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The Civilization of Maxwell Bright

  • 20052005
  • RR
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
521
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
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.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
521
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • David Beaird
  • Writer
    • David Beaird
  • Stars
    • Patrick Warburton
    • Marie Matiko
    • Simon Callow
Top credits
  • Director
    • David Beaird
  • Writer
    • David Beaird
  • Stars
    • Patrick Warburton
    • Marie Matiko
    • Simon Callow
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more 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 Brightas Max Bright
    Marie Matiko
    Marie Matiko
    • Mai Lingas Mai Ling
    Simon Callow
    Simon Callow
    • Mr. Wrothas Mr. Wroth
    Austin Pendleton
    Austin Pendleton
    • Jauriceas Jaurice
    Jennifer Tilly
    Jennifer Tilly
    • Dr. O'Shannonas Dr. O'Shannon
    Kurt Fuller
    Kurt Fuller
    • Berdetteas Berdette
    Eric Roberts
    Eric Roberts
    • Arlisas Arlis
    Keith Diamond
    Keith Diamond
    • Jacksonas Jackson
    Rick Mali
    • Timoas Timo
    Constance Hsu
    • Mrs. Wrothas Mrs. Wroth
    Bryan Clark
    • Justice of the Peaceas Justice of the Peace
    Erryn Cleaver
    • Erin the Makeup Artistas Erin the Makeup Artist
    Monique Coppola
    Monique Coppola
    • Gabby Clientas Gabby Client
    • (scenes deleted)
    Leland Crooke
    Leland Crooke
    • Buddy DeHareas Buddy DeHare
    Cathryn de Prume
    Cathryn de Prume
    • Helenas Helen
    Nora Dunn
    Nora Dunn
    • Mary Janeas Mary Jane
    Nicole Gian
    Nicole Gian
    • Claudineas Claudine
    John Glover
    John Glover
    • Ogdenas Ogden
    • Director
      • David Beaird
    • Writer
      • David Beaird
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    After a series of bad relationships, a man orders a mail order bride and receives more than he bargained for.
    • male full frontal nudity
    • character name in title
    • mail order bride
    • interracial marriage
    • death of husband
    • 27 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Some men were never meant to marry...
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong language including sexual references, some sexuality and graphic nudity
    • Parents guide

    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 reviews26

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Surprisingly good
    The movie starts out with a long shot of a nun meditating at a temple and a voice-over: "A good Buddhist would be willing to jump into hell to save just one other person." Then it cuts to a picture of a Southern California town with a big caption: "HELL".

    I thought this movie was going to be an amusing comedy about a boor who gets his expectations of a submissive, doll-like mail-order bride turned upside down. He does, but rather than being comedic this movie is dramatic and touching. Maxwell Bright starts out as a guy who is self-destructing and losing everything in life - his business, his friends, his house, his self-image. He thinks he can buy a "geisha girl" who will prop up his ego, but what he gets is a quietly strong woman who both makes him realize what humiliating depths he's sunk to, and pulls him out of them.

    It seems like a low-budget production because the camera work is a bit choppy and the pacing is terrible - slow bits should be fast and fast bits should be slow - but the writing and acting are great.
    helpful•8
    1
    • megabigblur
    • Apr 7, 2009

    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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