick Warburton
      • Marie Matiko
      • Simon Callow
    • 28User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins

    Photos19

    Marie Matiko at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Marie Matiko at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Marie Matiko at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Marie Matiko at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Eric Roberts at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Eric Roberts at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Eric Roberts at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Eric Roberts, Marie Matiko, and Patrick Warburton at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Marie Matiko at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Marie Matiko at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Marie Matiko at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)
    Patrick Warburton at an event for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Patrick Warburton
    Patrick Warburton
    • Max Bright
    Marie Matiko
    Marie Matiko
    • Mai Ling
    Simon Callow
    Simon Callow
    • Mr. Wroth
    Austin Pendleton
    Austin Pendleton
    • Jaurice
    Jennifer Tilly
    Jennifer Tilly
    • Dr. O'Shannon
    Kurt Fuller
    Kurt Fuller
    • Berdette
    Eric Roberts
    Eric Roberts
    • Arlis
    Keith Diamond
    Keith Diamond
    • Jackson
    Rick Mali
    • Timo
    Constance Hsu
    • Mrs. Wroth
    Bryan Clark
    • Justice of the Peace
    Erryn Cleaver
    • Erin the Makeup Artist
    Monique Coppola
    • Gabby Client
    • (scenes deleted)
    Leland Crooke
    Leland Crooke
    • Buddy DeHare
    Cathryn de Prume
    Cathryn de Prume
    • Helen
    Nora Dunn
    Nora Dunn
    • Mary Jane
    Nicole Gian
    Nicole Gian
    • Claudine
    John Glover
    John Glover
    • Ogden
    • Director
      • David Beaird
    • Writer
      • David Beaird
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      During the standoff at the store, the gun Max is holding jumps from one hand to the other.
    • Quotes

      Max Bright: [first lines - serene temple setting] There is a Zen saying: the true Buddhist will gladly jump into hell in order to save another human being.

      [abrupt transition to noisy domestic dispute]

    • Soundtracks
      I'm a Hog for You
      Performed by Guy Forsyth

      Written by Jerry Lister & Mike Stoller

    User reviews28

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Unexpected and compelling film.
    A plot synopsis of this film has been provided by at least one other reviewer, so I'll skip that. What was striking and refreshing about the film was its refusal to get psychological. I don't think anyone can watch this--especially the first 15 minutes--without wondering where Max's incredible anger comes from. It would have been tempting for the writer/director to include some sort of exposition of his childhood and/or his relationship with his mother and other women, either as flashback or monologue. Instead, what you see is what you get. Max is infantile and uncivilized (as the title implies) and no bones are made about it.

    Still it's tempting to speculate. For example, one wonders if his life became chaotic after the loss of his initial girlfriend--the one we get a very good look at in the beginning--or if it was always like that. Does the absence of unconditional love throw his life into nihilistic disarray, or does he just require a girlfriend to keep his house clean? Why does Mei-Ling accept him twice, the second time after he's humiliated her horribly*? Does she see a big teddy bear in there or is she taking him on as a project? I see this as a strength of the film. Too much psychologizing feels like condescension. "Here. Let me explain every motive the characters have because I'm sure you're not sharp enough to think about them on your own." This is an excellent and powerful film, which ultimately imparts a sense of tenderness and peace without ever becoming mawkish.

    *After having thought about it and, thanks to comments from other viewers, I have a theory about this question. If a Buddhist would enter hell in order to save another person from it, Mei-Ling continued to accept Max in order to take his place in hell. Perhaps the Buddhists know that such an act will redeem them both.
    helpful•9
    2
    • shrinks
    • Oct 30, 2005

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 28, 2007 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sex & Violence
    • Production company
      • Sneak Preview Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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